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5 Cleveland Indians Players Who Will Be Key To Their Success In 2017

By Eric Pitcher

Feb 17, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; A baseball sits on the field as Cleveland Indians pitchers throw during a workout at the Goodyear Ballpark practice fields. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; A baseball sits on the field as Cleveland Indians pitchers throw during a workout at the Goodyear Ballpark practice fields. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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February 27, 2016; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) poses for a picture during photo day at the Cleveland Indians Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 27, 2016; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) poses for a picture during photo day at the Cleveland Indians Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Carlos Carrasco, SP

Injuries was a common thing for the Indians last season if you couldn’t tell. Carlos Carrasco could have had his season go either way in 2016.

For a guy who ate pizza for 90 straight days, Carrasco is a big part of the Indians rotation.

Carrasco went down early in the season with a hamstring injury running to first base on a ground ball. He later came back and got hit with a line drive right on the hand and suffered a fractured bone in his throwing hand. Both injuries happened against division rival Detroit Tigers.

When Carrasco suffered that fractured bone, it ended his season, when that happened he was 11-8 with a 3.32 ERA.

In 2017, Carrasco will without a doubt be a key in the Indians’ pitching plans being either the second or third starter. Corey Kluber will be the top guy, so naturally you would have to expect Carrasco and Danny Salazar to compete for the second spot in the rotation.

Carrasco’s four-seam fastball is usually on average right around 94 MPH. Ever since joining the Indians from the Philadelphia Phillies, Carrasco appears to have added about 2 MPH on his fast ball.

Along with a fastball, Carrasco also has an arsenal of a sinker, change-up, slider and a curveball. With a healthy season, there is no doubt Carrasco could be a top pitcher in the AL.

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