Five player debuts we’re excited to see for the Cleveland Indians in 2020.
Baseball is back, and while some are still salty over the behavior exhibited by owners, commissioner and the players union, a good sect of us are just pumped we get to watch the Cleveland Indians.
The 2020 campaign promises to be a season unlike any other, as baseball takes on a football mentality. With a 60-game schedule, every game, and especially every series, takes on a whole new level of importance.
The Indians were expected to compete against the Twins and White Sox for the division title, and that hasn’t changed. In fact, some analytical projections have the Tribe making the postseason.
It’s fun to think about the Tribe playing playoff baseball, but ultimately, the novel coronavirus is the Wild Card no one can predict. Will there be playoffs? Will the full 60-games be played?
There’s plenty of players we’re anxious to see perform, but what happens if a player gets sick and misses time?
Well, MLB is certainly predicting that latter question to come to fruition, as the creation of “Taxi Squads” has been implemented as a result of their being no minor league play this season.
The best way to think of a Taxi Squad is to think of it like the minors, except instead of fielding six minor-league teams, everything’s been condensed down to one club and there’s only 30 roster spots available.
Player development is a big deal to the Indians, who need to produce their own talent in order to field a competitive franchise. There’s a lot of players you won’t see in the Majors this season, but there are some, who will undoubtedly be promoted at some point.
Plus, there were some big-league additions throughout the winter, so, without further ado, here’s five players we’re looking forward to watching debut with the Indians in what’s sure to be a crazy season.
1. Nolan Jones
Nolan Jones,the Tribe’s No. 1 prospect, is expected to open up the season on the Tribe’s Taxi Squad, which will play games in either Akron or Lake County.
Even prior to COVID, there was some speculation about Jones making the leap at some point to help the Indians in 2020. He should definitely be in Cleveland by 2021, but it wouldn’t have surprised some to see him on corner of Carnegie and Ontario late this season.
Well, late this season is now, and while the Tribe doesn’t need a third baseman right now, with Jose Ramirez manning the position, all bets are off when it comes to finding help in the shortened 60-game campaign.
Designated hitter remains a particularly interesting spot in the lineup to watch, because Franmil Reyes is expected to play some corner outfield. The Indians have guys who will get as hot at DH, such as Domingo Santana and Jake Bauers, but if they fail, and there isn’t a whole lot of time to preach patience, might Jones be an option?
Surely, Jones’s presence on the taxi squad, along with shortstop Tyler Freeman, is to ensure a couple of the Tribe’s top prospects get some work in, but Jones could really be someone who helps, particularly in a pinch.
2. Cesar Hernandez
Cesar Hernandez was the Cleveland Indians “big” free-agent splash, as the Tribe signed the Phillies’ free-agent to a one-year pact worth around $6.2 million.
The veteran should be an upgrade over Jason Kipnis, as the second baseman carried a 1.6 WAR a season, compared to Kipnis’ mark of 0.7.
Kipnis hit three more home runs than Hernandez (17 to 14) last season, but, Herndanez essentially carries the same type of power potential and is more likely to hit for a better average as a lifetime .277 hitter. Plus, he hits from both sides of the plate, which gives Francona versatility in his lineup.
The Indians have some exciting players and if they’re all clicking, Tito’s lineup could make for a lot of tough outs. Hernandez could bat second, considering his past experience as a lead-off hitter.
If Tito decides to go with Oscar Mercado at No. 2, perhaps Hernandez can hit ninth, giving Cleveland a table-setter at the bottom of the lineup.
3. Anthony Gose
Relievers are going to make or break a team in this shortened 60-game season. The Athletic’s Zack Meisel predicted eight relievers will make the Tribe’s main roster, with Brad Hand, Nick Wittgren, Oliver Pérez, James Karinchak, Adam Cimber, Phil Maton, Hunter Wood and James Hoyt all getting the nod.
Trying to predict a bullpen is about as easy as picking lotto numbers, though. Surely, everyone Meisel listed won’t be around when this thing’s over. I mean, how long can the front office sit around and wait if a guy has two or three bad outings? My guess is not long, which brings me to Anthony Gose.
The former Tiger was a position player who hasn’t taken a Major League at-bat since the 2016 season. He’s now re-invented himself as a reliever, and, and his talent is certainly intriguing.
He gave us a taste of his potential as he fanned nine batters in 5.2 innings in Spring Training 1.0.
The truth is the Tribe needs strikeout guys in the pen. Emmanuel Clase, who came over in the Corey Kluber deal, was supposed to fill one of those roles, but he’s suspended for the season (PED).
Gose will likely debut for the Tribe in 2020, and I know I’m looking forward to watching him pitch.
4. Daniel Johnson
It seems like Daniel Johnson‘s been with the Tribe forever, when in reality, he’s spent one full-season in the organization, coming over after the 2018 campaign in the trade for Yan Gomes.
Johnson just gets talked about, a lot, because he does have the potential to become an everyday starting outfielder.
For the Clippers in 2019, Johnson hit .306 with an .867 OPS. He’s already on the 40-man roster and he’ll likely start the season on the Taxi Squad.
With that said, the Indians outfield remains the biggest mess on the team. There’s still many question marks and frankly, in a 60-game season, the Tribe probably won’t have the time to sort it all out.
Some of those questions include; Will Jake Bauers figure it out? Who will platoon with Jordan Luplow? Tyler Naquin? What about Bradley Zimmer? The former top prospect hasn’t seen regular at-bats since the 2017 campaign.
The common theme here is time. How many innings will Tito and Chris Antonetti give to someone like Bauers, who really struggled the 2019 campaign.
Johnson logged 337 at bats at Class AAA last season. He should be an everyday starter when 2021 commences. If the current crop of outfielders fail early and often, perhaps it’d be wise to jumpstart his career in this bizarre season.
5. Delino DeShields
Prior to COVID-19, Delino DeShields wouldn’t have made this list. He was a fourth outfielder who could provide insurance behind Oscar Mercado in center field.
Alas, MLB changed its rules, as a runner can now start on second base in extra innings. That runner is to be the player who made the previous out in the last inning. However, you can put in a pinch runner to replace that player.
This certainly makes DeShields an asset coming off the bench, at a time when every run is important.
Having watched enough minor league ball, starting a runner on second goes about as you’d expect. The first batter attempts to bunt the base runner over, while the next two outs are spent trying to drive him in.
If Tito gets crazy, DeShields could aways be used as a stolen base threat, although the future Hall of Famer would get second-guessed out the wazoo for making the first out of the 10th inning at third base.
Besides defensive help, base running is probably DeShields biggest attribute and that asset just got a whole heck-of-a-lot more valuable for 2020.