CLEVELAND — It sounds as though the Indians are leaning toward taking a pitcher with their first-round choice — 15th overall — in the amateur draft
(June 9-11).
“It’s pretty pitcher-heavy,” Cleveland’s director of amateur scouting, Brad Grant, said of this year’s draft class, headlined by power pitcher Stephen Strasburg, a right-hander from San Diego State whose fastball clocks in at
99-103 mph. “There’s good depth both on the collegiate and high school levels. We feel like we have the opportunity to add some pitching to the organization.”
Undoubtedly on the Indians’ list of potential choices is local product Andy Oliver, a left-hander who starred at Vermilion High School before pitching at Oklahoma State. Baseball America predicts that Oliver will go 24th to the Minnesota Twins, who also drafted Oliver with the 17th pick in 2006.
“I have seen Andy, but I’m not going to go into specific names because there is some secrecy to the draft,” Grant said. “Beyond Strasburg, that’s as far as I’ll go.”
Some teams shy away from taking a player with local roots. Not the Indians, according to Grant.
“We took Brad Snyder from Sandusky (first round in 2003) and we’ve taken other players from Ohio,” he said. “The Atlanta Braves have had a lot of success drafting players from Atlanta. I think it’s actually a benefit to take a kid that’s local.”
Grant is not concerned that financial constraints will prohibit the Indians from signing their top draft choice, but did say the poor economy will be factored into the draft budget.
“The economy has an effect on how we draft,” Grant said. “It’s going to have an effect on the majority of teams. We have a budget. It’s just a matter of staying within that.”
Baseball America predicts the Indians will take Sacramento State outfielder Tim Wheeler with their first-round pick. Cleveland’s second-round pick is No. 63.

Pronk’s progress

The Indians expected to activate Travis Hafner from the disabled list either today or Monday, but that plan may be scrapped.
Hafner played in his second straight rehab game for Triple-A Columbus on Friday, but was scratched from the lineup Saturday with soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder.
The Indians are hopeful Hafner can play today. If not, Wedge said the team would not consider activating him.

Peralta’s power

Jhonny Peralta appears to be emerging from early season scuffles at the plate — .355 in his last 18 games through Friday — but he had hit just one home run and produced only 18 RBIs in 42 games.
In three of the past four years, Peralta has averaged 22.7 homers and 79.7 RBIs.
“I think it’s going to come back,” Wedge said of Peralta’s power. “I think he struggled early offensively, and the power’s the last thing to come.”

Roundin’ third

The Indians entered Saturday 20-12 when scoring four runs or more, 1-17 when scoring three runs or less.
** Veteran reliever Matt Herges had not allowed a run in his last five appearances through Friday, covering 81/3 innings. Entering Saturday, the 39-year-old Herges owned a 1.17 ERA, with opposing hitters batting .111
(6-for-66) off him.
** The Medina High School orchestra performed the national anthem.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136
or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

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