Cleveland Indians: Is Corey Kluber Still The Ace?

3 of 6

Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) poses with the Cy Young Award before the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

There Is No Question Who Is The Leader

Evan Hablitzel

Corey Kluber is absolutely still the ace for the Cleveland Indians heading into the regular season.

Let’s not be so quick to forget Kluber’s masterful Cy Young campaign in 2014. It is not like he dropped off drastically during 2015. He struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings last year, slightly less than 2014 (10.3).

The most telling statistic about how well he pitched in 2015 is his WHIP. It was actually lower last year at 1.054, compared to 1.095 during his Cy Young Award-winning season.

Kluber lost 16 games last year by no fault of his own, but rather the team’s anemic offense and shaky first half defense. He will benefit from an improved outfield defensively and a full season from the electrifying Francisco Lindor at shortstop.

Starting pitchers Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco both have ace potential, but they cannot be considered established aces at the Major League level quite yet. Kluber has turned in three consecutive solid seasons for the Cleveland Indians and established himself as the leader of the staff.

Do not be surprised if he takes home his second Cy Young Award this season when it is all said and done.

Next: 2016 Should Not Be A Repeat Of 2015

Home/Cleveland Guardians