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2016 World Series: A Position-by-Position Breakdown of the Indians and Cubs

By Benno Martens

Oct 17, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians first baseman Mike Napoli (right) hits a solo home run in front of Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (left) during the fourth inning in game three of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians first baseman Mike Napoli (right) hits a solo home run in front of Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (left) during the fourth inning in game three of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shortstop

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) –  Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) –  Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Of all the spots on the field, shortstop promises to display as marquee a matchup as this World Series will have to offer. 22-year-olds Francisco Lindor and Addison Russell are two of the best among an unbelievable group of young shortstops in MLB, with each being able to impact every phase of the game in just their second big league seasons.

Lindor, last year’s Rookie of the Year runner-up in the AL, smashed through any fear the Indians or their fanbase may have had about a sophomore slump, slashing .301/.358/.435 with 30 doubles, 15 homers, 78 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases, all of which were career-highs.

The native of Puerto Rico was also a staple of highlight shows throughout the season due to his otherworldly defensive skills. Lindor is on the short list to take home the Gold Glove in the American League, and has, like Baez, broken out on the national stage in the postseason with his energy and enthusiasm.

Lindor is also one of the few Cleveland players riding a hot bat into this series. He went 7-for-19 against the Jays, driving in the winning runs in each of the first two ALCS games, and is slashing .323/.344/.581 overall in October, with a pair of doubles, a pair of home runs, and four runs were driven in.

Russell, who won the fan vote to start at short for the NL in the all-star game this season, also comes in swinging a hot bat. After a slow start to the postseason that saw him collect just one hit in his first 24 at-bats, the Pensacola, Florida product is six for his last 13, smacking two homers and driving in four runs.

The regular season saw Russell improve almost across the board as a big league hitter. He slashed .238/.321/.417 and saw his power numbers jump to 21 homers and 95 RBIs, giving the Cubs yet another source of production. Russell also boasts one of the strongest infield arms in the game, and with Baez forms a fluid double play combination.

Both players look to have bright futures as cornerstones of their teams for years to come, but right now, Lindor is simply counted on for more. The fact that he has delivered more than the Indians could ever have asked speaks volume for how special a player he is.

Advantage: Cleveland

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