Cleveland Indians: Way-too-early 2021 Opening Day Lineup Projections

Will the Indians make any outfield upgrades? Not if they opt to start rebuilding. Here’s how the opening day outfield might shakeout.

Left Field: Josh Naylor

After the performance Josh Naylor put together in the postseason, it’s hard to see the former Padre not getting a chance to be the Indians every day left fielder next season.

Naylor was incredible during Cleveland’s Wild Card series with the Yankees as he batted .714 in the series by going 5/7 with a home run and three RBI’s. The 23-year old was a key piece in a trade that allowed the Indians to move Mike Clevinger to San Diego, thus expect Naylor to get a chance to play every day in 2021.

Center Field: Delino DeShields

Delino DeShields will likely get another chance to establish himself as the Indians starting center fielder last season.

In his first season with the Indians after coming over in a trade with the Texas Rangers, DeShields slashed .252/.310/.318. While these numbers were less than impressive, he posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, giving him plenty of value at the bottom of the order.

Right Field: Oscar Mercado

After a Rookie of the Year caliber season in 2019, Oscar Mercado found himself in a sophomore slump in 2020.

He slashed just .128/.174/.174 with one home run and six RBI’s. Perhaps what Mercado needs is a position change to worry less about the pressure of playing center field and play in right while hopefully improving at the plate.

DH: Franmil Reyes

Franmil Reyes was one of the few bright spots of the Indians offense last season. The former Padre slashed .275/.344/.450 with nine home runs and 34 RBI’s.

He has the ability to play right field, but after his 2020 success, the Indians will likely keep him at the Designated Hitter spot.