Indians A to Z: Part 2
Carlos Carrasco: 8-7, 2.55 ERA, 14 GS, 134.0 IP, 29 BB, 140 K, 0.985 WHIP, 3.6 WAR
2014 Review: Carrasco started the year as a starting pitcher, but struggled mightily, through his first 4 starts he had a 6.95 ERA. Out of minor league options, the Indians moved him to the bullpen. In 26 appearances, Carrasco had a 2.30 ERA in 43.0 innings. In early August, the Indians were in desperate need of another starting pitcher, and were forced to put Carrasco back in the rotation. Something clicked, as Carrasco started 10 games from August 10 on, and went 5-3 with a microscopic ERA of 1.30, striking out 78 batters, while walking just 11 over 69.0 innings. Over the last 2 months of the season, the Indians had arguably the best first and second starters in baseball, in Kluber and Carrasco.
2015 Prediction: Has Carrasco finally discovered how to pitch? If he has the Indians will have a dominant power rotation in 2015, as Carrasco currently projects as the Indians second starter. However, it’s unlikely Carrasco will be the unhittable starter he was late in 2014. He averaged 9.4 strikeouts per 9 innings, so he could easily surpass the 200 strikeout mark in 2015, and should have an ERA somewhere in the 3.00-4.00 range. Carrasco will be eligible for arbitration for the first time in 2015 and will be 28 entering the 2015 season.
Lonnie Chisenhall: 142 G, .280 BA, .343 OBP, .427 SLG, 13 HR, 59 RBI, 3 SB, 62 R, 134 H, 29 2B, 1 3B, 1.5 WAR
2014 Review: For about 2 months, all Lonnie Baseball did was hit. His season hit a high point on June 9th, when he went 5-for-5 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI. At the time Chisenhall was led the AL with a batting average of .385. However, from June 10th on, Chisenhall batted only .227. That being said, Lonnie still had his best season as a pro, and proved that he could hit left handed pitchers, as he had a .294 average against southpaws.
2015 Prediction: The Indians may use Chisenhall’s breakout year as trade bait. The Indians have a plethora of young, talented infielders. Defensively, Chisenhall is one of the worst 3rd basemen in the league. The Indians may look to trade Chisenhall for pitching, then move Jose Ramirez or Francisco Lindor, or even Zach Walters, to third base. Or the Indians could keep Chisenhall for his bat, hoping he improves on his breakout 2014 year. Chisenhall will be 26 at the start of the 2015 season, and will be arbitration eligible for the first time.
Kyle Crockett: 4-1, 1.80 ERA, 43 G, 30.0 IP, 8 BB, 28 K, 1.133 WHIP, 1.1 WAR
2014 Review: Crockett was the first player from the 2013 draft to make it to the Major Leagues. After being called up in mid-May, Crockett became a lefty-specialist and excelled in that position.
2015 Prediction: Crockett will begin the year with the Indians and will have the same role as the all-important left-handed reliever. Crockett will enter his first year of pre-arbitration in 2015 and will be 23 at the start of 2015.
Chris Dickerson: 41 G, .224 BA, .309 OBP, .327 SLG, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 SB, 12 R, 22 H, 4 2B, 0 3B, 0.1 WAR
2014 Review: The Indians acquired Dickerson on July 7 from the Pirates for a player to be named later or cash. Dickerson made an immediate impact with the Tribe, batting .375 in his first 11 games. However, then Dickerson reverted back to his normal self, as his average fell to .224 before the Indians released him on September 16th.
2015 Prediction: Chris Dickerson will be a free agent in the off season, making him eligible to sign anywhere he wants. He will be 33 to start the 2015 season.
Jason Giambi: 26 G, 60 AB, .133 BA, .257 OBP, .267 SLG, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R, 8 H, 2 2B, 0 3B, -0.5 WAR
2015 Review: Giambi was able to muster up 2 home runs for the Tribe in 2014, but spent most of the year feigning a knee injury, so that he could remain with the team, but did not have to play.
