Time for a break from the major-leaguers, at least until they start playing like major-leaguers.
These two pitchers are both part of the Lake County rotation, although that’s where the similarities end.
18. LHP Dan Cevette
How Acquired: 2002 Draft (3rd Round)
High School: Elkland HS, Pennsylvania
ETA: 2008
Year | League | Age | IP | ERA | H/9 | W/9 | SO/9 |
2002 | R+ | 18 | 52 | 4.67 | 9.00 | 5.37 | 6.23 |
2003 | R+ | 19 | 57.1 | 3.45 | 9.10 | 4.55 | 7.53 |
2003 | SSA | 19 | 7.2 | 8.22 | 16.43 | 5.87 | 3.52 |
2004 | SSA | 20 | 36 | 1.25 | 6.00 | 1.50 | 9.75 |
2004 | A- | 20 | 43.2 | 2.47 | 8.86 | 2.89 | 8.45 |
Until this year, the Indians have kept Dan in mostly short-season leagues, waiting patiently for his frame to fill out and for him to learn how to pitch. Last year in Mahoning Valley, Cevette finally was able to control his pitches, and his stuff did the rest. Towards the end of the year he was promoted to Lake County, where he held his own. Cevette throws in the low 90s, but his best pitch is his curveball. The Indians are conservative with young arms, but I can realistically see Dan in Kinston by July if all goes well. There’s a lot of upside here.
17. RHP Justin Hoyman
How Acquired: 2004 Draft (2nd Round)
College: Florida
ETA: 2007
Year | League | Age | IP | ERA | H/9 | W/9 | SO/9 |
2004 | SSA | 22 | 13 | 2.08 | 6.23 | 2.77 | 5.54 |
Hoyman is a polished pitcher, and I think the Indians probably slotted him too low by starting him in Lake County. Hoyman had an interesting journey to professional baseball; his community college shut down after the 9/11 attacks (because tourism revenue dried up), and he got a scholarship at the University of Florida. Before his junior season, he put on 30 pounds, which increased his velocity by about 5 mph. He pitched well in a tough conference, and was rated by The Hardball Times as the third best pitcher in the college baseball. He’s 23, so he has to move quickly. Not much upside, but he can be a decent starter in the majors. Hoyman’s calling card is a heavy sinker, so think of him as Jake Westbrook Lite.