As the Indians’ season plays itself out, the best the team can hope for is to play a spoilers’ role the last two months of the campaign. What do fans have to look forward to? A couple of months watching a few Indians having outstanding years, but also viewing the struggles of young players trying to earn major league jobs for the 2009 season. Mix in being able to look at some prospects for the first time, and that is what the Tribe’s season has turned into as we turn the calendar to August.
We know we go back and forth on Jhonny Peralta, but his recent torrid stretch has quietly made his season a very good one. According to the VORP (Value Above Replacement Player) ranking on Baseball Prospectus.com, Peralta is the second best shortstop in the American League, behind only Texas’ Michael Young. The much-maligned SS is now hitting .271/.312/.495 with 17 HR and 57 RBI. We realize he is no Omar Vizquel defensively, but he is better with the glove than future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. And if you think I’m insane, watch some Yankee games and look at his range. When people say the Tribe has certainty at only two positions (Sizemore in CF and Martinez at C), they are mistaken. Jhonny Peralta will be the Cleveland shortstop next season.
Speaking of Sizemore, he’s another Indian having a spectacular campaign. Besides being 2nd in the AL in home runs, he is tied for 3rd in total bases, and ranks 6th in the league in runs scored despite the Tribe offense being sub par for most of the year. He’s hitting .279/.384/.543, which rivals the numbers he put up in 2006, when he pounded out more than 50 doubles. In fact, he is on pace to hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs this season. Add in 26 stolen bases, and if the Tribe were in contention, you would be looking at an MVP season for the 26-year-old gold glove outfielder.
Of course, the other huge season being had by an Indian is that of lefty Cliff Lee. Lee is the front-runner for the Cy Young Award, which would be the second in a row won by a Cleveland pitcher. The southpaw is going for his major league leading 15th win tonight against Detroit. He currently has a 2.29 ERA and his strikeout to walk ratio is an amazing 120:20. Lee started the season on an unbelievable roll, and really hasn’t had any drop off. He’s been the best pitcher in the American League all season long.
There is one other player to say good things about as well. Shin-Soo Choo is hitting just .259, but half of his hits (36) are for extra bases. He has an on-base percentage of over. 350 and a slugging percentage of over .450, which means you are a good offensive player. It’s time to see him against some left-handed pitchers.
The Indians are currently 8th in the AL in runs scored, ranking 7th in slugging percentage and only 10th in on base percentage. The extra base power has increased due to players like Choo, Kelly Shoppach (.466 slugging percentage) and Peralta, who now has 50 extra base hits on the season. The low OBP is due to having young, impatient hitters who have had trouble working counts.
Anthony Reyes made his first start at Buffalo last night, pitching five innings and allowing three runs in getting the win. It would not be surprising to see Reyes starting here soon in place of Matt Ginter, who struggled yesterday. Nor would it be a shock to see Zach Jackson, acquired in the Sabathia deal, in Cleveland soon. He has put up a 1.08 ERA at Buffalo and has started his last two appearances.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 