Merry Christmas! I’ve been saving this photo to share since the Lake County Captains tweeted it on December 8:

Santa Claus is flanked by Lake County Captains mascots Skipper (left) and Skippy.

Because of the holiday-appropriate photo, the Captains get to be the focus of my Christmas Day post.

Tucker to manage Captains in 2013

Eddie “Scooter” Tucker will manage the Captains in 2013. He was hitting coach for the Carolina Mudcats in 2012.

Tucker played for the Midwest League’s Clinton Giants in 1989, hitting .246 with 3 HR and 43 RBI in 126 games. He played in 51 major-league games with the Houston Astros and the Cleveland Indians.

Former big-league hurler Steve Karsay will be Lake County’s pitching coach. He served in that same capacity for the Arizona League Indians in 2012.

Tony Mansolino will be the Captains’ hitting coach. He served in that capacity for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, the last two seasons.

Hot Stove Dinner set for Jan. 14

The Captains’ 11th annual Hot Stove Dinner will take place Monday, Jan. 14. New manager Scooter Tucker and several Cleveland Indians prospects are scheduled to attend.

For more details, read this article.

Lake County’s BA cover boy

Cleveland Indians top prospect Francisco Lindor was on the cover of Baseball America earlier this month. He played with the Captains in 2012, hitting .257 with 6 HR, 42 RBI and 27 SB in 122 games.

Lindor was the youngest player in the Midwest League this year. (He turned 19 on Nov. 14.) He is expected to start the 2013 season with the High-A Carolina Mudcats.

According to Baseball America‘s scouting report about him, “Lindor has the look of a future all-star shortstop. His defense is already major-league caliber, while additional strength and refinement should help bring his offensive game to the next level.”

2012 Lake County Captains SS Francisco Lindor on the cover of Baseball America