Carolina Mudcats shortstop Francisco Lindor will appear in baseball's biggest prospect showcase again.

Lindor, the top prospect in the Indians' farm system, has earned a spot on the World team for next month's Futures Game at Citi Field. Lindor, born in Puerto Rico, singled in his lone at-bat in last year's game.

His season at High-A Carolina has included few glitches. He's hitting .307 with a homer and 24 RBI in 70 games. The 19-year-old Lindor is the second youngest player in the Carolina League.

Lindor is the lone Indians' prospect to earn a spot in this year's game.

World roster

United States roster

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

This reporter's instincts at 1:32 a.m. leads him to two places: Twitter and Minor League Baseball box scores.

At the moment, Twitter is too political. 

At least there's a compelling box score to analyze.

Clint Frazier, the Indians' youthful-looking first-round draft pick, made his professional debut in the rookie Arizona League. The AZL Indians used six pitchers, including two from Japan, and were crunched by the AZL Brewers, 17-5. Here's the box score.

The score, like thousand of others each minor-league seasons, means nothing. Minor leagues, especially ones at the lowest levels, are designed to showcase and develop players such as the 18-year-old Frazier.

On his first night as a professional ballplayer, Frazier served as the AZL Indians' designated hitter, batted leadoff and went 2-for-5. He clubbed a solo homer to left field in his first professional at-bat, which doubled as the game's first at-bat. He added a three-run triple to center field in the fourth.

Frazier also grounded out to second in the third, popped out to second in the sixth and lined out to second in the ninth.

If it weren't for Frazier, the game might be remembered for puncturing a thermometer. The temperature was 104 degrees when Austin Ross threw his first pitch to Frazier. The game started at 7:05 p.m. Pacific Time.

Frazier will play in Ohio at some point in his career. The Indians, after all, have affiliates in Lake County, Akron and Columbus.

When he gets here, he will bring along a tale of his scorching professional debut.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

The 2016 United States freestyle wrestling team could include a major Ohio presence.

The Ohio Regional Training Center, a Columbus-based club with a flourishing senior resident athlete program, demonstrated its depth at this past weekend's World Team Trials in Stillwater, Okla.

Champions qualified for September's World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The Ohio RTC's Reece Humphrey (60 kg/132 pounds), Keith Gavin (84 kg/185 pounds), J.D. Bergman (96 kg/215 pounds) and Tervel Dlagnev (120 kg/264.5 pounds) captured titles and world team spots last weekend. Humphrey and Bergman wrestled at Ohio State, Gavin won a NCAA Division I title at Pitt and Dlagnev attended Division II power Nebraska-Kearney.

The Ohio RTC formed in 2008 and it has been declared an Olympic Regional Training Center by USA Wrestling. Lou Rosselli, the top assistant on Tom Ryan's Ohio State staff, is the Ohio RTC's head coach. Ryan and J Jaggers, a St. Peter Chanel graduate and two-time NCAA champ at Ohio State, are also on the Ohio RTC coaching staff. J's father, Jeff Jaggers, is an assistant coach at Notre Dame College.

The Ohio RTC has elevated the state's profile on the national and international freestyle wrestling circuits. Ohio State wrestlers have access to the center's athletes, and junior Logan Stieber is one of the nation's rising freestyle stars.

A flourishing freestyle club also provides a recruiting boost for Division I programs. Penn State has won the past three NCAA titles partially because of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Olympic gold medalist Jake Varner trained at the NLWC. Olympic gold medalist and four-time NCAA champ Cael Sanderson is one of the NLWC's coaches.

The next three months are critical for the Ohio RTC. The International Olympic Committee selects its final sport for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics on Sept. 8 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Wrestling is competing with squash and a combined baseball-softball bid for the spot. If wrestling doesn't make the cut, it could have a crippling impact on freestyle clubs throughout the country.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

The News-Herald Senior Bowl provided an opportunity for four members of Division II Notre Dame College's 2013 recruiting class to compete -- and win -- together before arriving on campus.

