Eight Headed To Arizona Fall League

The Indians will be sending eight players from their minor-league organization to the Arizona Fall League. Play will begin Oct. 13. All eight of the players have been with the Class AA Akron Aeros this summer. Former Indians third baseman David Bell will be their manager with the Peoria Saguaros. Jim Rickon, hitting coach of the Class A Lake County Captains, will serve in that capacity in the AFL.

Going to the Saguaros will be right-handers Connor Graham, Josh Judy, Zach Putnam and Carlton Smith; infielders Josh Rodriguez and Carlos Rivero; outfielder Nick Weglarz and Matt McBride, a former catcher who has been playing first base and the outfield.

Graham is 1-3 with a 5.08 ERA in six games including five starts for the Aeros since being acquired July 23 from the Colorado Rockies in a trade for veteran reliever Rafael Betancourt. Including his time before the trade with Modesto of the Class A California League, Graham is 8-7 with a 3.64 ERA in 22 games, only one in relief. In 108 2-3 innings, he has given up 94 hits and 58 walks, striking out 115.

Judy has converted his last six save opportunities since replacing the injured Vinnie Pestanos as Akron's closer. He has struck out 23 over his last 13 1-3 innings. Overall in 36 games, including five at Class A Kinston to open the season, Judy is 4-3 with 11 saves, a 3.12 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 49 innings, with 39 hits allowed and only 17 walks.

Putnam made five starts at Kinston before being promoted to Akron and used exclusively in relief. In 34 games overall, including 29 out of Akron's bullpen, he is 6-2 with a 4.48 ERA and two saves. He has given up 78 hits and 22 walks while striking out 71 in 74 1-3 innings.

Smith, moved to relief, has had a good season out of the bullpen. In 34 games including two starts for Akron, he is 4-2 with a 2.69 ERA and three saves. In 73 2-3 innings, he has given up 62 hits and 20 walks, striking out 35.

Rodriguez was activated Aug. 18 after missing 101 games with a right hamstring injury. He is batting .250 (17-for-68) with two doubles, 13 runs and five RBI. Considered one of the Indians' top infield prospects, he needs to get as much playing time as possible this fall after being sidelined for so long.

A year ago, McBride made the transition from catcher to playing first base and the outfield while playing winter ball in Hawaii. The move was made after he he had surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder.

He opened this season by hitting .405 (51-for-126) at Kinston and was moved up to Akron on May 11. In 119 games overall, McBride is having a superb season with 40 doubles, 18 homers, 93 RBI and a .290 average.

Rivero has hit .235 (103-for-438) with 20 doubles, two triples, seven homers and 48 RBI in 121 games as Akron's starting shortstop. In August, he has .289 with five doubles, three homers and 12 RBI.

Weglarz was selected as the Eastern League Player of the Week on May 18 and again on June 29and was also a member of the World's team in the Future's Game. He also played in the Eastern League All-Star Game.

Weglarz played for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic during spring training, then opened his first season at Double-A in a terrible slump. He hit only .089 the entire month of April and is currently slumping again -- with only four hits in 40 at-bats in August. Overall, hee's hitting just .227, but does have 17 doubles, 16 homers and 65 RBI in 105 games.