Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians' minor league affiliates have played through the first week of their 2014 seasons. Some of the team's top prospects are off to great starts, while others, not so much. 

The Cleveland Indians shocked the baseball world a year ago.

Fresh off their first playoff appearance since 2007, the Cleveland Indians are now just days away from the start of spring training.

The Indians made some big changes to the roster this offseason, but the biggest moves came in the form of the free-agency departures of Scott Kazmir, Joe Smith and Ubaldo Jimenez. The team attempted to address these moves through a flurry of minor league signings while also adding closer John Axford and outfielder David Murphy to the big league roster.

Top prospects like Francisco Lindor and Trevor Bauer tend to grab headlines as we inch closer and closer to spring training. However, this season, the Indians have invited an intriguing group of "sleeper" prospects worth monitoring this spring.

Before we begin, it'd benefit the group to set out the parameters of how this group was compiled.

The Cleveland Indians' pitching and catching units underwent some substantial changes this offseason.

In the rotation, the team parted ways with starting pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir. In the bullpen, it allowed Joe Smith to leave via free agency, and cutting closer Chris Perez opened up another spot.

After winning 92 games and a Wild Card berth in 2013, the last thing the Cleveland Indians would want to do is trade away staff ace Justin Masterson, who is currently the lone projected starter with at least one full big league season under his belt. If anything, they need to add another reliable starter to the mix.

The Cleveland Indians' starting rotation is almost set for the 2014 season.

Despite having lost Scott Kazmir—and in all likelihood Ubaldo Jimenez—to free agency, the Indians will return four pitchers who had significant impacts on the 2013 ballclub. The rotation's order and fifth spot, however, are still up in the air.

The Cleveland Indians have been rather inactive over the 2013-14 offseason.

The Cleveland Indians came into the 2014 offseason with some glaring needs in the bullpen, starting rotation, on the bench and also at third base.

The team was able to remedy some of those needs by signing the likes of John Axford, Shaun Marcum, David Murphy and Jason Giambi among others.

Though the Indians found success in 2013, they have some weaknesses they'll have to address before they're ready to take the next step in 2014.

The club managed a 92-70 record in 2013. However, with the impending losses of Scott Kazmir and Ubaldo Jimenez, combined with the disappointment of players like Lonnie Chisenhall, needs have arisen at third base and also in the starting rotation.