2015 AL Central preview: Cleveland Indians

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Aug 9, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) rounds the bases on his home run during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Cleveland Indians won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Last season: 85-77, 3rd in the AL Central

Notable players lost – none

Notable players added – 1B/OF Brandon Moss, SP Gavin Floyd

For the second year in a row, Terry Francona‘s Cleveland Indians put together a strong season, this time falling just short of the playoffs.

Going into the year, they appeared to be an ace and a hitter away from being a dangerous team. While they never actually acquired either player, two guys effectively emerged into those roles.

Corey Kluber was the best pitcher in the American League in the second half of last season and was rewarded with the Cy Young Award for his efforts. Michael Brantley finished top six in the AL in hits, doubles, runs and batting average and finished third in MVP voting.

In the offseason, the Indians added a left handed power bat in Brandon Moss and another potential arm for the rotation in Gavin Floyd without subtracting any pieces from the their core roster. Moss should make more of an impact than Floyd but overall the key for this team in 2015 will be their regulars playing up to their abilities.

Here is more on the 2015 Cleveland Indians.

Next: Indians: Projected Lineup

2015 Projected lineup

Mar 8, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Michael Bourn (24) leads off of first base against the Texas Rangers during to a spring training baseball game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

CF Michael Bourn
SS Jose Ramirez
LF Michael Brantley
DH Carlos Santana
1B Brandon Moss
C Yan Gomes
2B Jason Kipnis
RF David Murphy
3B Lonnie Chisenhall

Aside from Brantley, the Indians got strong production from Carlos Santana and Yan Gomes. While Santana hit just .231 for the season, he was an on base machine. His 113 walks led the league and his 27 homers led the team. Gomes was the AL Silver Slugger winner for catchers behind a .278 average and 21 homers.

Starting Rotation

Sep 21, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Cleveland Indians win 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Kluber
Carlos Carrasco
Trevor Bauer
Zach McAllister
T.J. House

As good as Kluber was last season, the Indians were at their best when Carlos Carrasco was inserted into the rotation. After four years of being in and out the majors, Carrasco had a 2.67 ERA in 14 starts and emerged as the number two to Kluber.

Beyond those two, T.J. House and Danny Salazar both had strong second halves of the season. However, Trevor Bauer, at one point one of baseball’s top prospects, struggled throughout the year.

House and Bauer are expected to join Kluber and Carrasco in the rotation this year. Floyd, Salazar and Zach McAllister were originally each options for the fifth spot. Floyd will now start the season on the disabled list with an elbow injury and McAllister has outperformed Salazar during the spring.

The Indians have a lot riding on their rotation being able to perform at a high level. While they were able to collectively put together a run of success last season, not one member of that rotation has put together consecutive seasons of results.

Next: A look at the Indians bullpen

Bullpen

Aug 19, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Cody Allen (37) pitches in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Cleveland Indians win 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Cody Allen
Bryan Shaw
Marc Rzepczynski
Scott Atchison
Kyle Crockett
Nick Hagadone
Anthony Swarzak

Overall, the Indians bullpen was actually better from top to bottom than the division-rival Kansas City Royals.

Cody Allen took over for John Axford midseason and was more than capable as a closer. Bryan Shaw and Scot Atchison stepped in as setup men for Allen and raised their play to his level.

Mark Rzepczynski is one of the most reliable situational lefties in baseball and fellow lefties Kyle Crockett and Nick Hagadone performed well from when called upon.

The only new likely addition to the pen will be Anthony Swarzak. Swarzak has been back and forth between starting and relief in five major league season in Minnesota. He has a 3.66 ERA in relief (5.87 as a starter) and fills the need of long relief out the pen.

Next: Player to watch for the Indians

Player to watch: Carlos Carrasco

Sep 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) pitches during the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

There high expectations this season for Carrasco in the Indians rotation. In his 14 starts, Carrasco struck out 101 in 90.1 innings and limited hitters to a .201 average.

Those are impressive numbers but essentially they are coming out of nowhere.

In nine minor league seasons he has been just an average pitcher (career 3.97 ERA). Before last season, he had never posted an ERA lower than 3.83 which came in 2010

But the same can be said for Kluber. He had a 4.43 ERA in the minors and had a huge spike in production all of sudden.

It is certainly possible that Carrasco has figured everything out and has become the pitcher we saw last season for good. If the Indians are going to compete in the AL Central, he will have to be.

Next: Who to watch in the Indians' MiLB system

Five on the farm

Jun 18, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Carolina Mudcats shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) during the first inning of the California League vs Carolina League All Star Game at San Jose Municipal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

SS Francisco Lindor
SP Danny Salazar
SS Erik Gonzalez
3B Giovanny Urshela
OF Bradley Zimmer

The top prospect in the organization is Francisco Lindor. Lindor is loved for his speed and strong fielding ability. The question is whether he will hit well enough to be in the majors this season. He hit .273/.307/.388 at Triple A last season.

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Salazar is no longer a prospect at this point in his career but will begin the season in the minors. With potential uncertainty ahead in the starting rotation, he is a player to keep an eye on.

Erik Gonzalez, Giovanny Urshela and Bradley Zimmer are three players who could make their debuts in 2016.

Gonzalez outhit Lindor last season, but profiles as a utility infielder is behind both he and Ramirez. Urshela had a strong season in Double A and is a definite upgrade defensively to Chisenhall.

Zimmer has five tool ability and should showcase that in his first full season in the minors.

Next: Indians Prediction

Prediction

Mar 23, 2015; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (17) before a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Indians have won at least 86 games the last two seasons and would surprise no one to finish around that again. They have one of the best managers in all of baseball and a lot of players with high ceilings, and I have them finishing 3rd in the AL Central.

On offense, bounce back years from Kipnis and Bourn are a must. In the rotation, Carrasco must be consistent and Bauer has to finally show the potential every feels he has.

The one area that is of no concern for this team is the bullpen. Allen should once again be one of the best closers in all of baseball and the options arms to help get the ball to him in the ninth are deep.

It would be no surprise at all if the Indians win the AL Central this season but with so many guys without track records playing important roles, I say they fall just a bit short of their destination.

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