Cleveland Indians: 10 bold predictions for the 2017 season

The Cleveland Indians are going into the 2017 season looking to defend their AL title. Here, we explore 10 bold predictions for 2017.

As the regular season is about to begin, the Cleveland Indians are ready to defend their American League title. They made minimal, but impactful moves this offseason, and everything seems to be set up for another deep postseason run.

Aside from Jason Kipnis‘s injury, the Indians will continue to grow as they have one of the youngest rosters in the majors. Let us explore the 10 bold predictions for 2017.

Prediction #1: Jason Kipnis will be out until the All-Star Break.

I do not trust the Cleveland Indians training staff after the Michael Brantley fiasco last year. He went from two weeks to six weeks within a few days, so I’m boldly predicting that Kipnis will miss the entire first half. He may come back for a few games in May, but they will shut him down to make sure that his shoulder heals.

Prediction #2: Michael Brantley will play 150 games.

Brantley has not played 150 games since 2014, when he had a string of three years with around 150 games played. In 2017, Brantley will come back and play in 150 games, solidifying the Tribe’s outfield rotation.

Prediction #3: Tyler Naquin will not regress in 2017.

Every major news outlet is predicting that Tyler Naquin will regress in 2017 after a meteoric rise in 2016. I am betting that he does not. Sure, his BABIP is unsustainable and he plays terrible defense in CF. But, instead of being worse, I am predicting that Brantley’s return and the Indians’ general greatness will accelerate Naquin’s development.