Nick Weglarz

Weglarz finally began to turn some of his raw talent into on-field results, hitting a combined .285/.390/.503 between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. His "speed" can be categorized as somewhere between continental drift and Congressional reform so it's unlikely he'll be able to stick as a left fielder. He's got the size (6-3, 240) and control of the strike zone to hit for power, but continues to deal with injuries. He'll need to shed that label if he wants to take the next step up. He figures to see most of his time at Triple-A this season.

Weglarz's first exposure to Double-A Akron was hit-and-miss, an appropriate debut given his career. He's got enough power and patience to punish a fastball, but he strikes out too much. Jim Thome and others have made a career out of that at the major league level, but it's a problem when you're trying to develop as a prospect. A .227/.377/.431 season is a bit troublesome, no matter how raw of a prospect you may be. He's prone to long slumps but was added to the team's 40-man roster this winter so the Indians recognize his potential. The 22-year-old has time on his side and has been promoted aggressively, but he may repeat Double-A to start the season.

It wasn't the huge step forward that some were expecting but Weglarz held his own as a 20-year old at High-A. After hitting 23 homers in 2007 he hit just 10 homers last season and that bears watching as his ability to dent outfield seats is his main calling card. He's got time on his side and the size (6-foot-3) and batting eye to put it all together and have a breakout season at Double-A in 2009.

Sleeper alert. The 19-year-old from Canada bounced back from missing most of 2006 (broken hand) with an excellent season at Low-A. He strikes out a bunch (131 times in 446 at-bats) but draws enough walks (82) to make you think the power will stay as he moves up the chain. He'll never hit for a very high average but probably has the most raw power of anyone in the Cleveland organization. Odds are he's headed to first base eventually, but the Indians may see if he can't develop into something just shy of a defensive liability in left field before making a permanent switch. He's got the bat to carry him wherever he winds up, and will begin the season at High-A.