CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians couldn’t let Triston McKenzie go another season without pitching. The former first-round team in 2015 missed 2019 and half of the 2018 season due to injuries.
They also needed to take a look at side guard Nick Sandlin. His 2018 No. 2 pick underwent surgery on his right forearm last season. If not for that, I would have been to the major league camp in February.
So including them and other prospects on Sunday in their group of players who will train at Classic Field in Eastlake for the MLB’s 60-game season made sense.
Catcher Bo Naylor, the Tribe’s No. 1 pick in 2018, deserved to be seen after 40% of his successes went to extra bases last season in Lake County Class A. The same goes for the infielder. Aaron Bracho and outfielder George Valera, part of the much talked about group of international free agents that the Indians have been busy signing for the past few years.
Tyler Freeman, the contact machine who has 246 visits in the past two seasons, earned himself a look. Who knows, he could be playing in the middle of the Tribe’s infield in a year or two. Nolan Jones, who made a cameo at Major League Baseball this spring, could join him at third base.
But make no mistake, how far the Indians go in this unusual season will depend on the part of this organization that has averaged 95 wins per season in the past four years. The streak includes three division titles, an American League pennant and a trip to the World Series.
If this season is played to completion, with the permission of the coronavirus, and fans are hearing more about McKenzie, Ethan Hankins, Daniel Espino, Naylor, Bracho, and Valera, then things have not gone well. If the performance of the 2020 Indians is driven by an initial rotation led by Shane Bieber, Mike Clevinger and Carrasco with the offensive provided by Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana, José Ramírez, Franmil Reyes, Roberto Pérez, Tyler Naquin, Jordan Luplow and Oscar Mercado Well, you may have a chance on this one season bell turn.
The tribe’s group of players includes the main perspectives of the organization: Joe Noga
The heart of this team begins with the rotation of Bieber, Clevinger, Carrasco, Adam Plutko, Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale. Logan Allen, Jefry Rodríguez and Scott Moss are right behind them. On Friday, Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, said that when the Indians officially start Spring Training II on July 1, it will not be their first day of camp. It will be their 27th day because they have already been in spring training mode for 26 days thanks to the power of Zoom’s calls with their position trainers.
That’s an issue that started with the pitching staff in late April. They discussed identifying a “sale date” and training for it. The sale date has arrived.
The bullpen is a question mark. It has been established closer to Brad Hand and the remains of Adam Cimber, Oliver Perez and Nick Wittgren. Jame Karinchak and non-list guests Anthony Gose, Cam Hill, and Dominic Leone could also help. Kyle Nelson and Sandlin perspectives may be available depending on the situation.
Carlos Santana’s infield at first base, César Hernández at second, Lindor at shortstop and Ramírez at third is one of the best in the big leagues. They are all hitters, which is a dream come true for manager Terry Francona. I would have preferred to watch them for 162 games, but 60 games is better than no game.
Perez comes from one of the best defensive seasons for a Tribe catcher in franchise history. He showed power too. Sandy Leon supports it. Beau Taylor will join Pérez and León to train at Progressive Field and could be the third receiver to accompany the teams on road trips as part of the three-man taxi squad.
The Indians went to spring I in February with a herd of gardeners. The virus ended camp on March 12 before the herd could shrink, so everyone is back for Spring Training II: Greg Allen, Jake Bauers, Delino DeShields, Daniel Johnson, Luplow, Mercado, Reyes, Naquin, Domingo Santana and Bradley Zimmer. .
Three weeks of training camp is not enough time to find out who will play where in that group. The good news is that the teams will open the season with a roster of 30 players. Outfielders will not train at Classic Park, a 30-minute drive from Progressive Field.
The Indians announced just 55 players for their group of 60 players on Sunday. They are expected to hit 60 before practice begins. But the players who count, who will bear the weight, are already here.
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