Euclid's Juwan Ford, McKenny Mitchell and Terrence Roscoe, and Lake Catholic's Evan Grosel, four pieces of the Falcons' 55-player recruiting class, helped the White team post a 13-0 victory Friday.

Ford, a 5-foot-9, 223-pound running, earned the Dick Beeler Award given to the most valuable player by rushing for a game-record 134 yards on 24 carries. Ford displayed a powerful, low-to-the-ground running style. Most of his runs originated between the tackles, but he also showed an ability to spin around and juke defenders.

The 5-foot-7, 215-pound Mitchell started at fullback and served as Ford's lead blocker. Mitchell, though, suffered a serious leg injury on the game's final play.

The 6-foot, 210-pound Rocoe started at outside linebacker and held a major role in a defense that pitched the first shutout in Senior Bowl history. The game could be Roscoe's last as a linebacker. He was recruited to play strong safety. Roscoe brings Division I size to NDC's secondary.

"I'm very excited about going to Notre Dame," Roscoe said following the game. "I can't wait to step on campus that first day.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Grosel also has Division I size. He started at left tackle, helping clear the way for Ford. Grosel played tackle at Lake Catholic and was recruited by the NDC staff to play the premium position. Ford, Mitchell, Roscoe and Grosel all live in Euclid.

"It was fun to play with those guys," Grosel said.

NDC joins the Mountain East Conference this season. The Falcons open the season Sept. 7 against Malone in Lyndhurst. The school is making a major commitment to football. Construction of an on-campus field started last month, and Coach Adam Howard has a full allotment of 36 scholarships to divide among players.

NDC starting quarterback Ray Russ (South) was the MVP of the inaugural Senior Bowl in 2011.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Bringing Bon Jovi to FirstEnergy Stadium on short notice for a kickoff celebration ranked somewhere between drafting a troubled Division II player and hiring a TV personality as general manager on the list of good ideas.

The Eagles, Giants or Jets would make the idea work. Bon Jovi, after all, is an East Coast rocker who always attracts crowds in Philadelphia or New Jersey. Perhaps Banner thought he was booking an act for Lincoln Financial Field instead of FirstEnergy Stadium.

But this is Cleveland, where the tastes are different and the football is far worse. Plus, Bon Jovi played at Quicken Loans Arena in March, thus diminishing local demand for his tunes.

The Browns announced earlier this week the cancellation of the Bon Jovi concert and kickoff celebration scheduled for July 14.  Banner, Owner Jimmy Haslam and President Alec Scheiner are staying mum on the subject, which is troubling considering the annoying gloating when they announced the concert last month.

To keep with the spirit of the failed concert, here's the state of the Browns based on titles of popular Bon Jovi songs:

"Livin' on a Prayer" -- How else do you explain the Browns since 1999?

"It's My Life" -- A tune for defiant Browns such as Armonty Bryant.

"Bad Medicine" -- So that's what Gordon received from his doctor.

"Who Says You Can't Go Home" -- True. But if you're Haslam, is returning to Knoxville a good idea right now?

"Wanted Dead or Alive" -- Never mind.

"You Give Love a Bad Name" -- Great way to describe the relationship between the franchise and many of its ardent supporters.

"Have a Nice Day" -- Somewhere beneath his calm breath Banner utters this phrase to those who cross him.

"I'll Be There For You" -- What Joe Thomas sings to skill players on karaoke nights.

"Blaze Of Glory" -- A gun slingin' tune for chuck-it-anywhere quarterback Brandon Weeden.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

A few injuries at the higher levels. A few promotions. A few questionable drafts. Some poor starts from key players.

The result?

Two of the worst records in Minor League Baseball. Or in one team's case, the worst record in professional baseball.

The Carolina Mudcats, the Indians' High-A affiliate, ended the first half of the Carolina League season with a 22-48 record. The .314 winning percentage ranked the worst among full-season teams.

