5 Cleveland Indians takes: Owen Miller, trades, professional hitters

Another week in baseball for the Cleveland Indians, as the Tribe continues to look up at the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central standings.

Here’s five Tribe takes from the week that was Cleveland baseball.

1. Owen Miller needs sent down: We were all banging the drum for the Cleveland Indians to promote Owen Miller. Desperate for offense, the Indians called up the prospect, who was hitting .400 at Triple A.

Clearly, though, Miller isn’t ready and he needs sent back to the Clippers where he can make the adjustments necessary to stay in the big leagues. The big red flag Miller is overwhelmed at the plate? In 70 plate appearance with Columbus, he struck out 14 times. In just 40 trips to the plate with the Tribe he’s fanned 19 times.

The 24-year-old can hit, but he needs a little more seasoning.

2. Harold Ramirez hits: He’s coming off a 3-for-5, one home-run, two RBI performance against the Baltimore Orioles and I won’t be shy about trumpeting that I’ve been on the Harold Ramirez bandwagon since day one. Not because I’m some great evaluator of talent, but because anyone with eyes could tell that this guy is capable of hitting.

He’s not going to win batting titles, but he’s a good, MLB player who puts the bat on the ball.  Ramirez is now batting .277 (.787 OPS). He’s struck out just 12 times over 30 games, covering 94-at bats.

3. Bauers had to go: I don’t know if Bobby Bradley will really be all that better than Jake Bauers, but at this point, I’m willing to take some time and find out.

Here’s what we do know: Bauers, once a top 100 MLB prospect, never figured out how to hit MLB pitching. In 100 at-bats, Bauers .190 with a .557 OPS. He was supposed to pack some pop, but managed just to hit just two home runs.

Bradley’s going to strike out a lot, and his average may hover around Bauers, but perhaps he’ll fill in the power outage that’s been occupied by Bauers in the lineup.

4. Naylor should play 1B: With Bauers now gone, I hope Josh Naylor gets more reps at first base. Bradley can DH with Franmil Reyes on the DL. Put Ramirez in right, keep Eddie Rosario in left and. figure out if Bradley Zimmer can hang onto center field every day.

5. Add this player to your trade list: Over the week, national writers have covered the Indians potential trading for Mitch Haniger and Joey Gallo. I’d be up for adding Trey Mancini to that list.

Mancini sat out last season, as he fought colon cancer–a battle he’s won. Amazingly, he’s already back on the field and returning to form for the O’s. He’s batting .283 (.867 OPS) with 11 home runs.

He had played both outfield spots throughout his career, but 1B is the only position he’s played in the field this season. This article points out the Orioles need at first, but it also noted how Mancini would also DH as he adjusts to being an every-day player the major league level again.

This guy can hit, and if he could be had, I’d play him at first, thus nixing the previous take.