Francisco Lindor

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #1 prospect in 2015
  Lindor's star was first born when his youth teams won 8- and 9-year old Puerto Rican championships. However, he and his father Miguel had designs on Francisco having a pro career from early on, which motivated the family to relocate to Florida when Lindor was 12, seeking to find him better competition. He settled at Montverde (Fla.) Academy, an international boarding school, and went on to a standout prep career, starring with USA Baseball's 16U national team. Lindor served as team captain for the American squad that won gold at the 2009 World Youth Championships in Taiwan . The Indians hadn't taken a high school player in the first round since 2001 but broke from tradition to select Lindor eighth overall in 2011, signing him for $2.9 million. Just 17 years old at the time he was drafted, he has consistently performed despite being young for his league throughout his time in the minors. He was the youngest position player to play in the Triple-A International League in 2014, yet held his own following his promotion from Double-A Akron in late July . There are plusses almost everywhere with Lindor, both in terms of his tools and his intangibles. At the plate, he takes line-drive swings and makes consistent hard contact to all fields. He has outstanding hand-eye coordination and feel for the strike zone, which along with his speed allows his hit tool to play up. A switch-hitter since age 13, he's a little more comfortable from the right side--his natural side--but the club is confident he'll be a factor from both sides of the plate. Power is the one tool that won't be Lindor's forte, though he did show more of it last season than ever before. He got noticeably stronger in the weight room and worked to get in better hitting positions to tap more into his strength. He would at times get caught up in trying to pull the ball, but for the most part he shows an understanding of how pitchers want to attack him and what pitches he can drive. He has all the tools to be an above-average shortstop, with smooth hands and a strong arm. He has a knack for anticipation and the firststep quickness to always be in the right place at the right time. The team has long been enamored of his work ethic and leadership qualities. Jose Ramirez played well enough at shortstop down the stretch for Cleveland in 2014 that the team doesn't feel it necessarily has to hand the job to Lindor for Opening Day. So even though he may open the year back at Columbus, he'll certainly make his big league debut at some point in 2015, barring injury. Whenever he does take over at shortstop for the Indians, he should stay there for years to come.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #1 prospect in 2014
  Lindor gained minor fame as a youth in Puerto Rico, where his local all-star teams won 8- and 9-year-old national championships, and the mayor of his hometown of Caguas honored him as the town's player of the year. Seeking better competition than he could find on the island, Lindor's family enrolled him at Montverde (Fla.) Academy at age 12. He went on to star on the high school showcase circuit and for USA Baseball's 16U national team, for which he served as captain and won a gold medal at the 2009 World Youth Championships in Taiwan. Lindor even scored the winning run in the ninth inning of the gold-medal game as Team USA rallied back from a 5-1 deficit to beat Cuba 7-6. The Indians made Lindor the first high schooler they'd taken in the first round since 2001 when they snagged him No. 8 overall in 2011, signing him for $2.9 million. A precocious talent, he wasn't out of his element as the second-youngest everyday player in the high Class A Carolina League in 2013. After hitting .306/.373/.410 for Carolina, Lindor moved up to Double-A Akron in July and was the youngest position player to play in the Eastern League. Lindor brings everything to the table with his tools, instincts and makeup. He'll fit more as a No. 1 or 2 hitter in a future big league lineup rather than as a run-producer, but there's very little he can't do. He has a compact swing from both sides of the plate and drives balls to all fields. Raw power is the only tool where he's not above-average, but he could still be a threat to hit 15 homers once he fills out. He does have a little more power from the right side that would sometimes cause his righthanded swing to get bigger, but he did a better job of keeping it more consistent in 2013. Lindor has an uncanny feel for the strike zone, especially for his age. He rarely chases bad pitches or gives away at-bats, drawing more walks than he had strikeouts across two levels last year. Though he's still polishing the small-ball aspects of his game, such as bunting and stealing, he's an intelligent baserunner with above-average speed. Lindor shines even brighter on defense, where he has the potential to be a Gold Glove shortstop. Beyond just his soft hands and above-average arm, Lindor has an advanced feel for anticipating plays. He slows the game down and always plays under control. His work ethic is second to none as well, as he doesn't just settle with getting by on talent and is driven to be a complete player. The only areas for improvement for Lindor at this stage are adding a bit more strength and gaining more experience against upper-level pitchers. With Asdrubal Cabrera's contract expiring after the 2014 season, Lindor is right on schedule to be the Indians' Opening Day shortstop in 2015. He'll begin the 2014 season back in Akron, but if he shows he's ready, Cleveland may ring in the Lindor era sooner than later.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #1 prospect in 2013
