Cleveland Indians: Two minor leaguers who can help this team now

Injuries have left some roster holes to fill. The Cleveland Indians may need to search outside their current 40-man roster for the answers.

The return from an 11-game road trip hasn’t been kind to the Cleveland Indians. With the slew of injuries this week, now including Jason Kipnis’ recurring hamstring struggles, it appears the Indians may need to look outside the 40-man roster to boost their late-August lineup.

Anytime an organization makes changes to its 40-man in August it brings ramifications, most obviously the need to designate a current player and expose them to the other 29 clubs. The Indians do seem to have a simple outlet here in Diego Moreno, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay on July 29.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and when your roster is without four of its hitting regulars, a move may need to be made before roster expansion. Again, these are two names outside the 40-man the Indians may have a desire to pull up before September due to injuries.

Ronny Rodriguez

Rodriguez has had a pretty solid 2017 campaign, and he is cemented as the top prospect to pull onto the 40-man should the Tribe feel the need.

He went down with an oblique injury in early June, but since coming back he has been one of the most consistent bats in Columbus. He is currently slashing .296/.329/.475 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI. He has never been one to walk often, only totaling 21 walks on the year, but he is consistently making hard contact.

Rodriguez can play multiple positions in the infield and has corner outfield experience as well. Mix his position flexibility and 12 stolen bases, with a hot bat in the last 30 days (.339 average) and the Tribe may have a solution in the short-term with the injury issues.

Richie Shaffer

Shaffer has had a really special season in Columbus. He has anchored the middle of the Clippers batting order to the tune of 28 home runs and 85 RBI. Those numbers would seem misleading in hitter-friendly Huntington Park, but his road/home splits show he is still producing on the road (12 home runs).

His average isn’t great (.235), and he strikes out too much (169 Ks) to feel extremely confident, but his power with his reformed swing have led to some numbers that can’t be ignored. Shaffer could provide plenty of pop in some pinch-hit opportunities come September.

The options here aren’t ideal, and they don’t make much of sense for the immediate future. The Indians most likely recall Erik Gonzalez if Kipnis is faced with more DL time, and Lonnie Chisenhall will be back before long to bolster the outfield.

Trade targets can also be pursued – names such as Brandon Phillips and Asdrubal Cabrera will be floated. An injury rush such as this makes Cleveland face some tough decisions when they would prefer not to. I tend to place faith in whatever decision the front office makes. Their recent track record allows it.