Weekly Wroundtable: Which Cleveland Indians’ player will improve most?

Sep 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) hits an RBI double in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-6. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Can Carlos Santana and Lonnie Chisenhall have more than half a season of success?

Justin Lada: The most improved player this season had a pretty good season in 2014, but should be more consistent this year. I think this is the year Carlos Santana avoids the slows tart and keeps his average around .260-.270 for a change. I think 30 home runs this year is attainable, and having a hitter like Moss behind him will be a huge boost. Plus, now he is a full-time first baseman, and that takes a lot of weight off of him. He’s not trying learn how not to be a disaster at third base, or avoiding concussions while catching. In that process, he also became a pretty solid defensive first baseman. 

More from Away Back Gone

• Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
• Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
• Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
• The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season

Brian Heise: I think the most improved player for the Indians this coming season will be Lonnie Chisenhall. As a fan base, we’ve all been waiting patiently for Chisenhall to deliver on the promise of his talent. Last season, it looked like he finally began to turn the corner, and he broke out in a big way. In the process, Chiz took a firm hold of the everyday job at third base and built up what was once a very shaky level of confidence. By season’s end, he had a swagger about him that we hadn’t seen before. Because of last year’s success, I think the time is right for Chisenhall to emerge as one of the best third basemen in all of baseball. It’s clear that he understands what pitchers are doing and is able to make adjustments. That’s something that comes from experience; experience he was finally allowed the chance to gain in 2014. If he is able to make the leap to the next level as a major leaguer in terms of his overall offensive production, the Indians will have a real shot at not only winning the Central division, but also making a deep postseason run.

Next: Will Trevor Bauer and T.J. House follow in Kluber's footsteps?