2015 Prediction: According to Giambi, there is still a chance he comes back and plays. I put those odds at about 1 in a million. More likely is that Giambi becomes either a manager or a coach.
Chris Gimenez: 8 G, 9 AB, .000 BA, .100 OBP, .000 SLG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 2B, 0 3B, -0.3 WAR
2014 Review: The Indians acquired Gimenez on August 23rd, for future considerations. I have no idea why he even played a single inning with the Tribe.
2015 Prediction: Gimenez will be a free agent during the offseason, and will be 32 at the start of the 2015 season.
Yan Gomes: 135 G, 485 AB, .278 BA, .313 OBP, .472 SLG, 21 HR, 74 RBI, 0 SB, 61 R, 135 H, 25 2B, 3 3B, 4.4 WAR
2014 Review: Coming into the 2014 season, many wondered if Yan Gomes could handle the being the full time catcher. Not only could Gomes handle it, he far exceeded expectations. Gomes’ season WAR of 4.4 ranked him as the 4th best catcher in the MLB, and the best catcher in the AL. His defense fell a little bit, as his 14 errors were the most by a catcher in the AL, but he also threw out the 2nd most runners in the AL.
2015 Prediction: Gomes will enter the 2015 season as the Indians starting catcher. Look for his overall numbers to improve as he enters the prime of his career. With the lack of talented catchers in the AL, Gomes will be a top candidate to represent the Indians at the All-Star game. Gomes will be 27 at the start of the 2015 season, and thanks to a contract extension, will be in a Tribe uniform until at least 2019. Gomes is scheduled to make $1 million next year.
Nick Hagadone: 1-0, 2.70 ERA, 35 G, 23.1 IP, 6 BB, 27 K, 1.029 WHIP, 0.6 WAR
2014 Review: Through the first three years of Hagadone’s career, he had an ERA of 5.59 and had walked 42 batters in 67.2 innings. So, naturally, he started the year in Triple-A. However, with the bullpen being overworked, the Indians needed more arms, so he returned to the Majors. Hagadone looked like a completely different pitcher, averaging 10.4 strikeouts per 9 innings, and walking only 6 batters. Hagadone gave the Indians another left-handed option out of the bullpen.
2015 Prediction: Thanks to a strong 2014, Hagadone looks to start the year with the Indians in April. If his 2014 was no fluke, then the Indians are getting a strong, flame throwing left hander out of the bullpen to team with Kyle Crockett and Marc Rzepczynski. Hagadone will be 29 at the start of the 2015 season, and will be arbitration eligible for the first time, this off season.
Tyler Holt: 36 G, 71 AB, .268 BA, .307 OBP, .296 SLG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2 SB, 4 R, 19 H, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0.3 WAR
2014 Review: Holt started the year in Double-A, then moved up to Triple-A mid-season. During his time in the minors, he hit .305 and stole 31 bases. Holt was called up to the Indians when Michael Bourn went on the DL. Holt wasn’t much with the bat, but played solid defense in his time with the Tribe.
2015 Prediction: Holt will most likely start next season as the starting center fielder for the AAA Columbus Clippers. Holt’s role with the Indians will be as an injury replacement player or as a September call-up. Holt will be 26 at the start of the 2015 season.
T.J. House: 5-3, 3.35 ERA, 18 GS, 102.0 IP, 22 BB, 80 K, 1.324 WHIP, 2.0 WAR
2014 Review: House started the year in Triple-A, was called up to the Indians and became a full time starter when Justin Masterson went on the DL and was then traded. As the season went on, House kept getting stronger and stronger. His strikeout rate increased and his walk rate decreased the more the season went on. House finally gave the Indians a reliable left-handed starter, since the days of Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia.
2015 Prediction: If the Indians stand pat and do not add any starting pitching in the off season, then House projects as the Indians 5th starter. However, the Indians will add (maybe) multiple pitchers in the off season. Spring training will determine if House gets a shot at the starting rotation in 2015. House will be 25 at the start of the 2015 season, and will qualify for pre-arbitration for the first time.
— Chris Sladoje (@CST_Doje)
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