  Lindor moved to the United States from Puerto Rico at age 12. He rose to prominence in 2009 as the captain of a Team USA squad that captured the gold medal at the 16-and-under World Championship in Taiwan, batting .500 in 11 games. He continued to boost his stock with a strong summer showcase tour in 2010, including a shocking win in the Aflac All-American Game's home run derby at Petco Park. Known for typically college-heavy drafts, the Indians drafted Lindor with the eighth overall pick in 2011, making him their first prep first-rounder since Dan Denham and Alan Horne in 2001. Lindor signed for $2.9 million, the biggest bonus Cleveland ever has given a position player or high school draftee. The youngest everyday player in the low Class A Midwest League in his first pro season in 2012, he stood out not only for his tools but also for his remarkable maturity as an 18-year-old. He batted .333 in the playoffs as Lake County reached the semifinals. An excellent athlete, Lindor is one of the best defensive shortstops in the minors. In addition to above-average defensive tools, he has phenomenal instincts. He knows how to position himself and always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. He gets great reads off the bat and has terrific fundamentals. His range and arm are both better than average, and his feet and hands work well together. Lindor has a quiet, simple approach in the batter's box. He has a compact swing with good bat speed from both sides of the plate and hits line drives to all fields. His pitch-recognition skills are above average, as he shows the ability to handle offspeed pitches and lays off pitches outside the strike zone to take his walks. With his bat control, he doesn't swing and miss much. Lindor could be a plus hitter who gets on base at a high clip, though his power is more to the gaps than over the fence. He has some surprising strength in his lower half and can occasionally pull a ball over the fence, but he'll likely top out around 10-15 homers per year. He's a slightly above-average runner whose 27 steals in 2012 were somewhat of a surprise, though he needs to become more efficient after getting thrown out 12 times. The game never seems to speed up on Lindor, and seemingly everyone who comes in contact with him raves about his makeup. Indians officials marvel at the way he approaches his routine every day and never wavers from his preparation. After hitting .285/.369/.410 in the first half, he batted .228/.355/.299 in 62 games after the all-star break, so he'll need to get stronger to hold up over a full season. Lindor has the look of a future all-star shortstop. His defense is already major league caliber, while additional strength and refinement should help bring his offensive game to the next level. Ticketed for high Class A Carolina in 2013, he's the best infield prospect the franchise has had since Brandon Phillips (who was originally drafted by the Expos and obtained in the 2002 Bartolo Colon trade) and the best position prospect who was originally signed by the Indians since Victor Martinez. Lindor has a chance to get to Cleveland before he turns 21.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #1 prospect in 2012
  Born in Puerto Rico, Lindor moved to the United States at age 12 and couldn't speak English when he arrived at Montverde Academy, an international boarding school in central Florida. In 2009, he captained the U.S. 16-and-under national team that won the gold medal at the World Youth Championships in Taiwan. He hit .500 in 11 games and started laying the groundwork to become a future first-round pick. He further whetted scouts' appetites the following summer on the showcase circuit, highlighted by a surprise victory in the home run derby at the Aflac All-American Game at Petco Park. Though he played a truncated senior season because Monteverde failed to qualify for the playoffs, Lindor earned third-team All-America honors in 2011 by hitting .528 in 53 at-bats with six homers and 20 steals. The Indians drafted him eighth overall in June, the first time since 2001 they had spent a first-rounder on a high schooler. He signed at the Aug. 15 deadline for $2.9 million, the largest bonus for a prepster and for a position player in franchise history. Lindor signed too late to play much, but he did hold his own for a week with short-season Mahoning Valley. Lindor projects as a true shortstop with incredible instincts and advanced feel for the game for his age. He drew comparisons to Omar Vizquel as an amateur and was the best defensive shortstop in the 2011 draft. Lindor is a quality athlete with excellent hands, fluid actions and good footwork. He gets great reads off the bat and shows a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He has plus range with a plus arm and solid fundamentals, giving him all the ingredients to be a star defender. A switch-hitter since he was 13, Lindor has a smooth, line-drive swing and bat speed from both sides of the plate. His best approach comes when he works the ball up the middle. To be a productive offensive player, he'll have to hit for average and get on base at a good clip because his power is mostly to the gaps. He has more pop from the right side and perhaps could hit 10-15 homers per year in his prime. He has a tick above-average speed and has shown flashes of being a plus runner as he has matured and gotten stronger. While he's not a major basestealing threat, his baserunning should be another positive. He has earned rave reviews from coaches and scouts for his work ethic, maturity and dedication. Lindor will play his first full pro season at age 18, so the Indians won't rush him. He's talented enough to start 2012 in low Class A Lake County, though with his age and the bitter weather early in the Midwest League season he's not a lock to be there on Opening Day. His feel for the game should help him move quickly relative to other 2011 high school picks. Cleveland's system has a shortage of high-upside players who could develop into above-average regulars, but Lindor is an exception.