Cleveland Indians: Predicting lineup as summer camp opens

Middle of the order

RHP: Reyes, Santana, Ramirez

LHP: Reyes, Santana, Ramirez

The truth is Reyes struggled when he came over from the Padres in the deal that sent Trevor Bauer to the Reds at last July’s trade deadline, but big things were being expected of the slugger back in Spring Training.

In fact, find someone who wasn’t penciling Reyes to crack 40 bombs back in March. Well, if he does that now, he might as well change his name to Babe Ruth.

Reyes is the right-handed, power presence Indians fans have long craved and he’ll be nice cog in the lineup for the first half of the decade.

After Reyes, the decision probably comes down to Carlos Santana or Jose Ramirez. Heck, Jordan Luplow could bat here, too, if a. left-hander is on the mound.

My guess is that Santana gets the spot though, with Ramirez, another switch hitter, hitting No. 6.

The idea of Jose Ramirez batting sixth could be a scary scene for opposing pitchers if Ramirez is to replicate his output from the past 2 2/12 seasons. We all expected to take residence at third base when The Prog hosted the All-Star game, but .218 average (.652 OPS) gave J-RAM an unexpected  July vacation, instead.

He returned, looking like the Ramirez we all know and love, batting .327 (1.105 OPS).