Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor hits a double against the Chicago Cubs in the 7th inning in game one of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

From Lake County to Cooperstown, Perhaps

It was a sunny day on the afternoon of April 23, 2012. I was there early that morning to catch a glimpse of a talented Kane County roster with a group of what I would hope to be future Royals. That included names like Jorge Bonifacio, Lane Adams, Justin Trapp and Orlando Calixte. One of my favorite Royals hitting prospects was in the lineup with his enjoyable bat waggle in Daniel Mateo. As I stood on the field behind the batting cage, I took pictures and video of a first round pick for the Cleveland Indians as he hit a few line drives around the outfield, but looked rather uninspiring in the cage most of that morning.

The fun for that first round pick was present in the field as he had the fastest hands I had ever seen in a shortstop prospect transferring from glove to hand in a twitch. It was so fast, it seemed as the player receiving the ball at  second opposite of him was catching the ball more in a self defensive mechanism than actually tracking the ball. From there, the young shortstop went on to what normally is a boring routine of catching pop ups, but unlike most, he would track these balls from his spot at short all the way to left field, tracking the ball over his shoulders. Turning what is normally a boring routine into a spectacular one as he nearly tracked balls just a few feet short of the warning track at one point.

The sun would stay out that day, which justified another writer’s use of his Fedora in front of me. I noted the Royals prospects as usual as Trapp had a strong day, hitting a home run while driving in six to help give Kane County a lead late until the Lake County bats erupted in the eighth inning. It was Luigi Rodriguez and Bryson Myles that stood out the most that day for the Indians young and speedy roster, both showing off their athleticism and aggressiveness, stealing bases off Jin-Ho Shin at will and aggressively turning in extra bases. Despite all those players having solid games, it was Lindor who went about his business and flashed what one day would become a superior talent.

The young shortstop hit his first minor league home run that afternoon, a blast to right off big and physical Michael Giovenco that cleared the two tiered right field fence a close to 400 foot home run, if I was to guess. A surprising turn of events after a few less than spectacular plate appearances that up to that point had featured just a walk and a stolen base. It shocked me so much that I didn’t even get video of it after watching his batting practice and first few at bats. Still, it was what the veteran scouts and this still virgin eyed one had come to see; a future stud flashing a bit of everything. That afternoon in just three hours, he had showed off the ridiculous talent in the field, the speed on the bases and a little bit of pop.

It all wouldn’t be enough for me as I focused more on the previous at bats and batting cage work, leaving there thinking that he would be a .260-.280 hitter with a little on-base skill and a lack of pop that wouldn’t impact the majors. At just 18, I knew he had a chance to become more, but I doubted the strength that could be put on a small frame. How foolish does that look now? The quick bat, the speed, the defense – it all flashed that day in April 2012. I guess my fanhood of the Royals was more hopeful that a rival would have a light hitting great defending shortstop more than an organizational changing talent. There was no way of seeing it that afternoon, even a veteran of Art Stewart’s caliber was not likely to see the impactful way Lindor can change a team and defense, one does not see “the thing” in one afternoon so I shouldn’t be too upset with myself. Still I saw the flashes and chose to look at others.

A 22-year old stud, just three games away from a World Series championship. Is that young man that I watched that afternoon on the precipice of becoming the next Derek Jeter? It definitely appears so, and even if they don’t close this one out, it won’t be the last chance for this team and Lindor. As a fan I’ve doubted it, but it appears this young man has everything that Hosmer and Moustakas have flashed, that thing that helps his team rise in the biggest of big games. For 2016, this could lead to a Cleveland championship while in ’17 it may lead to an epic division race and playoff battle if the Royals can stay healthy. Unfortunately from there, this is Lindor’s league and we could all just be watching a truly amazing talent and future Hall of Famer.

Lead Photo – Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor hits a double against the Chicago Cubs in the 7th inning in game one of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Related Articles