Cleveland Indians: Updated Projected Opening Day Lineup

1. Shortstop, Amed Rosario

2020 Stats (NYM): .252/.272/.371 4 HR, 15 RBI’s 

At a glance, Amed Rosario‘s numbers don’t look to be one of a leadoff hitter.

Rosario, who was acquired by Cleveland from the Mets in the Lindor deal, has struggled with plate discipline his entire career, which could be problematic in the leadoff spot, but a deeper dig suggests the Indians will still bat him atop the order.

The main reason for this is the Indians truly don’t have a reliable leadoff hitter on the roster and have hopes Rosario will be in that role for years to come; thus, they might as well place him there and let him get his feet wet.

2. Third Base, Jose Ramirez

2020 Stats: .292/386/.607 17 HR, 46 RBI’s 

For the second time in his career, Jose Ramirez finished as a top three finalist for the MVP Award last season.

With Lindor gone and Hernandez also unlikely to return, Ramirez will likely move from the three spot in the order up to the two hole.

Most teams’ across baseball hit their top hitter second unless they’re better suited for the leadoff spot given speed. Ramirez doesn’t fall under that category so second feels like a natural fit for the Indians top all-around player.

3. DH, Franmil Reyes

2020 Stats: .275/.344/.450, 9HR, 34 RBI’s

Lost in the shadows of Ramirez’ success and an overall awful year at the plate for the Indians, Franmil Reyes had a solid year at the DH spot in 2020.

The right-handed slugger was one of the few consistent bats in the Indians lineup, earning the 25-year-old a vital role in the teams’ future plans.

Expect Reyes to protect Ramirez in the lineup as, on paper, he is the Indians’ second-best hitter and perhaps their top power threat.

4. Left Field, Josh Naylor

2020 Stats (with SD & CLE): .247/.291/.330 1HR, 6 RBI’s 

Josh Naylor came over to the Indians as part of the Mike Clevinger trade last August and now finds himself having gone from fringe major leaguer in San Diego to having a chance to hit cleanup every day for the Indians.

Naylor was Cleveland’s best hitter in their playoff series loss against the Yankees, hitting .714 with a home run and three RBI’s in the two-game set.

He has the ability to play multiple positions, but the Indians plan to use him in left field, where he’ll likely find himself a starting role and spot smack in the middle of the Indians batting order.

5. Catcher, Austin Hedges

2020 Stats (with SD & CLE) .145/.231/.290 3 HR, 6 RBI’s 

While Roberto Perez is a far-better defensive catcher than Austin Hedges, Hedges bat may just earn him the nod as the Indians’ primary catcher next season.

Hedges struggled in 2020 at the plate but is not far removed from three-straight double-digit home run seasons (2017-2019) and establishing himself as a fringe top-10 catcher in all of baseball.

The Indians added him in the Clevinger trade for a reason, so expect him to earn a significant role on the 2021 squad, even if that is in an attempt to boost his trade value come summertime.

6. First Base, Jake Bauers

2019 Stats (DNP in 2020): .226/.312/.371 12 HR’s, 43 RBI’s

Perhaps the biggest question for the Indians entering 2021 is who will play first base. Carlos Santana manned that position last season and for much of the past decade and with the patient switch-hitter now in Kansas City, Cleveland has a hole to fill.

Look for former top prospect of the Tampa Bay Rays Jake Bauers to be given the first opportunity at first. Bauers spent the entire 2020 season in Lake County at Cleveland’s alternate site. After spending his rookie season of 2018 with the Rays, he joined the Indians via trade in 2019 and hit 12 home runs.

The left-handed bat plays first base and left field and could provide the team with much-needed middle of the order power from the left side of the plate.

7. Second Base, Yu Chang

2020 Stats: .182/.308/.182 0 HR, 1 RBI

Even with the addition of promising infielder Andres Gimenez from the Mets, manager Terry Francona seems ready to give Yu Chang the first crack as the teams’ starting second basemen.

Chang has only played in 38 big league games and is a career .182 hitter, but he offers versatility as he plays second base, shortstop and third and the Indians feel he can eventually be an everyday player at the MLB level.

Thus, expect Chang to get a chance to start but to be on a short leash with Gimenez waiting in the wings.

8. Centerfield, Bradley Zimmer

2020 Stats: .162/.360/.243 1HR, 3 RBI’s

With the Indians non-tendering Delino DeShields Jr, former first round pick Bradley Zimmer figures to get one final chance to prove himself in centerfield.

Injuries have played a key role in Zimmer’s struggles, but last season, while healthy, he lasted just 20 games before his struggles forced the Indians to send him down to the teams’ alternate site.

If it weren’t for a lack of depth, Zimmer’s time in Cleveland would likely already be over. Instead he’ll likely get a shot to start in 2021.

9. Right Field, Oscar Mercado

2020 Stats: .128/.174/.174 1HR, 6 RBI’s

After earning rookie of the year consideration in 2019, Oscar Mercado found himself riding the bench in 2020 after a horrendous sophomore season long slump.

Despite this, he still has a high ceiling and ability to play all three outfield positions giving him and with the teams’ lack of outfield depth, he should surely get a chance for redemption in 2021.

Expect him at the bottom of the order to hopefully be a tone-setter, which could lead to him instead kicking off the top of the order by seasons’ end.

Starting Pitcher: Shane Bieber

2020 Stats: 8-1. 1.63 ERA, 122 K’s, 77.1 IP

On opening day, the easiest decision for Francona will be handing the ball to Shane Bieber and letting him go to work.

Bieber had one of the best single seasons’ of any Indians starting pitcher in team history as he cruised his way to his first career Cy Young Award.

Any time Bieber is on the mound, the Indians have a chance to win, given as he does not need much run-support to get the job done