Away Back Gone
FanSided

Cleveland Indians: Updated Projected Opening Day Lineup

By Aaron Gershon

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 26: Third baseman Yu Chang #2 of the Cleveland Indians in his ready stance during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on July 26, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 26: Third baseman Yu Chang #2 of the Cleveland Indians in his ready stance during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on July 26, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 07: Jake Bauers #10 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 7, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 07: Jake Bauers #10 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 7, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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.

Home/Cleveland Guardians News