Cleveland Indians: Previewing MLB award winners on the 2017 roster

Comeback Player of the Year

1. Michael Brantley

In a perfect world, Michael Brantley would be in all the previously listed categories, as well as this one. The fact of the matter is, nobody knows what Brantley is going to be able to produce in 2017. It is absurd to say that Brantley can come back and produce like the Michael Brantley of 2014? No. However, it is a stretch, especially with the high amount of caution that the Indians are going to handle his situation with.

Looking back on a healthy Michael Brantley will only make Indians fans smile. During a completely healthy 2014 campaign, Brantley hit .327 while driving in 97 runs and hitting 20 home runs. Along with that, he added 45 doubles as well as stealing 23 bases.

In a injury-shortened 2015, Brantley was still able to lead the American League in doubles with 45, despite missing the last 25 games of the year. Due to the precaution the Indians training staff is going to take, it’s hard to say how much production Tribe fans will see out of Brantley. If he can come back healthy and stay healthy, a rejuvenated Brantley will pick up right where he left off, winning the 2017 Comeback Player of the Year award.

Overall, Indians fans have a lot to be excited about. This roster is loaded with current talent as well as future talent. There are a number amount of players on this team who have the ability to solidify their name as some of the best players in the MLB.

Next: 10 bold predictions for the Indians in 2017

And let’s not forget about Terry Francona, who is going for his third AL Manager of the Year award in five years. All in all, it should be one fascinating year.