CLEVELAND -- In speaking with the media on Sunday, Ross Atkins raved about shortstop prospect Francisco Lindor.
Doesn't everybody?
Atkins, the Indians' vice president of player development, said the 19-year-old has been "unbelievable."
"The guy every night gets two or three hits, makes an exceptional play," Atkins said. "The leadership, his commitment, his professionalism, we haven't experienced anything like that from a high school player."
Cleveland drafted Lindor with the eighth overall pick of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. In 41 games with Class A Carolina, the switch-hitter is batting .327 with 10 doubles, four triples and one home run. He's driven in 17 runs and gone 11-for-14 in steal attempts.
Atkins didn't offer any specifics on Lindor's timetable for promotion through the organization, other than saying, "He continues to speed it up."
"There's no secrets. He outworks people. The talent is clearly there, and then he outworks them on top of it," Atkins said. "When you do that, you end up being the best player in the league, and he's done that. He's doing that right now. He's made himself into one of the best prospects in baseball, if not the best."
