Thomas Neal

Neal came over to the Indians in a midseason trade for Orlando Cabrera but didn't get much of a chance to open eyes in his new organization due to a hand injury. He struggled again last year (.289/.343/.391 at Triple-A for the Giants and Indians) and hasn't been able to recapture the form of his breakout season at High-A back in 2009. The Indians are looking for some help at first base so it will be interesting to see if he gets any reps there in spring training but his primary focus needs to be on recapturing some of the luster he's lost the previous two seasons.

Neal followed up a big season in High-A at age 21 in 2009 (1.010 OPS) with a disappointing campaign last year, posting a .291/.359/.440 line at Double-A. His stock as one of the team's best prospects has a taken a hit, and it's clear he needs far more seasoning in the minor leagues. Neal will have to show marked improvement to see time in Triple-A in 2011.

Neal had a big season at High-A San Jose, hitting .337 with 22 homers, 90 RBI and 102 runs scored over just 475 at-bats. Both his strikeout and walk rates improved, and since he put up those numbers as just a 22-year-old, he’s fast becoming a legitimate prospect. Of course, he’s still a long way away from making an impact in San Francisco. Look for Neal to move up to Double-A Connecticut in 2010.