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