Cleveland Indians: Identifying three building blocks for the Tribe’s season

Power at the Plate

While pitching was an expected strength of this team, hitting was up in the air. The performance at the plate can still be improved, but one area that has become a strength of the lineup is power. Through the team’s first 15 games, the Tribe have clubbed 22 home runs, tied for fourth in Major League Baseball. The team is also averaging just under 22 at-bats per home run which is fourth in the league as well and have at least one home run in 11 of the first 15 games.

Another nice aspect of the power is that it isn’t all just one or two players. In total, nine different players on the roster have knocked a ball over the fence with three players tied for first on the team with four each, being Jose Ramirez, Franmil Reyes and Jordan Luplow. We expected the power from Ramirez and Reyes, but Luplow has been a bit of a surprise.

Now, power might seem like a bit of a change from what we’re accustomed to from the Cleveland Indians. In the past it’s been more of a small ball approach, being bunts, sacrifices, etc. but it seems like the Tribe might be changing course.

As a team, Cleveland has been able to hit multiple home runs in six games so far, being 5-1 in those contests. It shouldn’t be a shock that multiple home runs, being at least two runs, have led to wins, especially with this pitching staff. Even so, if the Cleveland Indians can continue to be aggressive at the plate and post successful at-bats in terms of power, that will go a long way in keeping them in contention this season.