Outfielder Mike Conroy has made big strides in Cleveland's organization

The Scrappers' outfielder has impressed the Indians' brass.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NILES -- Mike Conroy is one of the most improved players in the Cleveland Indians organization.
That was one observation made Sunday by John Farrell, director of player development for the Indians, who has spent time with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers this season.
"He's made some of the best strides in the entire system -- in the consistency of his approach and the confidence he's given himself as a player," Farrell said.
Conroy, an outfielder at Mahoning Valley, batted .186 with the Scrappers last season, his first in professional baseball.
Leads team in RBIs
This season, the Massachusetts native is batting .289 with a team-high 38 RBIs. Conroy, 20, is also among the New York-Penn League leaders in hits (74).
"It's very rewarding for others to see him battle through those [tough] times," Farrell said.
The Indians also have been impressed by the performances of outfielders Grady Sizemore and Jason Cooper and pitcher Fausto Carmona, among others, Farrell said.
Sizemore, acquired when the Indians traded Bartolo Colon to the White Sox, was batting just over .300 at Double-A Akron.
"We've seen his power numbers increase at a quicker pace than we anticipated," Farrell said.
Strong first half
Cooper, a third-round draft choice last year, had a strong first half at Class-A Lake County and since has been promoted to Class-A Kinston, where he's also batting over .300.
"He's gone to Kinston and he's maintained that same performance. We haven't seen any drop off," Farrell said. "The Carolina League is a fast-paced league. Those who have performed well there have become productive major league players."
A right-hander signed as a free agent in 2000, Carmona pitched in three games with the Scrappers last season. At Lake County this season, the Dominican is 17-3 with a 1.83 ERA.
"More importantly," Farrell said, "these players are developing in a winning atmosphere, which I think is vital."