The 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft—also known as the Rule IV Draft—is a little more than two weeks away and the Cleveland Indians will have to be smart with their selection.
The Tribe owns the fifth overall selection this year and it will prove to make or break their draft. After giving up their second-round competitive balance pick because of the signings of Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn in the offseason, the Indians will not make their second selection until pick No. 79.
After that, they will select at 111 before falling into the rotation of every 30 picks until the end of the draft.
That puts a lot of pressure on the front office to get this pick right, so don’t be surprised if the Indians go against the grain and pick someone who may be considered a “safe” pick.
In other words, don’t be surprised if the Indians go after a position player instead of a much-needed pitcher. Here are five prospects that could help the Indians in the future if their scouting reports hold true.
That is 'if' their reports hold true.