Triple-A prospects give Indians needed depth

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Eric Wedge’s eighth season as Cleveland Indians manager has the potential to be the best. It comes from learning to prepare for the worst.

“Who knows what will happen?” Wedge said before Cleveland played the Colorado Rockies in an exhibition game Wednesday. “That’s why we’re looking at some younger players. You never know when they may be needed.”

A year ago, the Indians’ best plans fell apart. Coming off an AL Central title and one win from going to the World Series, injuries knocked Cleveland from contention early.

Key hitters Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner, right-handers Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook and closer Joe Borowski, who led the AL in saves in 2007, all got hurt before May.

When help is needed this year, it will be only a few hours away. Four of Cleveland’s minor-league teams are within a 140-mile drive of Progressive Field, including Triple-A Columbus and Double-A Akron. Those two clubs figure to be stacked with prospects.

“Looking at 162 games and knowing the endurance and adjustments it takes, we’ve got reinforcements,” general manager Mark Shapiro said. “This is the best layer of talent we have had in a long, long time.”

Seven players likely headed to Columbus entered Wednesday hitting a combined .357 (41-for-115) with four homers, 20 runs and 17 RBIs this spring.

“It’s a small sample size, so we don’t get too excited by numbers,” Shapiro said. “We look at day-to-day improvement, how a player handles adversity, how he adjusts to what’s thrown at him.”

First baseman Michael Aubrey handled the worst of it in January. He was released.

A first-round pick in 2003, Aubrey’s development has been slowed by injuries. He cleared waivers and came back to the team as a non-roster player. A .295 career hitter in the minors, he’s hitting .438 with one homer and three RBIs this spring.

“I’m glad to be back,” said the 26-year-old who got his first taste of the majors in 15 games last season. “They’ve been good to me. They made no guarantees, but I’d like to play in Cleveland.”

So would third baseman Wes Hodges, hitting .333 this spring.

“I don’t think any kid ever grew up dreaming of playing in the minors,” said the 24-year-old, who hit .290 with 18 homers and 97 RBIs a year ago at Akron. “I’m going back down. I know that. But the learning experience has been great. I think it has prepared me for when I do get the call.”

Outfielders Matt Laporta, hitting .316, and Michael Brantley, batting .368, agree. Both were acquired from Milwaukee in the blockbuster trade that sent CC Sabathia to the Brewers in July.