Columbus Clippers Notebook: Starting pitching problematic early on

The Columbus Clippers have had a rough go of things so far this season but the Clippers are finding success with players you’ll see in Cleveland even

The Columbus Clippers sit at 12-18 and are owners of the worst record in the International League’s West Division, putting them 4.5 games out of first place. The Clippers defeated the Durham Bulls snapping their 4 game losing streak.

While the Clippers as a team have not had much success, individual players have had a good amount of success, which bodes well for the Cleveland Indians.

With Jason Kipnis recovering from rotator cuff soreness, Yandy Diaz got the chance to open the year with the Indians. He batted just .213, but hit the ball hard and was a victim of tough outs. Defensively, he played better than many thought he would.

When Kipnis returned, Diaz was sent down so he could play every day. He proceeded to beat the cover off the ball. Diaz hit .395, with 9 RBIs and a .593 slugging percentage. Now he’s back in the big league, after just 12 games with the Clippers.

While early in the season, Diaz isn’t the only player the Indians have sent down. Tyler Naquin also contributed some time at the beginning of the year at the major league level before being sent down to Columbus to fix his struggles. Naquin has done just that. So far Naquin is hitting an unbelievable .396 with a home run and 5 RBI in only 14 games.

Starting pitching has been a problem this season. Ryan Merritt, the ALCS hero, is 2-3 with a 4+ ERA. Adam Plutko the 15th ranked prospect is a starter that was drafted in 2013 after being named Most Outstanding Player and leading the UCLA Bruins the National Championship is 0-4 with an ERA of 6.97. Shawn Morimando–the17th ranked prospect–is  another starter that is struggling. The lefty–a former 19th-round draft pick–made his big league debut in 2016 as a reliever.

The backbone of the Clippers’ pitching staff had been Mike Clevinger, a guy no longer in Ohio’s capital city because the Tribe promoted him after Corey Kluber went down with back soreness.

Clevinger dominated Class AAA ball in the first month of minor-league ball, with a 3-1 mark and a team low 1.50 ERA. He’s also struck out 32 batters in in 30 innings of work, while walking 10. In his first big-league start of 2017, Clevinger went 5 2/3 innings and allowed just one hit against the Royals. With Kluber’s injury and poor outings from Trevor Bauer, Clevinger figures to stay in Cleveland.

Perhaps Michael Peoples can help the rotation make up for the loss of Clevinger. Peoples was promoted from Class AA Akron after five starts. In his first outing at Class AAA, he picked up the win after hurling 5 2/3 innings.

He’s a former fourth-round pick from 2012, but he’s only 25. While at Akron last season, his fastball was maxing out at 94 miles per hour. He also throws a curve, sinker and change up.

Else where around Columbus,  Erik Kratz and Richie Shaffer are having terrific seasons.

Erik Kratz , a 36-year-old catcher, may be the Crash Davis of the International League. Kratz splits time at the position, but has played 15 games. In those 15 games Kratz is hitting .404 with 4 home runs and 6 RBI. Along with those numbers, he also has a slugging percentage of .692.

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Shaffer is best described as a man of many hats. Shaffer had an offseason to forget. He was on five different rosters in three months before finding a home in Cleveland. Four days after the Indians acquired Shaffer he was sent to waivers but was not claimed so we was assigned to Columbus. So far for the Clippers, Shaffer has not disappointed, hitting .280 in 27 games. Staffer leads Columbus with 20 RBIs, seven home runs and two triples.

Diehards will also know the names of Erik Gonzalez and Bradley Zimmer.

Gonzalez, 25, possesses a lot of talent, it just so happens that the guy above him is Francisco Lindor. He’d probably be starting for a good chunk of MLB teams right now. Gonzalez is hitting a respectable .268. He’s got 9 RBI and he’s hit five homers. Gonzalez saw major league time last year at the end of the year. Gonzalez was also on the Indians playoff roster.

Zimmer, the No. 1 ranked prospect in the Cleveland Indians farm system is ready to make an impact when called upon. Until then, he’ll play play every day in Columbus. Zimmer has cooled off since leaving the Arizona desert, and is batting .267 (.859 OPS).

Next: Who's the odd-man out if Clevinger dazzles?

Zimmer has shown, and reminded us again during Spring Training, that he can be a 5-tool player and fit in the Indians future plans.