Three spots behind the Mudcats on the list of putrid pro teams -- the Low-A Lake County Captains. The bottom feeders of the Midwest League went 23-44 in the first half, which translated into a .343 winning percentage.

For those who enjoy examining misery, the Low-A Greenville Drive and Triple-A Nashville Sounds entered this week with the second and third worst winning percentages in the minors. Greenville is a Red Sox affiliate. Nashville is a Brewers affiliate. The Drive and Sounds had winning percentages of .319 and .338, respectively, when the week started.

There's one solace for the Mudcats and Captains. The Carolina and Midwest Leagues are split into halves.

Both teams will begin play Thursday with 0-0 records. Judging by their first-half performances, it might be the best position either team finds itself in.  

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

At least one College World Series game will feature a significant Ohio presence.

Indiana, the first Big Ten team to qualify for the event since 1984, and Louisville play in an opening round game at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Indiana's roster includes five Ohio players: shortstop Michael Basil (Cincinnati, St. Xavier), pitcher Scott Effross (Twinsburg, Twinsburg), outfielder Tim O'Conner (Cincinnati, Elder), catcher Kyle Schwarber (Middletown, Middletown) and Brian Korte (North Bend, Elder). Schwarber and Basil are starters and they are hitting .376 and .315, respectively. Effross and Korte are key relievers and O'Conner is a late-inning defensive replacement.

Louisville's roster includes three Ohio players: outfielder Anthony Kidston (Defiance, Defiance), outfielder Adam Engel (Cincinnati, Loveland) and pitcher Dace Kime (Defiance, Defiance). Engel is the Cardinals' starting center fielder. Kime, the Indians' third-round draft pick, is 6-1 with a 3.07 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings.

If Louisville reaches the 2015 CWS, the Cardinals might have a Northeast Ohio presence. Mentor junior right-hander Kade McClure has committed to Louisville. McClure is one of Ohio's top high school pitchers.

North Carolina freshman Taylore Cherry (Dayton, Bulter) is the only other Ohio player in this year's CWS. It's unlikely Cherry will pitch for the Tar Heels in Omaha.

North Carolina State, UCLA, LSU, Mississippi State and Oregon State are also participating in the CWS which begins Saturday.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Wonder how a team filled exclusively of Ohio players would fare in the Big Ten?

Well, it's June, meaning it's time to begin pondering the question. The conference's 12 schools all try recruiting Ohio, some with more success than others.

Combining Big Ten players from Ohio high schools would create an impressive team in 2013. We're unveiling the defense today. We're using a 3-4 alignment because picking just three linebackers proved too difficult. The offensive team appeared Tuesday.

Defense

DL: Marcus Rush (Sr., Michigan State, Cincinnati, Moeller) -- Has started all 27 games of his college career. Michigan State's top returning pass rusher with six career sacks.

DL: Frank Clark (Jr., Michigan, Cleveland, Glenville) -- This should be the year the 6-foot-2, 277-pound Clark becomes a full-time starter.

DL: Michael Bennett (Jr., Ohio State, Centerville, Centerville) -- Ohio State loses four starters on the line, meaning Bennett qualifies as the unit's most experienced player. Has appeared in 21 games during the past two seasons.

LB: Chris Borland (Sr., Wisconsin, Kettering, Archbishop Alter) -- First-team All-American candidate after a 104-tackle junior season. Biggest challenge might be adjusting to a new coaching staff.

LB: Anthony Hitchens (Sr., Iowa, Lorain, Clearview) -- A solace in Iowa's awful 2012 season, leading the Hawkeyes with 124 tackles in his first year as a starter.

LB: Denicos Allen (Sr., Michigan State, Hamilton, Hamilton) -- The Spartans play some stingy defense thanks to players such as the 5-foot-11, 215-pound Allen. Entering his third as a starter.

LB: Chi Chi Ariguzo (Jr., Northwestern, Gahanna, St. Francis DeSales) -- Great name. Great playmaker. Led the Big Ten with four fumble recoveries last season. Led Northwestern with 10.5 tackles for a loss.

