Clevelinks: Time to Recall Chisenhall; Zimmer to Futures Game

Bradley Zimmer named to MLB Futures Game; Cleveland Indians take on Baltimore Orioles; and is it time to recall Lonnie Chisenhall?

Lonnie Chisenhall has been a bit of a polarizing figure in Cleveland. Since his initial call-up in 2011, he has yet to show any consistency. After posting a wRC+ of 85 in 2013, it looked like time to give up on the former top-prospect. In 2014, however, he got off to a hot start before collapsing in the final two-thirds of the season.

This season saw the former first-round pick get off to a slow start and never pick up the pace again. Through 52 games, he slashed a paltry .209/.241/345; although, his 3.3 base running runs above average and eight defensive runs saved suggested that he made progress on the other parts of his game.

Nevertheless, a wRC+ of 60 is unacceptable from a typically offensively heavy position on a team with playoff aspirations, and the Cleveland Indians demoted Chisenhall and promoted Giovanny Urshela. Urshela, whom the Indians signed as an international free agent in 2008, has yet to be much of an upgrade. While his offense has most certainly been better, he has not wowed anyone with his glove or base running. Both Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs Saved dislike Urshela’s work, and the same can go for traditional metrics.

With all this in mind, Matt Bretz argues that the Cleveland Indians need to recall Lonnie Chisenhall. He argues that since Chisenhall will be out of options if the Cleveland Indians leave him in Triple-A for much longer, Chisenhall will be more valuable to the team as a bench player.

In other Indians news, the team travelled to Baltimore yesterday to open a series against the Baltimore Orioles. As noted by Brian Heise in the series preview, the Cleveland Indians have played much better on the road than at home. Last night, Corey Kluber took on Wei-Tin Chen in a homerun-filled battle.

Finally, Bradley Zimmer was named to the MLB futures game. Zimmer, the 21^st overall pick in last year’s draft, has absolutely raked in High-A Lynchburg. What makes this honor so impressive for the 22-year-old is that he has yet to reach Double-A. Zimmer is the Tribe’s sole representative.

More from around the AL Central:

Cleveland Indians Need to Recall Lonnie Chisenhall – Wahoo’s on First

Series Preview: Cleveland Indians @ Baltimore Orioles – Wahoo’s on First

Cleveland Indians Travel to Baltimore to Face the Orioles – Wahoo’s on First

‘Davis leads O’s to win over Indians’ – Birds Watcher

Indians News: Bradley Zimmer Named to MLB Futures Game Roster – Wahoo’s on First

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