Cleveland Indians top 4 needs in the 2021 MLB Draft

Cleveland Indians 2021 MLB Draft Need #2: Left-handed pitching

Over the last five seasons or so a left-handed starting pitcher on the Cleveland Indians was unheard of. This year, the club has attempted to add one to the rotation, first with Logan Allen and now with Sam Hentges. However, both of them are now off the Top 30 prospects list leaving just three left-handed pitchers on the list and none ranked higher than No. 22.

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Now, Cleveland has plenty of pitchers. Four of the club’s last five first round picks have been pitchers, but they’ve all been right-handed. That now reflects on the Top 30 list with seven of the 10 pitchers being right-handed. Perhaps the front office doesn’t care as much about right-handed versus left-handed pitchers, but there still seems to be a need for more balance.

Luckily, there’s a decent selection of left-handed pitchers in this draft class. The Top 200 list has five lefties in the Top 40, four of which are exiting high school at just 18-years old.

Given what the Tribe have in the minor leagues, a left-handed pitcher need is really just based off the organization’s philosophy. If pitchers are pitchers, then there are plenty within the club. However, if they value right-handed versus left-handed, then this need moves up the list.