Cleveland Indians Roundtable: Bold predictions for 2018

Dan Zerby

Bold Prediction: Lonnie Chisenhall will have a career year

Lonnie Chisenhall led the team with 51 RBIs before the All Star Break in 2017, but he was limited to just 18 games in the second half. As 2018 approaches, he will look to sustain his success for a full season.

Throughout the course of his seven-year career, 29-year-old Lonnie Chisenhall has yet to have a full season in the major leagues. Early on in his career, his struggles kept him moving back and forth between the minor leagues and the big league club. Since putting it all together, he has been held back by injuries. Lonnie played a career high 126 games in 2016, and was held to just 82 this past season.

Over the years, Lonnie has shown flashes of brilliance, but has yet to be able to continue it for a full season. While nobody will ever forget his 5-5/ 3HR/ 9 RBI game on June 9th, 2014, his 2017 season went largely unnoticed. Lonnie ended his first half with 12 HR/ 13 2B/ 51 RBI/ .305 BA/ .376 OBP/ .578 SLG/ .953 OPS.

Despite these very strong numbers from Lonnie, the Indians disappointing 47-40 record at the break distracted from it. Chisenhall’s injury riddled second half limited him to only 18 games, in which he hit just .224 with 2 RBI.

As the regular season approaches, it seems as if Lonnie will be an everyday outfielder for the Cleveland Indians. Terry Francona does like to platoon Lonnie, and with Brandon Guyer’s track record against left-handed pitching, Lonnie might be more of a platoon. However, we also do not know how well Zimmer will hit lefties, or how well Brantley will hold up in the outfield every day. Guyer is primarily a left fielder by trade, and Lonnie saw some time in center this past season.

This makes it very plausible that Lonnie will indeed be an everyday player. Lonnie has never been an everyday player for a long period of time, but it is my belief that if he can stay healthy in 2018, this year will be a career year for him.