It’s not often a back-up catcher sees his prospect stock soar, but Eric Haase had a sensational 2017 season.
Playing behind top Indians prospect Francisco Mejia at Double-A Akron, Haase forced the Indians to put his bat in the lineup every day with a huge power surge due to some adjustments he made to his swing plane.
After having previously topped out with 17 home runs in 2014, Haase blasted 27 long balls in 2017, good for third in the Eastern League. His .574 slugging percentage led all Indians minor league players and was second in the Eastern League.