DB: C.J. Barnett (Sr., Ohio State, Dayton, Northmont) -- One of the nation's best strong safeties and the most experienced piece of the Buckeyes' outstanding secondary.

DB: Christian Bryant (Sr., Ohio State, Cleveland, Glenville) -- Ohio State's free safety finished second on the team with 71 tackles last season. Has 22 career starts, two fewer than Barnett.

DB: Doran Grant (Jr., Ohio State, Akron, St. Vincent-St. Mary) -- Favorite to claim the lone open job in Ohio State's secondary. Plays cornerback.

DB: Nick Van Hoose (So., Northwestern, Urabana, St. Paris Graham) -- Tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season despite missing three games to injury. Should be a menace to opposing quarterbacks the next three seasons.

On the disabled list

Jake Ryan (Jr., Michigan, Westlake, St. Ignatius) -- Will likely miss the first half of the season after tearing his ACL in March. Led the Wolverines in tackles (88), tackles for a loss (16) and sacks (4.5) last season.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Wonder how a team filled exclusively of Ohio players would fare in the Big Ten?

Well, it's June, meaning it's time to begin pondering the question. The conference's 12 schools all try recruiting Ohio, some with more success than others.

Combining Big Ten players from Ohio high schools would create an impressive team in 2013. We're unveiling the offense today. Look for our preseason defensive team tomorrow.

Offense

QB: Braxton Miller (Jr., Ohio State, Huber Heights, Wayne) -- Could stage a memorable Heisman Trophy showdown with Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel by improving his passing numbers.

RB: Fitzgerald Toussaint (Sr., Michigan, Youngstown, Liberty) -- A DUI suspension and broken leg slowed Toussaint last season. With Denard Robinson playing a position-to-be-named-later in the NFL, Toussaint might be primed to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career.

RB: Warren Ball (Fr., Ohio State, Columbus, DeSales) -- Not many top-flight backs from Ohio in the Big Ten. The 6-foot-1, 222-pound Ball could be one some day.

WR: Cody Latimer (Jr., Indiana, Dayton, Jefferson Twp.) -- Indiana doesn't possess the size or strength to play bully football. But the Hoosiers like to pass, and Latimer likes to make big plays. He caught 51 passes for 805 yards last year, leading the Hoosiers with 15.8 yards per reception.

WR: Devin Smith (Jr., Ohio State, Massillon, Washington) -- Urban Meyer grumbled about Ohio State's lack of big-play threats before last season. Smith quickly started developing into one, averaging 20.6 yards per reception as a junior.

TE: Ted Bolser (Sr., Indiana, Cincinnati, Indian Hill) -- Indiana's roster is saturated with pass-catchers from Ohio. Bolser could post the biggest tight end receiving numbers in 2013 from somebody doesn't play for Penn State.

OL:  Jack Mewhort (Sr., Ohio State, Toledo, St. John's Jesuit) -- Mewhort is the conference's second best NFL offensive tackle prospect behind Michigan's Taylor Lewan.

OL: Dan France (Sr. Michigan State, North Royalton, North Royalton) -- Moving to right guard after spending the past two years as the Spartans' starting left tackle. 

OL: Corey Linsley (Sr., Ohio State, Youngstown, Boardman) -- Made a smooth transition from guard to center last season. No need for Miller to worry about fielding sloppy snaps.

OL: Andrew Norwell (Sr., Ohio State, Cincinnati) -- Yes, Ohio State will have one of the nation's top offensive lines this season. The 6-foot-6, 319-pund Norwell is an immoveable guard in a tackle's body.

OL: Kyle Kalis (Fr., Michigan, Lakewood, St. Edward) -- Redshirt freshman could become Michigan's starting right guard this season. List of high school accomplishments: Parade All-American, U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant and five-star recruit.

K: Drew Basil (Sr., Ohio State, Chillicothe, Chillicothe) -- Career 24-for-32 on field-goal attempts with a long of 52 in 2012. Also has 41 career touchbacks.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

The NCAA revealed Academic Progress Report scores for 2011-12, and Ohio's 10 Division I football programs have no immediate worries.

