Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
If I was going to get excited about a player that is years away from the majors, I could do worse than shortstop Welbyn Francisca. In early 2023 the Guards signed him out of the Dominican Republic, where he was considered one of the top 50 international free agents.
My fantasy team needed some help in the infield in late June, and the Padre’s Ha-Seong Kim was available as a free agent, so I jumped. It was a good call.
Brooks Lee was the 34th overall pick of the 2023 draft out of Cal Poly. I was lucky enough to get his autograph last season when Cal Poly came and played Hawaii. He was very cool and was happy to sign.
From the Collection: Randy Johnson, sp, Arizona Diamondbacks … Fun fact! In 1998, Cleveland almost traded for Randy Johnson. The rotation of Bartolo Colon, Dave Burba, Jaret Wright, Charles Nagy, and Dwight Gooden was not one that was going to take them on a deep playoff run. Johnson, at the[…]
Infielder Juan Brito is having a fantastic first season in the Cleveland organization. On the season he is hitting .292/.406/.449 with 5 HR between High-A and AA.
Junior outfielder Travis Honeyman had a solid season for Boston College in 2023, hitting .304/.383/.534 with 6 HR.
This is an exciting one. Caden Grice @cadengrice had an amazing 2023 season with Clemson. As a hitter, he put up a line of .307/.411/.618 with a team-leading 18 HR. As a pitcher, he went 8-1 with a 3.35 ERA and struck out 101 in only 78 IP. He is[…]
I am still, five years later, upset that Cleveland traded Yandy Diaz. Someday, I really hope that we learn the real reason why they decided to trade him away. I don’t really buy the glove and launch angle thing.
… New Arrival: Nick Wolff, c, Texas A&M-Kingsville … Monday found a fun late-season surprise show up in my mailbox: Texas A&M-Kingsville’s catcher Nick Wolff. Wolff, a junior, had an amazing season with the Javelinas, hitting .406/.479/.755 with 13 HR. Those are great numbers, and even better when you remember[…]
Baltimore Orioles third base prospect Jordan Westburg is tearing it up in AAA, hitting .309/.384/.608 with 15 HR. The fact that he is performing so well is not a surprise to anyone. He was Baltimore’s 1st round pick in 2020 (30th overall), and opened the 2023 season as the organization’s #6 prospect.