Rating the top 10 MOST IMPORTANT breakout prospects this season

OK, let's be honest.   The guys we need to have break out are either on the 25-man roster, on the DL/extended spring training limbo waiting to get on the 25 man roster.

We really need guys like Greg Allen, Max Moroff, Erik Stamets and Jordan Luplow to break out.

However, we also need guys in the high level of the minors to break out so that they can be useable pieces later this year instead of us having to give up prospects just to get rental guys back.

One thing I want to make perfectly clear before we start:  I am not advocating ANY of these guys (or ANY of our prospects, for that matter) to break out so we can use them as July trade bait to bring in another 2-3 month rental while trading away the future to do that.

So let's take a look at the guys I think need to break out this year, get to the majors and then be productive for the major league team to be successful this season and, if they make the playoffs, be successful there.

1, Bobby Bradley - If there is a single guy in the minors who, if he breaks out this year, will significantly lessen the need for the Indians to make a July trade it is Bradley.   If he breaks out this year and carries that success to the majors, we will have the additional power bat we need in our lineup.  BTW, it would also work if Nellie Rodriguez went all Jesus Aguilar this year for the Indians.

2. Aaron Civale - We will need more than 5 starters and I don't think Adam Plutko is going to do it.  Civale, who has been linked to the Shane Bieber since they were both drafted together, could have a Bieber-like rise if he puts it all together and I even think he could end up pitching significant innings in the bullpen this year if that is the way the Indians choose to go with him.

3. Oscar Mercado - If he continues like he did in spring training he should be up to the majors soon.   If he impacts games in the majors like he did in spring training, he should help us win the division.

4. Nick Sandlin - I think, as the year goes along, we need to sprinkle in more rookie bullpen guys and Sandlin could be one of those guys.

5. Yu Chang - If he can show he can play 3rd or 2nd it would lessen the need for us to rely on Kipnis as much and, with his ability to play SS, give us back what we gave away this winter: a quality infield utility guy.   Plus he hits, too!

6. James Karinchak - His arm is so live if can harness his control he could be a good late-season arm to add to the bullpen.  Ditto, of course, goes for Henry Martinez, who didn't quite make the top 10.

7 (tie)  Sam Hentges and Triston McKenzie - Let's be real here.   If we need either of these guys to be in the majors this year we are probably in big trouble as that means one of our starters went down and we are taking elite-yet-inexperienced guys with injury histories and throwing them into the fire in a pennant race.   However, maybe they can be useful in a limited role as relievers down the stretch and into the playoffs just because the league would not have a book on them.

8. Nick Goody - While this is not really a breakout prospect, we need Goody to get back to his 2017 form.   It would great to have him as a bullpen option as it is a long season.  

Now, for the last and the craziest prospect we need to have break out this year:  Andrew Calica

Look at Calica's stats and plug in 20 HR power to that.   If he had that power tool he would be in the majors by mid-season, assuming all his other tools continue to play.  If Civale breaks out his power stroke/launch angle/can of whoop-ass this year he could be that speed-power threat not in outfield right now.