The Indians are still poised for success but some players need some seasoning.
The Cleveland Indians are sitting pretty, relatively speaking. They have some flexibility to acquire some guys (*cough cough Joey Gallo), while actively trying to sign some of their younger stars to extensions. They’ve shed a lot of salaries and haven’t really seen any issues. The same offensive woes the Tribe are dealing with in 2021, they dealt with in 2020 with Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana on the roster. Clearly, money isn’t the answer to the batting woes of Cleveland.
The issue is at the positions they played, however. Shortstop and first base are not seeing a lot of production from it. Jake Bauers is hitting better in May than in April but he’s not tearing the ball off, nor is he walking at the same rate that Santana was. Santana always had a great eye for the plate and could walk his way on if need be.
Unfortunately, it’s not just the bats that have had their issues, as a key member of the pitching staff is also struggling. This isn’t what you want to hear when you have already had some issues with the rotation this season. It’s the truth, however. Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale are pitching fine, not dominating games but they’re fine.
Logan Allen has already been sent down, however, and another key rotation guy may be on his way. Considering the Tribe is leaning on Sam Hentges, who isn’t fairing well, it’s not a strong sign to admit another pitcher may need some more refinement.
It should be stressed, as some will misconstrue what this column is about, none of these players are guys to give up on. It’s merely saying that some minor league time, and working on their shortcomings will behoove them and the Indians in the long haul.
SP Triston McKenzie
Triston McKenzie was actually the inspiration for this column. At just 23-years-old, he’s got a bright future, especially with what he showed at just 22 in the pandemic shortened 2020 season. The thing that impressed many in that year was the control the future-ace was showing. Control he’s all but lost in 2021.
He’s not too far off of his 2020 numbers, luckily. In 33 innings pitched in 2020, he gave up 21 hits, 12 earned runs, six home runs, and struck out 42.
In 2021, he’s pitched 28 innings, 21 hits, 18 earned runs, seven home runs, and has struck out 40. The only “big” difference is the earned runs and it’s not so sizeable that it’s a big deal. The problem is the stat that wasn’t listed.
In 2020 he walked just nine batters in 33 innings. In 2021, he’s walked 25 so far in just 28 innings. That’s part of why he’s seen a spike in earned runs as well.
Clearly, his control is off. Maybe it’s a confidence thing, maybe the ball is leaving his hand too soon or too late. Maybe he’s not pitching to a catcher who gets his style or is calling bad pitches for him. Maybe he’s spending too much time shaking off pitches called for him.
The reasons why McKenzie’s control has gone away is anyone’s guess. The best play is to send him down to the Columbus Clippers Triple-A club for a while, and see if they can’t rework his mechanics or just allow him to get his confidence back.
1B/INF Yu Chang
Yu Chang had so much promise coming out of spring training. It’s a shame to see what’s happened since. Jake Bauers, the man he shares platoon duties with at first base, is starting to outpace him in every way, and the need to play Chang at all has greatly disappeared. The Indians could have used him elsewhere, he does play shortstop too, but his bat isn’t good enough today to justify replacing one struggling hitter with another.
Chang still has one option left, so he could be sent down to Triple-A for a spell or so, hoping that he can find his stroke again. Hitting is so much about timing and Chang’s is clearly off. When he does make contact and put the ball in play, it’s usually an easy out. Now, the entire major leagues are currently dealing with this type of issue, with the Major League clubs only posting a .232 average in April.
So maybe Chang will bounce back eventually.
The problem is that there is an option the Indians can try, even though he’s had his own fair share of issues. Bobby Bradley is only hitting .171 in Triple-A, but he does have four home runs, 11 RBIs in just 11 games so far.
So even if Bradley hits at the same Chang does, at least Bradley will score runs.
SS Andres Gimenez
The Indians’ current starting shortstop is hitting his way into Triple-A. Andres Gimenez is currently hitting just .179 while putting up a pathetic OBP of .226. His play is terrible, and the fact he’s still taking up a roster spot with how poor he’s played is perplexing. Now, at just 22-years-old, Gimenez isn’t one to give up on. After all, Jose Ramirez hit just .219 at 22. So this isn’t a death sentence to his career, just an acknowledgment that he isn’t ready at the moment.
For the Indians, replacing Triston McKenzie and Yu Chang aren’t the easiest jobs because there is no clear guy to come in and replace them. Not the case for Gimenez. There is a prospect ready to take the spot and that’s 25-year-old Owen Miller. Miller is currently hitting .477 through 14 games in Triple-A. Not just that, he’s got a .511 OBP and an OPS of 1.192.
Miller is getting work done.
The Tribe can’t keep dragging their feet with some of these moves. It’s one thing to give a guy some extra time if they have a track record, or if there is no one behind them, but Gimenez doesn’t qualify for either situation. There is no track record and the Indians do have someone ready.
It’s time to make the call.