2015 Cleveland Indians Season Review: Grades
By Joe Russo
Sep 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Carlos Santana: C-
Let’s start with the ugly defense and the .231 average for a first baseman. At this point in Santana’s career, he is strictly a DH by position. But even at DH, his offensive numbers are tough to swallow. Yes, 18 home runs and 85 RBI’s led the team, but at what cost? Santana is a solid player, but is it ok to admit he’s overrated?
Again, maybe a bit harsh. But you have to weight the grade for his horrid start a third base, which on it’s own is probably an F. When he moved to right field, ending the cycle of Jerry Sands, Brandon Moss, Ryan Raburn, and Nick Swisher. He may still need to be platooned with Raburn, but his performance in right field alone was a B+, balancing out his ugly start.
The bench outside of Raburn: D
You can make the case for Roberto Perez or Chris Johnson as about a C+, but frankly, Mike Aviles, Jose Ramirez, Jerry Sands, and the call ups like Zach Walters and Tyler Holt just didn’t cut it. I understand that Aviles was more concerned with what was going on off the field and no one can hold it against him if his performance was lacking. But Ramirez still can’t hit (no, I’m not counting the last month of the year) and Sands is almost worse in the field than Santana.
Next: The Front Office & Starting Pitching