The Cleveland Indians are making waves early in spring training and have a legitimate shot at winning the American League Central in 2015.
If they’re going to do it, though, they’ll need all hands on deck. That hasn’t been the case so far in spring training, and three players in particular are turning heads for all the wrong reasons.
It’s important to remember that spring training stats aren’t the be-all-end-all forecaster of regular-season success, but it doesn’t hurt to get off on the right foot.
So here’s a look at three players who have been the most disappointing in Cleveland’s camp thus far.
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
Could Lonnie Chisenhall be a flash in the pan? Well, if his spring numbers are any indication, then yes, he could be.
Last year, Chisenhall had a breakout season, posting a .280/.343/.427 batting line with 43 extra-base hits (13 home runs), 59 RBI and 62 runs scored. Chisenhall also showed a great feel for the strike zone and patience at the plate, shaving his strikeout rate to 18.6 percent while bumping his walk rate to 7.3 percent.
Chisenhall‘s defense didn’t prove up to snuff last year (minus-15 UZR/150, per FanGraphs), but he had the best season of his young career.
Many hoped that success would carry over into the 2015 season, but his early spring numbers forecast a different series of events.
Take a look at the spring numbers that preceded Chisenhall‘s 2014 breakout and compare them to the numbers he’s posted through his first 13 at-bats this spring:
Chisenhall‘s numbers this spring represent a stark departure from his strong showing last spring, and although it’s only 13 at-bats, it would have been nice to see him come out of the gates a little stronger.
Michael Brantley, OF
Michael Brantley had a breakout season of grand proportions in 2014 and nearly netted himself an MVP award, coming away with a third-place finish.
Brantley is starting to look like a franchise player, and the 27-year-old is hoping to build off his standout campaign.
Unfortunately, through 12 at-bats, that plan hasn’t come to fruition, and the Florida prep product is struggling mightily:
Two hits and no walks in 12 at-bats isn’t the best way to start your spring.
Brantley is probably due for a little regression after his BAbip jumped nearly 30 points from his average prior to the 2014 season, according to Baseball-Reference.com. To be fair, the veteran outfielder also increased his line-drive percentage and improved his solid strikeout and walk rates, so the regression won’t be nearly as profound as what we’ve seen this spring.
Jose Ramirez, SS
Jose Ramirez is looking to have his name penciled in to the Indians starting lineup on a regular basis in 2015. At 21 years old, Ramirez held his own in his first extended showing at the big league level and has laid claim to the job at shortstop.
However, if he continues to struggle at the rate he has this spring, things could change.
Here’s a look at Ramirez’s spring stats through his first 15 plate appearances:
Ramirez is struggling big time, and his inability, or unwillingness, to take a walk has kept him from showcasing his full range of talents. In addition to that nonexistent walk rate, Ramirez is striking out at a 26.7 percent clip.
Entering his age-22 season, Ramirez is young and somewhat raw. His offensive game was always going to be a question mark, but if he’s going to become anything more than a utility player once Francisco Lindor makes his big league debut, he’ll need to show that he’s capable of drawing a walk, something he hasn’t shown an affinity for to this point in his career.
All stats are current through play on March 13, 2015, and come courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted.
Tyler Duma is a Featured Columnist for the Cleveland Indians on Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @TylerDuma.
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