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Cleveland Indians: Four Predictions For The 2017 Season

By Dylan Haines

Apr 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The grounds crew work on the field prior to a game between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The grounds crew work on the field prior to a game between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Four Indians players will hit over .300

According to baseball-reference.com, last season, the Indians had two players hit over .300 on the season (Fransisco Lindor at .301 and Ramírez at .312). I expect that figure to double for the Tribe in 2017.

Lindor and Ramírez have more than proven themselves to be consistent, disciplined hitters that have shown a proclivity to spray the ball around the park, as well as garner enough quality contact to hit for a high batting average.

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The names I expect the join them in the .300 club are Brantley and Diaz. Brantley shouldn’t be much of a surprise, as he’s hit over .300 each of his last two full seasons. If he gets through this season healthy, there’s no reason to believe he won’t get over the .300 threshold again.

Diaz had himself one hell of a spring training. According to the Indians’ website, Diaz had a slash line of .458/.544/.708 with two homers and 15 RBIs.

Diaz is an advanced hitting prospect, as he’s hit over .300 in each of his last two seasons in minor league play. The injury to Jason Kipnis is a big reason why he’s getting his shot to start the season in the big leagues, and I’m not expecting him to relent that spot any time soon.

Just like Tyler Naquin before him (who hit .296 as a rookie), I’m expecting Diaz to have a sizable impact with his bat this upcoming season.

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