Cleveland Indians: 3 prospects that could see regular playing time in 2021

The Cleveland Indians could see a good amount of roster turnover heading into the 2021 season, so who are three prospects that could step up next year?

This offseason could be an interesting one for the Cleveland Indians. Not only will the Tribe lose a few influential players in free agency, but are also expected to part with at least Francisco Lindor through trades, maybe more. With so many changes potentially coming to the roster, there will be both an opportunity and a necessity for prospects to step up during the 2021 season.

While free agents and trades will create openings at some positions, others will just have a simple need for production that could open the door to players in the minors. Luckily, the Indians have one of the strongest minor leagues in baseball and should be able to supply the talent needed to keep the Tribe at the competitive level we’ve come to know and expect.

When looking at the list of the top prospects in the Cleveland Indians’ organization, there are more than a handful that could make their debut during the 2021 season, depending on what trades unfold and what comes to the Tribe in return. However, there are three that standout from the rest given the talent ahead of them on the roster and their own talent as well.

With Cesar Hernandez becoming a free agent and the possibility of the Indians declining the option of Carlos Santana, Cleveland could have multiple holes to fill in the field and just as much offensive production to make up for. Since the club seems committed to cutting payroll even further entering the 2021 season, it can be assumed that the replacements will come from within the organization.

With all that being said, these three prospects will have the chance to emerge during the 2021 season and take over roles on the roster of the Cleveland Indians. It might take a little bit for them to settle in, but from who is available in-house, they are the favorites to see an opportunity for the Tribe next year.

Daniel Johnson, OF

There’s no question that the Cleveland Indians need outfield help and while Daniel Johnson was given a brief shot during the 2020 season, he could grow into a much bigger role in 2021. Like all the players on this list, Johnson would have benefited from a minor league season in 2020, which hurt his stats during his short stint.

During the 2020 season, Johnson appeared in five games for the Tribe seeing just 12 at-bats. Over those he slashed just .083/.154/.083 with just one hit and one walk. However, his stats from the minors give a better hint of what could come from Johnson once he is able to adjust to what he saw this past season.

In the 2019 season, Johnson played 84 games for Triple-A Columbus and had an impressive campaign. His slash line was much better at .306/.371/.496 while he was able to log 27 doubles and nine home runs.

Those numbers were much closer to what Johnson has been able to post across his career in the minors. If the Cleveland Indians can give him steady playing time to allow him to find his groove, he could blossom into an every day player for Cleveland by the end of the 2021 season. Having the ability to play either of the corner outfield spots, there could very easily be a spot for Johnson to slide into if he can improve and impress over the offseason and into spring training.

Nolan Jones, INF

The No. 1 prospect for the Cleveland Indians, Nolan Jones has yet to make his major league debut, but could see a lot of playing time in the 2021 season, the question will just be where. So far, Jones has been strictly a third baseman in the minors with the exception of five games at shortstop, but the Indians are having him play both outfield and first during fall ball.

One theory is that Jones could take over first base from Carlos Santana or maybe even move into the outfield and provide a much needed spark for the Tribe. However, if there is a trade involving Jose Ramirez, Jones might even be able to slide into his natural position.

What could hold Jones back is his lack of experience. The loss of the 2020 minor league season might have really hurt his development as he’s only been able to play 49 games at Double-A for his highest level of experience. He was still able to produce over that short stint and do enough that might still put him into the majors in 2021.

Over those 49 games with Akron, Jones was able to put together a rather balanced stat line with 10 doubles, two triples and eight home runs, resulting in 22 RBI. His average was also, well, average at .253.

Jones might be given a brief run in Triple-A to start the 2021 season to give him that experience, but otherwise he should be able to make the jump to the major leagues in the very near future.