All 10 schools earned four-year period scores of 930 or higher. This means no scholarship reductions or postseason bans.

APR scores are based upon eligibility, graduation and retention of each scholarship student-athlete. Four-year scores below 930 are alarming and can lead to penalties ranging from postseason bans to scholarship reductions.

The last time one of Ohio's Division I football programs earned a failing four-year APR score was in 2007-08, when Bowling Green and Kent State posted four-year scores of  920 and 919, respectively. The Falcons lost eight scholarships. The Golden Flashes lost five. Bowling Green posted scores below 930 in 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08. Kent State posted scores below 930 in 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Both schools have steadied their academic problems. Bowling Green's APR for 2011-12 was 963. Kent State posted a score of 933.

Dayton led Ohio's Division I programs in 2011-12 with a score of 992. The Flyers lowest score since the NCAA released APR information was 977 for 2006-07.

Ohio State, like Dayton, has never encountered APR trouble. The Buckeyes ranked second among Ohio's Division I schools with a four-year score of 982 for 2011-12.

Four-year scores for Ohio's other Division I schools: Toledo (963), Miami (960), Ohio (945) Cincinnati (943), Akron (932) and Youngstown State (927). Here's a look at Ohio's Division I APR football history.

Ohio State's four-year score ranked third in the Big Ten behind Northwestern (996) and Wisconsin (985). Four-year scores for the rest of the Big Ten: Nebraska (972), Indiana (963), Iowa (961), Penn State (961), Illinois (960), Michigan State (955), Minnesota (955), Purdue (953) and Michigan (951).

Minnesota is the only Big Ten school to lose scholarships for a low APR score. The Golden Gophers were reduced three scholarships after posing a four-year score of 915 for 2007-08. Here's a look at the Big Ten's APR football history.

Northern Illinois led the Mid-American Conference with a four-year score of 974 for 2011-12. Here's a look at the MAC's APR football history.

The average four-year APR score for Division I football programs for 2011-12 was 949.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

The Indians' 2011 and '12 first-round draft picks are all-stars -- at the High-A level.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Tyler Naquin were named to the Carolina League All-Star team Friday. The Indians selected Lindor eighth overall in 2011 from Montverde (Fla.) Academy. They selected Naquin 15th overall last year from Texas A&M.

Lindor and Naquin will be two of four Carolina Mudcats representing the Carolina League against the California League on June 18 in San Jose, Calif. First baseman Jerrud Sabourin and right-hander Cody Anderson also made the team.

Lindor and Naquin's progress represents a positive for the Indians, who selected Georgia high school outfielder Clint Frazier in the first round of this year's draft.

The 19-year-old Lindor  is hitting .301, the fourth best average in the Carolina League, which is considered a
difficult hitter's league because there are only eight teams. He's the top position player prospect in the Indians' farm system and should be a big part of the franchise's future.

Naquin, who plays center field, is hitting .309, the third best average in the league. He played in the Big 12, so he faced a slew of advanced pitchers before turning professional. The big test for Naquin will come when he reaches Double-A Akron, where he will see the best pitching he has ever faced.  

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Former Lake Erie College baseball star Ryan Rua is belting homers at rapid rates this season.

Rua, who plays for the South Atlantic League's Hickory Crawdads, homered twice Thursday against Lakewood. The big night increased Rua's league-leading total to 17. Another familiar name, Stetson Allie, is second in the league with 16 homers. 

Allie, a former St. Edward standout, started his professional career as a pitcher. His career is perfect blog fodder. In short, Allie failed as a pitcher, so the Pirates converted him to a position player last year. He's settled nicely into the middle of the West Virginia Power lineup.

Rua's power numbers are especially impressive because he plays second base, a position scouts and executives don't view as a power spot. Rua, who attended Amerhest Steele High School, also has 15 doubles in 42 games. He's hitting .247 and his 50 RBI are tied for second in the league. Allie leads the league with 54 RBI.

