Keep An Eye On…

One feature of this blog will be the “keep an eye on….” series. It highlights prospects that fans should be keeping an eye on. Typically, prospects featured won’t currently be on most mainstream top 100 lists or most mainstream team top 10 lists.

CARLOS RIVERO, SS, CLEVELAND INDIANS

Rivero, 20, was signed in 2005 as a non-drafted free agent from Venezuela.

He’s had a fair amount of success throughout his brief minor league career, but he could be poised for a breakthrough season in 2009.

He played for A-Kinston last year and appeared to make big strides in the second half.

Before the all-star break, Rivero hit .263/.310/.343 in 198 AB. After the break, he was a different player and had a .300/.371/.474 line in 213 AB.

Seven of his eight home runs came after the break and his plate discipline tightened up significantly as well. He had a 12/47 BB/K before the break and a 24/37 ratio after it.

Rivero figures to be the starting shortstop for AA-Akron this year and he will not turn 21 until late May. He has moved along quickly for someone his age and could be the recipient of a lot more attention a year from now.