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #1 prospect in 2015
  Lindor finished 2014 with a 38-game run at Columbus, and the Indians sent him back there this season to address a few areas for improvement. Team officials have publicly said they wanted Lindor to limit his defensive lapses, and sent special assistant John McDonald to work with him. They also believed the switch-hitting Lindor could do a better job from his non-natural left side. League observers say Lindor accomplished that mission by the time Cleveland called him up in June. He is a true major league shortstop, with plus range, an above-average arm and a knack for making special plays. Lindor impacted the ball better from the left side, and even though his offensive numbers didn't pop in Columbus, his line-drive stroke to all fields should yield more power down the road. He has above-average speed but still is learning the art of stealing.
• 
  Ranked International League #3 prospect in 2014
  Already considered an elite defensive shortstop, Lindor has used excellent lateral range and a strong arm to get on the fast track to Cleveland. Promoted to Columbus in late July, he did not take long to get acquainted with the speed of the Triple-A game while playing a crucial position every day for one of the IL's top teams. Lindor lets the game come to him. How much offensive impact will depend on how much power he develops. Several IL managers believe it will come as he fills out his lean frame. His compact swing from both sides of the plate and his patience working the count make him an ideal table-setter candidate. If he adds upper-body strength and hits with more power, then Lindor has the potential to be a five-tool player at a crucial position. Though not a burner, he picks his spots to steal bases. "He has great instincts for a young player," Durham manager Charlie Montoyo said. "He plays the game the right way. He was one of my favorite players to watch."
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #3 prospect in 2014
  Lindor combines his physical gifts of speed, quickness, range and a strong throwing arm with incredible instincts in the field that allow him to be in the right place at the right time. The precise angles he takes to the ball allow his arm to appear stronger than it is already. All those skills earned him the nod as the EL's best defensive shortstop. Those instincts also translate on the basepaths, where Lindor is an above-average runner who knows when and how to take the extra base, how to get the perfect lead, and the appropriate time to steal bags. He was successful at a 74-percent clip with Akron before he moved to Triple-A Columbus. Evaluators do not agree on Lindor's offensive ceiling, especially his potential for power. The switch-hitter's swing can get long at times, especially when he's trying to hit home runs. He's at his best when he lets his natural abilities work and sprays line drives to all parts of the park. No matter his output, scouts agree that Lindor's tremendous work with the glove will get him to the big leagues and keep him there.
• 
  Ranked Carolina League #1 prospect in 2013
  One year after playing as the youngest position player in the Midwest League, Lindor spent the first half of this season as the second-youngest regular in the CL at age 19. Once again, he looked more like a wily veteran than an overmatched teenager, drawing as much praise for his leadership skills and high baseball IQ as his physical tools. ?He is one of the better defenders at his age that I have seen in a while at shortstop,? Frederick manager Ryan Minor said. ?His communication and game-awareness are advanced. You always hear him talk on the field, position outfielders. And at such a young age, you don?t see that very often.? Lindor can do it all defensively. He has above-average range to both sides, soft hands and a strong arm. He addressed a need by spending considerable time working on improving his backhand with Indians special assistant Travis Fryman, the former big league third baseman. Lindor?s biggest leap forward came at the plate. A switch-hitter, he has a compact swing and barrels the ball into the gaps from both sides. He ought to hit for high average because he does a good job of taking what pitchers give him. Though not much of a power hitter presently, Lindor could enhance his home-run output as he fills out and improves his pitch recognition. He?s a solid and instinctual basestealer who takes advantage of average speed. ?He puts the barrel on the ball and drives it,? Carolina manager David Wallace said. ?Whether he becomes a home run or gap-to-gap hitter, it wouldn?t surprise me to see 15-20 home runs from him.?
