Cleveland Indians: The Rajai Effect

With the uncertainty of star left fielder Michael Brantley, who’s sidelined again with the should injury, the Cleveland Indians are looking toward their new free agent outfield speedster, Rajai Davis. 

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Davis sent the 2015 season with the Detroit Tigers, appearing in 112 games, taking 341 at-bats, hitting .258 with 8 home runs, 30 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases. This nine-year veteran, from Norwich, CT, will be 36 years old this October and the Tribe was hoping when they signed him in the off-season that he still had enough left in the tank to help ignite the offence. To this point, he’s not disappointing.

"Rajai Davis talk about going 5 for 44 in his last 13 games, then was given a day off. “It’s always nice to step away and just not get in your mind so much, and take a break and think about what has made you successful and get back to that focus that helped you to be successful at the start. I’m focused. I was able to change my focus and now I’m focused on just beating pitchers”"

Rajai is providing the Tribe with exactly what was missing from last season. He is batting .250, with 4 HR’s, 18 RBI’s, his OPS is .731, and most impressively he has 9 SB’s. Leadership, speed, and smarts are pushing the Tribe up in the standing.

The Indians know exactly where to place Rajai in the lineup, taking advantage of his great OPS, and have him batting in front of Francisco Lindor, followed by the usual suspects which now includes right-handed hitting slugger, Mike Napoli.

The Indians have a great balance of young and old, speed and power, combined with a strong starting rotation. If players like Yan Gomes and Lonnie Chisenhall can find their grooves again, and new veterans Davis and Napoli can keep performing, it’s just a matter of time before the Indians leapfrog the Chicago White Sox and take over first place in the division.

Next: Dan Otero a Bullpen Weapon

So while we all wait patiently for the return of Number 23, the old guys are getting it done.