Cleveland Indians: 5 players who surprised in April

3 of 6

Apr 28, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Carlos Carrasco

In five starts, Carlos Carrasco has put together a 2.04 ERA, with a 0.792 WHIP in 35.1 innings. Those are very strong numbers and they maybe a sign that Carrasco is taking a big step forward in his age-30 season.

Early in Carrasco’s major league career, he was a struggling starter looking to get his feet under him. He missed all of 2012 injured after Tommy John surgery, then spent his first two years back splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen.

He has exclusively worked as a starter for the past two years, though, and he has been able to keep his ERA in the 3’s, while making at least 25 starts both years.

There’s something different about Carrasco this year. He seems to have figured out how to pitch out of jams and avoid big innings.

However, he has to get more run support moving forward for the team to cash in on his success, as he currently has a 2-2 record.

With the rest of the starting staff off to varying degrees of poor starts, the Indians probably couldn’t be happier than with what they’ve gotten from Carrasco so far.

Home/Cleveland Guardians News