In 2003, the Columbus RedStixx, the Indians’ Low A minor league affiliate, moved to Eastlake, Ohio and became the Lake County Captains. Since then, more than 60 former Captains have reached the major leagues. Over the next few days we’ll take a look at the top 5 position players, starters, and relievers that made a stop in Eastlake before making the major leagues. Up first is the position players.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, Third Base
Kouzmanoff hit .330 for Lake County in 2004 and had one of the best major league debuts ever as a September call-up with the Indians in 2006. Kouzmanoff hit a grand slam on the first major league pitch he saw, a feat that has only been accomplished three other times in major league history. After the 2006 season, he was traded to San Diego for Josh Barfield and spent three seasons with the Padres. Kouzmanoff bounced around Oakland, Colorado, and a few minor league systems before his final season with the Texas Rangers in 2014. He finished his career with a .257 average, 87 homeruns, and 371 RBI.
Ben Francisco, Outfield
Francisco was on the roster of the Captains’ inaugural season in 2003 and broke into the majors in 2007 with the Tribe. He spent three years in Cleveland, then was shipped to Philly along with Cy Young winner Cliff Lee in the deal that brought Carlos Carrasco to the Indians. Francisco largely came off the bench in three seasons with Philadelphia, with his most memorable moment being a 3-run game-winning home run in Game 3 of the 2011 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals. After stints with the Rays, Yankees, Houston, and Toronto, Francisco finished his career in 2013 with a .253 average, 50 HR and 190 RBI.
Roberto Perez, Catcher
Perez spent part of 2009 and all of 2010 with the Captains. He hit a home run in his Tribe debut in July of 2014 and has grown to become a solid backup catcher behind Yan Gomes. Perez has a career .235 batting average, but boasts a .992 fielding percentage and a 41% caught stealing rate in his three years with the Indians. Unfortunately, Perez broke his thumb on April 30 and is currently on the 60-day Disabled List as he recovers.
Jose Ramirez, Infielder/Outfielder
Ramirez played for Lake County in 2012 and found himself in the big leagues a year later as a September call-up with Cleveland. Ramirez shuttled back and forth from AAA Columbus for a while, and was the Opening Day starting shortstop in 2015, but now has settled in to a super utility role with the Tribe, seeing time at second, third, shortstop, and left field. Ramirez led the AL in sacrifice bunts in 2014 and is batting .315 this year with 3 homeruns and 19 RBI.
Francisco Lindor, Shortstop
Lindor was Ramirez’s Captains teammate in 2012 and quickly made his way through the minors as one of the Tribe’s top prospects. Since he was called up in June of last year, he has lived up to the expectations. Lindor finished second in 2015 AL Rookie of the Year voting to fellow star shortstop Carlos Correa, has a career .308 batting average so far, and has been absolutely stellar in the field. He owns a .978 fielding percentage, but there still hasn’t been a stat created that could measure the ridiculously difficult plays at shortstop that he makes look routine on a nightly basis. Lindor has a good shot to make his first of many All Star teams this season and will be a welcome sight to Tribe fans for years to come.
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