Cleveland Indians: Three Reasons to Be Excited About 2016

Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Many fans have complained about the Cleveland Indians’ lack of high-profile moves, but there are many reasons to look forward to next season

This off-season has been rather unexciting for the Cleveland Indians. While other teams have signed top free agents like David Price and Zack Greinke, the Indians have added players like Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis. Even though these players have the potential to be great additions for the Tribe, they leave many fans thirsting for more.

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Adding more would cost the Indians either a lot of talent – from either the major or minor league – or money. Many of these possible transactions could risk ruining what Chris Antonetti and Co. have built so far. Rather than wishing for one of these big moves, let’s take a few moments to list some reasons to be excited for next year.

A Bullpen That Packs Heat

One of the most exciting times of a ballgame is the late innings. With the game on the line, nothing is as exhilarating as a power pitcher dialing it up and unleashing a triple-digit fastball. And this is a facet of the game at which the Cleveland Indians excel. Only two teams in the American League boast bullpens with higher average fastball velocities than the Tribe, and the difference between the first place New York Yankees and third place Cleveland Indians is just a few decimal points.

Take youngster Austin Adams for example. His four-seam fastball, on which he relies heavily, averages a heart-stopping 98 miles per hour. Opposing hitters have quite the challenge to jump on this blistering speed, and he has posted several strikeout rates above 30% in the minor leagues. Though this velocity creates timing problems, it also comes with a lack of movement, which has, in turn, caused hitters to hit Adams hard at times.

Another classic example of this powerful bullpen is Cody Allen. Clocking in at 96 miles per hour, his four-seam fastball features strong rising action and rates as above average. He complements this with a pitch that PITCHf/x lists as a slider but some call a curveball. Arming these two pitches together, Allen is a force with which to be reckoned, as evidenced by his elite 35% strikeout rate last season.

Next: Two More Reasons to Look Forward to Next Season