(5.31.13) Moncrief looking to hone standout tools, fulfill dream

Like most 20-somethings, Akron Aeros outfielder Carlos Moncrief enjoys playing video games, especially MLB The Show. He does not create himself in the game, though; instead he thinks about what could be.

“Every time I look at the Indians’ lineup,” Moncrief said. “I just hope that I’m in there one year, and I’ll play with the Indians all the time when I get in the lineup.”

The 24-year-old is not in Cleveland yet, though he is getting close. Moncrief is in Double-A for the first time this season as an outfielder five years after being drafted as a pitcher. Injuries ended his pitching career, but Moncrief has successfully made the transition to the outfield.

Moncrief does not bother Akron’s pitchers with his own personal advice, preferring to take over games with his all-around ability in the field and at the plate. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 31, 2013

 

(5.31.13) Around The Farm: May 30, 2013

Around the Farm takes a quick look at some of yesterday’s performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday’s game. 

Jeremy Hermida (DH, Columbus): 4-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Hermida gave Columbus its only run Thursday night with his solo home run, but the importance of his outing goes much deeper than that. The 29-year-old former top prospect is trying to resuscitate his career in Triple-A and is doing a good job so far. He has nine home runs in his first 49 games, owns a .262/.412/.483 line, and is walking a ton (19.9 BB%). Granted, Hermida is also striking out quite a bit (24.5 K%), but it is a tradeoff worth making. The big league roster is pretty flexible right now, but as anyone who reads IBI regularly knows, Hermida has positioned himself as one of the first options for Cleveland should a need arise. He is not flashy, but Hermida seems worthy of a look so far in 2013. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 31, 2013

 

(5.30.13) Aguilar, Moncrief’s late-inning heroics give Aeros 15-inning win

AKRON, OH — Down 2-1 in the ninth inning, first baseman Jesus Aguilar tied the game with an opposite field home run, just out of right fielder Steven Souza Jr.’s reach at the “It’s A Whole New Ballgame” sign.

After the two teams went six more innings, it almost literally was.

The Akron Aeros (24-30) won 3-2 Thursday night in 15 innings, defeating the Harrisburg Senators (27-27) on a bases-loaded walk-off single by right fielder Carlos Moncrief. Manager Edwin Rodriguez was proud of his team for the extra inning win, but would have been happy win or lose. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 30, 2013

 

(5.30.13) Around The Farm: May 29, 2013

Around the Farm takes a quick look at some of yesterday’s performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday’s game. 

Shawn Morimando (SP, Carolina): W (3-5), 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 SO

Sometimes pitchers seem to just put everything together. With a fairly problematic 34:25 SO:BB in 51.0 innings so far in 2013, it is not quite time to anoint Morimando the next big thing, but he is turning some heads. The left-hander has struggled from time to time in 2013, but when he is on, things have looked very good. Over his last three starts, Morimando has 17 strikeouts, four walks, and three runs allowed (two earned) in 17.0 innings, a really good run for the 20-year-old. Of course, that ignores the 14 runs allowed (12 earned) in his 14.0 innings before that, but the point is that Morimando is capable of overpowering the opposition. Morimando should spend the entire season in High-A, so hopefully the left-hander will be able to establish some consistency throughout the rest of 2013. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 30, 2013

 

(5.28.13) Launching off with the Aeros: 5/21/13 – 5/27/13

The Akron Aeros stumbled over the past week, dropping five of seven games and falling to a 22-29 record. After the team’s recent string of losses, the Aeros are 10 games behind the Erie SeaWolves and only 1.5 games ahead of the last-place Altoona Curve.

Before heading out on the road, manager Edwin Rodriguez reiterated his belief that his team needs to focus on taking it one day at a time.

“If they take that approach,” Rodriguez said. “Not only to their game but to their career, chances are it will improve their chances to play in the big leagues because it’s a long season and if you start worrying about what’s going to happen a week from now, you’re going to go crazy.”

There is no way to know if the Aeros made sure to take it one day at a time or not, but either way, the team needs to turn things around starting tonight with a three-game homestand against the Harrisburg Senators. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 28, 2013

 

(5.25.13) IBI Digest: 5/18/13 – 5/25/13

As we come up to Memorial Day, Cleveland is still in contention, the weather is nice (if a little cold these past few days), and Indians Baseball Insider is keeping you up to date with all the information you need.

Have a great Memorial Day, remember the sacrifices of people in the armed forces, and enjoy a little time off.

Here are all of the pieces that went up on IBI over the past week: Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 25, 2013

 

(5.24.13) Urshela is focused on baseball and improving every day

When asked if he has any hobbies outside of baseball, Akron Aeros third baseman Giovanny Urshela said no.

The focus is all on baseball for Urshela.

The 21-year-old infielder is swinging the bat well, hitting .275 in his first 39 games at the Double-A level. Urshela’s on-base percentage is lagging behind, however, as he tries to work on his pitch selection. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 24, 2013

 

(5.24.13) Around The Farm: May 23, 2013

Around the Farm takes a quick look at some of yesterday’s performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday’s game.

Note that Carolina was rained out last night.

Carlos Moncrief (RF, Akron): 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 SO

Moncrief has so much talent and the ability to take over games and he did that again Wednesday. He mentioned after the game that his home run was the one at bat he wasn’t trying to hit a home run, proving once again that baseball is a funny sport. The right fielder still has plenty of work to do on utilizing that talent on a game-to-game basis, but when things are clicking, it is impressive to watch. You can’t rush the 24-year-old adjusting to the Double-A level, but hopefully he will make the jump throughout the summer, as Moncrief’s time pitching is working against him. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 24, 2013

 

(5.23.13) Around The Farm: May 22, 2013

Around the Farm takes a quick look at some of yesterday’s performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday’s game. 

Note that Columbus was off Wednesday night.

Dorssys Paulino (SS, Lake County): 3-for-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 E

Would it be wholly irresponsible to declare Paulino’s season-long slump over after one impressive day? Of course. Is it possible that we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel? I think so. As much as Paulino has struggled so far at Lake County in 2013, there is one very important thing to remember: Paulino does not turn 19 until November. People his age are typically preparing to go to prom and walk at their high school graduation, not putting in work in Low-A ball. Sure, Paulino has had a rough go of things so far and only has five extra-base hits after two Wednesday morning, but things are going to get better. His manager said that Paulino is making adjustments and striking the ball harder (hat tip to Stephanie Metzger and her upcoming feature on Paulino on that one) and maybe this is the start of that. We shall see. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 23, 2013

 

(5.22.13) Myers’ rough start sets stage for 7-5 loss to Baysox

AKRON, OH — The Bowie Baysox (22-21) struck early against right-hander Brett Myers and the Akron Aeros (20-26) Wednesday night, coming away with a 7-5 victory and a chance at a four-game sweep Thursday morning at Canal Park.

Pitching for the second time during his major league rehab assignment, Myers (0-1, 3.68 ERA, 6.88 FIP) managed to rebound after a rough first inning. All three of Myers’ runs came in that first inning — including a two-run home run by designated hitter Caleb Joseph — though the veteran managed to calm down after that.

Manager Edwin Rodriguez felt that Myers did a great job of adjusting throughout the game. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, May 22, 2013