2015 Cleveland Indians Season Review: Grades

Sep 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) motions to the crowd after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Francisco Lindor: A+++++

I’ve made the case already for Lindor as AL Rookie of the Year and apparently, Grantland was listening too. If you watched any Indian’s game after the All-Star break, then you already know why there are five plus signs after the A grade for Lindor.

Jason Kipnis: B+

Seems harsh for a guy that batted over .300 and made the All-Star team. Maybe I was a little tough when I identified Kipnis’s second half slide

as a contributing factor to the Indians missing the playoffs. But for all of his flaws (lack of power in 2015, far fewer stolen bases), Kipnis was a steady performer MOST of the year, even if his spray chart for 2015 is worrisome.

Michael Brantley: A

Another Brantley season where he was far and away the best offensive player on the roster. Sure, his defense wasn’t great by advanced metrics, but he’s undoubtedly our best player. There’s not much to say that Tribe fans don’t already know. He may also be the biggest value in baseball.

Ryan Raburn: B

Raburn may be the only bench guy that gets a good grade. He hit .301 with 8 homers and 29 RBI in only 173 at bats in 82 games. He is the definition of a platoon player, hitting .136 against righties and .325 against lefties. He is the total opposite on Chisenhall in the regard. Even if he makes you cringe as an outfielder, the man can rake against lefties and provides the only big bat off of the bench right now for the Indians.

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