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #3 prospect in 2012
  The youngest regular in the MWL, Lindor also was clearly its best defensive shortstop. He has tremendous instincts, enhancing his range to both sides, and the strong, accurate arm to make all the plays. His hands work well and he made just 18 errors in 120 games, an exceptionally low total for an 18-year-old. "He has unbelievable skills," said Fort Wayne manager Jose Valentin, a big league shortstop for 16 seasons. "It's so impressive how he approaches the game. He plays like he's been in the big leagues for 20 years. He knows how to position himself and he's always in the right spot. It's fun to watch him. He can play in Double-A right now." Lindor has the tools to contribute offensively, though he'll need to get stronger after wearing down following a .285/.369/.410 first half. He's a switch-hitter who controls the strike zone and has gap power from both sides of the plate. A solid runner, he can steal a few bases.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #9 prospect in 2015
• Ranked Baseball America's #13 prospect in 2014
• Ranked Baseball America's #28 prospect in 2013
• Ranked Baseball America's #37 prospect in 2012

• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  Lindor's star was first born when his youth teams won 8- and 9-year old Puerto Rican championships. However, he and his father Miguel had designs on Francisco having a pro career from early on, which motivated the family to relocate to Florida when Lindor was 12, seeking to find him better competition. He settled at Montverde (Fla.) Academy, an international boarding school, and went on to a standout prep career, starring with USA Baseball's 16U national team. Lindor served as team captain for the American squad that won gold at the 2009 World Youth Championships in Taiwan . The Indians hadn't taken a high school player in the first round since 2001 but broke from tradition to select Lindor eighth overall in 2011, signing him for $2.9 million. Just 17 years old at the time he was drafted, he has consistently performed despite being young for his league throughout his time in the minors. He was the youngest position player to play in the Triple-A International League in 2014, yet held his own following his promotion from Double-A Akron in late July . There are plusses almost everywhere with Lindor, both in terms of his tools and his intangibles. At the plate, he takes line-drive swings and makes consistent hard contact to all fields. He has outstanding hand-eye coordination and feel for the strike zone, which along with his speed allows his hit tool to play up. A switch-hitter since age 13, he's a little more comfortable from the right side--his natural side--but the club is confident he'll be a factor from both sides of the plate. Power is the one tool that won't be Lindor's forte, though he did show more of it last season than ever before. He got noticeably stronger in the weight room and worked to get in better hitting positions to tap more into his strength. He would at times get caught up in trying to pull the ball, but for the most part he shows an understanding of how pitchers want to attack him and what pitches he can drive. He has all the tools to be an above-average shortstop, with smooth hands and a strong arm. He has a knack for anticipation and the firststep quickness to always be in the right place at the right time. The team has long been enamored of his work ethic and leadership qualities. Jose Ramirez played well enough at shortstop down the stretch for Cleveland in 2014 that the team doesn't feel it necessarily has to hand the job to Lindor for Opening Day. So even though he may open the year back at Columbus, he'll certainly make his big league debut at some point in 2015, barring injury. Whenever he does take over at shortstop for the Indians, he should stay there for years to come.
• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Lindor moved to the United States from Puerto Rico at age 12. He rose to prominence in 2009 as the captain of a Team USA squad that captured the gold medal at the 16-and-under World Championship in Taiwan, batting .500 in 11 games. He continued to boost his stock with a strong summer showcase tour in 2010, including a shocking win in the Aflac All-American Game's home run derby at Petco Park. Known for typically college-heavy drafts, the Indians drafted Lindor with the eighth overall pick in 2011, making him their first prep first-rounder since Dan Denham and Alan Horne in 2001. Lindor signed for $2.9 million, the biggest bonus Cleveland ever has given a position player or high school draftee. The youngest everyday player in the low Class A Midwest League in his first pro season in 2012, he stood out not only for his tools but also for his remarkable maturity as an 18-year-old. He batted .333 in the playoffs as Lake County reached the semifinals. Scouting Report: An excellent athlete, Lindor is one of the best defensive shortstops in the minors. In addition to above-average defensive tools, he has phenomenal instincts. He knows how to position himself and always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. He gets great reads off the bat and has terrific fundamentals. His range and arm are both better than average, and his feet and hands work well together. Lindor has a quiet, simple approach in the batter's box. He has a compact swing with good bat speed from both sides of the plate and hits line drives to all fields. His pitch-recognition skills are above average, as he shows the ability to handle offspeed pitches and lays off pitches outside the strike zone to take his walks. With his bat control, he doesn't swing and miss much. Lindor could be a plus hitter who gets on base at a high clip, though his power is more to the gaps than over the fence. He has some surprising strength in his lower half and can occasionally pull a ball over the fence, but he'll likely top out around 10-15 homers per year. He's a slightly above-average runner whose 27 steals in 2012 were somewhat of a surprise, though he needs to become more efficient after getting thrown out 12 times. The game never seems to speed up on Lindor, and seemingly everyone who comes in contact with him raves about his makeup. Indians officials marvel at the way he approaches his routine every day and never wavers from his preparation. After hitting .285/.369/.410 in the first half, he batted .228/.355/.299 in 62 games after the all-star break, so he'll need to get stronger to hold up over a full season. The Future: Lindor has the look of a future all-star shortstop. His defense is already major league caliber, while additional strength and refinement should help bring his offensive game to the next level. Ticketed for high Class A Carolina in 2013, he's the best infield prospect the franchise has had since Brandon Phillips (who was originally drafted by the Expos and obtained in the 2002 Bartolo Colon trade) and the best position prospect who was originally signed by the Indians since Victor Martinez. Lindor has a chance to get to Cleveland before he turns 21.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Born in Puerto Rico, Lindor moved to the United States at age 12 and couldn't speak English when he arrived at Montverde Academy, an international boarding school in central Florida. In 2009, he captained the U.S. 16-and-under national team that won the gold medal at the World Youth Championships in Taiwan. He hit .500 in 11 games and started laying the groundwork to become a future first-round draft pick. Lindor further whetted scouts' appetites the following summer on the showcase circuit, which was highlighted by a surprise victory in the home run derby at the Aflac All-American Game at Petco Park. Even though he played a truncated senior season because Monteverde failed to qualify for the playoffs, Lindor earned third-team All-America honors in 2011 by hitting .528 in 53 at-bats with six homers and 20 stolen bases. The Indians drafted Lindor with the eighth overall pick in the draft in June, marking the first time since 2001 that the organization had spent a first-rounder on a high school player. Lindor signed with the Indians at the Aug. 15 signing deadline for $2.9 million, which is the largest bonus for a prepster and for a position player in franchise history. Lindor signed too late to play much, but he did hold his own for a week with short-season Mahoning Valley. Scouting Report: Lindor projects as a true shortstop with incredible baseball instincts and advanced feel for the game for his age. He drew comparisons to Omar Vizquel as an amateur and was the best defensive shortstop in the 2011 draft. Lindor is a quality athlete with excellent hands, fluid actions and good footwork at shortstop. He gets great reads off the bat and shows a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He has plus range with a plus arm and solid fundamentals, giving him all the ingredients to be a star defender. A switch-hitter since he was 13, Lindor has a smooth, line-drive swing and good bat speed from both sides of the plate. His best hitting approach comes when he works the ball up the middle. To be a productive offensive player, he'll have to hit for average and get on base at a good clip because his power is mostly to the gaps. He has more pop from the right side and perhaps could hit 10-15 homers per year in his prime. He has a tick above-average speed and at times he has shown flashes of being a plus runner as he has matured and gotten stronger. Even though he's not a major basestealing threat, his baserunning should be another positive because of his acumen. He has earned rave reviews from coaches and scouts for his work ethic, maturity and dedication. The Future: Lindor will play his first full season of professional baseball at age 18, so the Indians won't rush him through the farm system. He's talented enough to start 2012 in low Class A Lake County, though with his age and the bitter weather early in the Midwest League season he's still not a lock to be there on Opening Day. Lindor's advanced feel for playing the game should help him move quickly relative to other 2011 high school draft picks. Cleveland's system has a shortage of high-upside players who could develop into above-average regulars, but Lindor stands out from the pack as an exception.