First Posted: 4/2/2015
CLEVELAND — It was a good year at Progressive Field in 2014.
The Indians finished third in the American Central at 85-77, five games out of first.
The problem was they couldn’t catch the Tigers (90-72) or the Royals (89-73).
The Indians’ starting pitchers ranked eighth in the league in ERA (3.82), while relievers were fourth (3.12). The hitting ranked eighth with a .253 average.
Defense remains a critical area. The Indians ranked last in fielding percentage (.981) and last in errors (116).
Catching
Yan Gomes has blossomed into one of the top catchers in the game.
His .278 average led all A.L. catchers. He also led the league’s catchers with 49 extra-base hits. He hit 21 home runs with 74 RBI. He had 25 doubles.
He owns a strong, accurate arm and threw out 32 percent (31 of 97) of the runners who tried to steal on him.
CATCHING GRADE: A
First base
The good news is the switch-hitting Carlos Santana led the club with 27 home runs. He also had 85 RBI.
On the other side, his .231 average was a career low. He hit a mere .212 against right-handed pitchers.
He did have an on-base percentage of .365 with 113 walks.
FIRST BASE GRADE: B-
Second base
Jason Kipnis had developed into an All-Star type player in 2013 (.284, 17 HRs, 84 RBI). However, last year was a nightmare, as the bottom dropped out (.240, 6 HRs, 41 RBI).
Most of his trouble was caused by a strained oblique muscle he suffered in April. In the field, he showed very little range and his fielding grade of -11 was second worst in the majors. He hit only .224 with three home runs after the break.
A bounce-back year is expected for Kipnis.
SECOND BASE GRADE: B
Shortstop
Asdrubal Cabrera was traded to Washington in July and that swung open the door for rookie Jose Ramirez. Instantly, the infield defense improved.
The speedy switch-hitting Ramirez hit .262 with 10 stolen bases in 237 at-bats. He hit .299 in 167 at-bats when he batted second. He’ll use the whole field, but has very little power.
SHORTSTOP GRADE: B
Third base
Lonnie Chisenhall finally showed signs of life after hitting .225 in 2013. The problem was he had two different seasons.
In the first half he hit .332 with nine home runs and 41 RBI. However, after the All-Star break, he returned to his 2013 form with a .218 average with four home runs and 19 RBI.
He ended up hitting .280 with 13 home runs and 59 RBI.
Defensively, he lacks range, as he had 18 errors and fielding percentage of .931.
THIRD BASE GRADE: C
Outfield
Left fielder Michael Brantley had an All-Star season, hitting .327 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI. He also had 45 doubles and stole 23 bases. He led the league in hitting with runners in scoring position (.376).
Center fielder Michael Bourn was brought in for speed, but had only 10 stolen bases because of three trips to the disabled list for his hamstring. He hit .257 with 10 triples. He stole 61 bases in 2011, but has only 33 SBs in two years in Cleveland.
The Indians traded with Oakland for right fielder Brandon Moss, where he hit .234 with 25 home runs and 81 RBI. The problem for Moss last year was a sore right hip, which needed surgery. That robbed him of his power and he hit .173 with four home runs after the All-Star break.
Nick Swisher will start the year on the disabled list after double knee surgeries. Designated hitter will come from a mix of Swisher, David Murphy, Ryan Raburn and Moss.
OUTFIELD GRADE: B-
Starters
It all starts with Cy Young winner right-hander Corey Kluber (18-9, 2.44 ERA), who was a strikeout machine with 269 strikeouts in 235 innings. He had a 1.73 ERA after the break. Kluber throws his fastball around 94-95 mph, with a sinker, cutter, slider and change-up.
Right-hander Carlos Carrasco (8-7, 2.55) went 5-3 with a 1.39 ERA in 10 starts after he was moved from the bullpen to the rotation in mid-August. He had a 1.72 ERA after the break. He also throws 95 mph, with an off-the-table dropping curve and change-up. He had 140 strikeouts in 134 innings.
The No. 3 starter is right-hander Trevor Bauer (5-8, 4.18). He struck out 143 in 153 innings. He has a herky-jerky delivery, but still fires 94 mph.
Rounding out the rotation are left-hander T.J. House (5-3, 3.35) and right-hander Zach McAllister (4-7, 5.23). House throws strikes, with only 22 walks in 102 innings.
Gavin Floyd (2-2, 2.65) is coming off elbow surgery and will start the year on the disabled list.
STARTERS GRADE: B+
Bullpen
Cody Allen took over the closer’s role from John Axford in May. He finished with 24 saves and a 2.07 ERA. He can be dominating with a 95 mph fastball and his knucklecurve.
The set-up man is Bryan Shaw (2.59). Other key members of the pen are Scott Atchison (2.75), lefty Kyle Crockett (1.80), lefty Nick Hagadone (2.70) and lefty Marc Rzepczynski (2.74).
BULLPEN GRADE: B+
OVERALL GRADE: B+
PREDICTION: 89-73