Hickory's L.P. Frans Stadium is known as a hitter's ballpark. But the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Rua also hit seven homers at short-season Spokane last season. In three seasons at Lake Erie, Rua hit 374 with 27 homers and 131 RBI. The Texas Rangers selected Rua in the 23rd round of the 2011 draft. He's the first -- and still only -- Lake Erie player to be selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.

Rua, 23, was selected to appear in the South Atlantic League All-Star. Allie, 22, will also appear in the game, which is June 18 in Lakewood, N.J.

South Atlantic League leaders

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

The Indians selected Loganville (Ga.) High School  outfielder Clint Frazier with the fifth overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft on Thursday.  The following is a list of their all-time first-round selections.

2013: Clint Frazier, OF, Loganville (Ga.) H.S.; 2012: Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M; 2011: Francisco Lindor, SS, Montverde (Fla.) Academy; 2010: Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Ole Miss; 2009: Alex White, RHP, North Carolina; 2008: Lonnie Chisenhall, INF, Pitt (N.C.) Community College); 2007: Beau Mills, INF, Lewis-Clark (Idaho) College; 2006: None; 2005: Trevor Crowe, OF, Arizona; 2004: Jeremy Sowers, LHP, Vanderbilt; 2003: Michael Aubrey, INF, Tulane, Brad Snyder, OF, Ball State; 2002: Jeremy Guthrie, RHP, Stanford; 2001: Daniel Denham, RHP, Deer Valley (Calif.) H.S., Alan Horne, RHP, Marianna (Fla.) H.S.; 2000:  Corey Smith, SS, Piscataway (N.J.) H.S.

1999: None; 1998: CC Sabathia, LHP, Vallejo (Calif.) H.S.; 1997: Tim Drew, RHP, Lowndes County (Ga.) H.S.; 1996: Danny Peoples, 1B, Texas; 1995: David Miller, 1B, Clemson, 1994: Jared Wright, RHP, Katella (Kan.) H.S.; 1993: Daron Kirkreit, RHP, University of California; 1992: Paul Shuey, RHP, North Carolina; 1991: Manny Ramirez, OF, George Washington (N.Y.) H.S.; 1990: Tim Costo, SS, Iowa

1989: Calvin Murray, OF, W.T. White (Texas) H.S.; 1988: Mark Lewis, SS, Hamilton (Ohio) H.S., Charles Nagy, RHP, Connecticut; 1987:  None; 1986: Greg Swindell, LHP, Texas, 1985: Mike Poehl, RHP, Texas; 1984: Cory Snyder, SS, BYU; 1983: Dave Clark, OF, Jackson State; 1982: Mark Snyder, RHP, Bearden (Tenn.); 1981: George Alpert, OF, Livingston (N.J.) H.S.; 1980: Kelly Gruber, SS, Westlake (Texas) H.S.

1979: John Bohnet, LHP, Hogan (Calif.) H.S.; 1978: Phil Lansford, SS, Wilcox (Calif.) H.S.; 1977: Bruce Compton, OF, Norman (Okla.) H.S.; 1976: Tim Glass, C, Springfield (Ohio) H.S.; 1975: Rick Cerone, C, Seton Hall; 1974: Tom Brennan, RHP, Lewis University; 1973: Glen Tufts, INF, Raynham (Mass.) H.S.; 1972: Rick Manning, SS, LaSalle (N.Y.) H.S.; 1971: David Sloan, RHP, Santa Clara (Calif.) H.S.; 1970: Steve Dunning, RHP, Stanford

1969: Alvin McGraw, OF, Parker (Ala.) H.S.; 1968: Robert Weaver, SS, Paxon (Fla.) H.S.; 1967: Jack Heidemann, SS, Brenham (Texas) H.S.; 1966: John Curtis, LHP, Smithtown (N.Y.) H.S.; 1965: Ray Fosse, C, Marion (Ill.) H.S.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy