CLEVELAND, Ohio: The Indians were gone Monday. Their record is 10-7. In this baseball season of 60 games, that means the team is already at the quarterfinals. To be exact, 28% of the season is gone. Write about what we have learned so far:
From team president Chris Antonetti to GM Mike Chernoff to manager Terry Francona to the coaching staff, leadership has been strong at the age of COVID-19. The Indian players put together a code of conduct to prevent an outbreak of the virus in the team. It was embraced by management and implemented.
2. When baseball goes up again, Antonetti and Francona both mentioned the Tribe can use self-discipline and team unity as an advantage to stay healthy and keep the team from losing games to the virus. Franmil Reyes was kept away from the team for three days when he went to an event on the Fourth of July without a mask. He did not test positive for the virus, but a message was sent.
3. You could hear the disappointment and anger in the voices of several members of the organization when Zach Plesac broke team rules and went out with friends to Saturday’s game. He was sent home. Now he will be tested for the virus a few times before he can return to the team.
4. Then broke the new Monday night that Mike Clevinger was also out when the team was in Chicago. He was pulled from his start on Tuesday night against the Cubs, replaced by Adam Plukto. Like Plesac, he will be quarantined and will have to pass some COVID-19 tests. That Tribe has two starters waiting, at least for a few days.
5. The Indians disciplined each other and tried to stay away from large groups. They have watched the Cardinals, Marlins and some other teams hard and lost games to the virus. The Indians also claim for everyone that certain members of the organization such as Francona and pitcher Carlos Carrasco have a history of health problems that make them very vulnerable to a harsh reaction to the virus.
That’s why there was so much disappointment with Plesac. This team has strong chemistry. They stress about doing things together. They also know what happened to Plesac and his public discipline will serve as positive peer pressure for the rest of the team. Meanwhile, Plesac can certainly re-establish itself with the organization with a sincere apology and by being self-disciplined.
7. Francona was out for more than a week with health problems (non-virus). He’s coming back for Tuesday’s game. Antonetti has been very helpful in conducting several Press conferences in the absence of the manager. That’s especially important, with bank coach Brad Mills and battle coach Ty Van Burkleo also leaving the team, as they opted for the season for personal reasons.
8. One of my favorite baseball people is Sandy Alomar, and he stepped into the leadership role with Francona. He worked with the front office and the coaching staff adjusting to new roles to handle this team of adversity.
Cleveland Indians second baseman Cesar Hernandez hit a 3 RBI double in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
9. I have heard from some fans that the Indians need to put Francisco Lindor back on the leadoff spot. I’m sure it’s been discussed. Lindor had a miserable season on the plate, hitting .221 (.671 OPS). Its base percentage is .274. He has only four walks compared to 14 strikeouts. Lindor had given the lead the last few seasons.
10. The Indians signed veteran second baseman Cesar Hernandez with the idea of him in front and Lindor handballed third. From 2017-19, the average was 34 HR, 86 RBI with an OPS of .855. The Indians wanted that power on the no. 3rd place.
11. Hernandez had some success as a leadoffitter with the Phillies earlier in his career. The Indians place him at the top of the order. He hits .305 with a .414 base percentage. That’s exactly what you want from a leadoff guy. Therefore, I think the Indians refrain from changing the lineup.
12. Lindor’s problems are impatience with the ball. He turns in places in the dirt. He tries to pull the ball too far. In a normal 162-game season, not much would be said about his slow start. But there is nothing normal this year. He is the highest paid player of the team and should form on the plate.
13. If you ask yourself, Lindor and Carlos Santana are both reported to be paid $ 17.5 million (normal salary) for 2020. But the Indians are paying Santana $ 14 million, the rest will be picked up by other teams in that three-way deal for the 2019 season.
14. Santana has had a strange / frustrating year. He has a .451 base percentage. His 23 walks lead the American League, and his .451 OBP is no. 2. But he bakes only .188 with a homer and three RBI. Like Lindor, it’s time for him to strike.
15. This is a down season for hitters. The average MLB team plays .231. But even with that low standard, the handball average of the tribe ‘196 is the lowest in baseball. For those who love OPS, they are on a miserable .610 – 29th of 30 teams.
16. That said, the Indians are 10-7. Their pitching is unlikely to remain at an MLB-best 2.05 ERA. But their boys can really pitch. Give a lot of credit not only to pitching coach Carl Willis, but also his assistants Ruben Niebla, Brian Sweeney and Eric Binder. While Binder is mentioned at VP of baseball operations, he specializes in pitching, analytics and bringing it all together.
Cleveland Indians designated hitter Franmil Reyes hits a 2 RBI single in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
17. Former Tribe Assistant GM Dan O’Dowd told me that the Indians have won the reputation as the best baseball organization for developing pitchers. It’s a combination of new and old school approach, along with sharp scouting.
18. Franmil Reyes is a boy who can carry the offense for a while. After hitting .171 in its first 10 games, the Big Man beats .348 with a few homers and seven RBIs in the last six games. After a while, teams Santana ran up to place after the then beating Reyes. That should change now.
19. As for the other Santana – Domingo Santana – he showed very little: Batting .188 (.678 OPS) with a homer and two RBI. He has fanned 11 times in 32 at bat.
20. Young outfielders Jordan Luplow and Oscar Mercado are a combined 6-for-64 (.093) with 19 strikeouts, four walks and one homer. Bradley Zimmer only plays .214, but at least he has a .395 base percentage. He should stay in the field for a while now. I keep hearing that Tyler Naquin is recovering from his broken toe. They need him.
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