Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
Pitcher Carl Pavano was ranked one of the Top 10 prospects in baseball coming into the 1998 season. While he would never quite live up to that lofty billing, he did have some very nice seasons during his 14-year career.
Tony Horton made the majors in 1964 with the Boston Red Sox. While the Red Sox considered him a legit prospect, he struggled to find playing time behind another promising rookie, George Scott. So in June 1967 the Red Sox, in contention and in need of pitching, traded Horton and Don Demeter to Cleveland for Gary Bell.
Eddie Murray spent 21-seasons in the big leagues. Three of those seasons, in the twilight of his career, came with Cleveland. They were good too. In 1995, at the age of 39, he would hit .323/.375/.516 with 21 HR, good for a 129 OPS+.
Nellie Rodriguez was drafted by Cleveland in the 15th round of the 2012 draft. From 2014-2017 Rodriguez was one of the Tribe’s Top 30 prospects–almost totally based on his plus power.
I always forget what a good prospect Lonnie Chisenhall was. In 2010 he was ranked the #31 overall prospect in baseball, and the next season he moved up to #25.
Collectors Choice. I am not sure why, but they are some of my favorite looking cards of the 90’s, and assuming the photo works, some of my favorite cards to get signed.
Bryan Lavastida (2018, 15th round) is one of my favorite prospects in the Cleveland system. This past season he hit .289/.380/.456 with 9 HR between across three levels, which included 19 at-bats in AAA. The Guards thought enough of his season to add him to the 40-man last month. Good[…]
Josh Tomlin was Cleveland’s 19th round pick in 2006 draft. He has had a pretty good career, spending 12-seasons in the big leagues with Cleveland and Atlanta. Excellent control, less excellent stuff, Tomlin is a classic 4th or 5th starter who will shine on occassion. His biggest strength has always[…]
Aaron Cunningham was quite a prospect while in the minors. He was one of the Top 10 prospects of both White Sox (#7 in 2007), and Diamondbacks (#7 in 2008), and in 2009 was rated the 55th best prospect in baseball. If its any gauge, he was part of the[…]
Jose Tena is one Cleveland’s biggest prospects coming into the 2022 season. He opened the season as the Guardians #20 overall prospect Tena spent the season in High-A, and as one of the youngest players in the league hit .281/.331/.467 with 16 HR. Then, in the Arizona Fall League, he[…]