Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
I did not find the 2020 Gypsy Queen checklist to be all that thrilling, but I was happy to see Gio Urshela in there. Last season Gio hit .314/.355/.534 with 21 HR–good for a 133 OPS+ and 3.9 WAR. That, coupled with his plus defense…he has the potential to be[…]
Oliver Perez has been in the league for 17 seasons–that is a long time for a pitcher. He has had a very nice late-career resurgence with the Indians. In the last couple of seasons, he has been one of the more dependable arms in the Tribe pen. Over the last two seasons, he has pitched 73 innings in relief, allowing only 55 hits while striking out 91. Good for a 2.84 ERA/161 ERA+/1.014 WHIP.
Nick Wittgren was drafted by the Marlins in the 9th round of the 2012 draft out of Perdue University. He twice ranked as one of the Marlins Top 30 prospects (#18 in 2013, #26 in 2015) Wittgren made the majors 2016 with Florida and over the next three seasons proved[…]
Aaron Civale had an impressive rookie season in 2019 for the Cleveland Indians, going 3-4 with a 2.34 ERA/1.040 WHIP–good for an OPS+ of 202. He did not strike out a ton of guys, only 46 in 57.2 innings, but he also only gave up 44 hits. His success should[…]
Tony Wolters was a very well thought of prospect moving up through the Indians system. From 2010-2014 he ranked as one of the Indian’s top prospects–as high as #8 in 2010. He as kind of a cool prospect since he could handle playing catcher or any middle infield position, which[…]
The Indians are not unique in having a deep stable of failed pitching prospects. Here is a list of the guys that I can think of off the top of my head: #1. Chuck Lofgren (2004 4th round, #2 prospect in 2006 and 2007) #2. Jeremy Sowers (2004 1st round,[…]
Trayce Thompson was a very well thought of prospect for the White Sox. From 2009-2015 he consistently rated one of their top prospects, ranking as high as #2 following the 2012 season. He made the majors in 2015 and held his own over 122 at-bats. But the White Sox traded[…]
I got this autograph in 2014 while Reyes was with the Padres Low-A team. Franmi Reyes has pop. Since making the majors with the Padres in 2018 he has gotten 755 at-bats in the majors and has hit .260/.321/.507 with 53 HR. This past summer, after being traded to the[…]
Everyone talks about Nolan Jones, but I think Tyler Freeman is the better Indians prospect. He split the 2019 season between Low-A Lake Country and High-A Lynchburg and hit well at both stops. .306/.368/.410 with 3 HR and 19 stolen bases Unlike Nolan, Freeman’s biggest issue is power. He just[…]
I like Jordan Luplow. Years ago I wrote him a letter asking for an autograph. Instead of sending me back a signed card, he jammed a used batting glove into an envelope. That was a curveball. When I found out he was traded to the Tribe I was pretty happy.[…]