Cleveland Indians shortstop, 22
Why he's interesting: With a flashy glove and smile to match, the organization's top prospect made his major league debut in June and hit .313 with 12 home runs, 51 RBI and 22 doubles in 99 games while finishing as runner-up in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. Telephone Game: Growing up in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Lindor looked up to his older brother, Miguel, who pushed him to be a better ballplayer. Separated by 11 years, the boys shared a room and bunk beds, which fed Lindor's mischievous nature. So when Miguel was on the phone with friends, he'd make funny noises to annoy them. "They'd get so mad, they'd hang up." Bush Leagues: Lindor's father, Miguel, honed his son's fielding skills by hitting grounders from the top of a hill to the skinny youngster about midway down. At the bottom, a thick barrier of bushes and a herd of cows awaited any miscue. So Lindor ran, threw his glove and did whatever it took to stop the ball. "As a little kid, I was scared there might be rats or whatever else in those bushes." Getting the Call: Indians manager Terry Francona texted Lindor in mid-June to say he was being called up from triple-A Columbus: "Come on, Frankie. Get up here. Congrats." Yet, the 2013 eighth-overall draft pick wasn't convinced. "I thought it was a prank. But then I thought, No one is going to say Terry Francona on my phone." Nomar Garciaparra, Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter: Jeter. "He did so many things right in his career. He's a winner. I want to be a winner." Pep in his step: As rookie initiation, Lindor, Giovanny Urshela, Cody Anderson and Austin Adams dressed as cheerleaders for an August road trip. Lindor, who frequently used Omi's "Cheerleader" as his walk-up music, believes he'd be the best of the pep squad. "I'm little. I can do all kinds of pirouettes and stuff." Wheel deal: While Francona has his red scooter, the fleet-footed infielder has been spotted riding a white hoverboard around Progressive Field. "The hardest part is trying to contain yourself from going as fast as you can." Kipnis tip: "He has like eight gloves in a year. That's unreal. He changes gloves all the time. It's crazy. I don't know how he catches the ball."
