Cleveland Indians: Revisiting 10 bold predictions from March

In March, I made 10 bold predictions for the Tribe in 2017. What did I get right? Wrong? And five new predictions for the rest of the season.

Before the season started, everyone makes predictions on what is going to happen in the regular season. I was no different. Instead of waiting until the All-Star break, it makes sense to break down the predictions now, as the Cleveland Indians reach the halfway point of the season. Let’s get right into it.

Prediction #1: Kipnis out until All-Star break.

WRONG. Not necessarily a good wrong though. Jason Kipnis has struggled all season since returning from injury. He has had some highs, but mostly lows. And now, he’s back to being sore. Should the Indians have kept him out longer? We will know sooner than later.

Prediction #2: Michael Brantley will play 150 games.

Maybe! And even better than playing time, Michael Brantley is playing like an All-Star, so much so, that he will likely represent Cleveland in this year’s mid-summer classic.

Related: How my dad inspired my Indians fandom

Brantley has played in 54 of Cleveland’s 66 games, putting him on pace to play in 133 games. While not quite 150, it is a lot better than 11. And if he can keep up his productivity, I’m sure that Terry Francona will be okay with 133 games.

Prediction #3: Tyler Naquin will not regress.

To be determined. Tyler Naquin barely got a chance to regress in 2017. Lonnie Chisenhall took over in center field, and then Naquin became injured. His injury led to Bradley Zimmer‘s call up, and unfortunately for Naquin, Zimmer is doing exactly what the Tribe hoped.

Naquin’s chance to come back is probably over now that Brandon Guyer and Abraham Almonte are almost back to health. Naquin could be where Daniel Robertson is, but his injury cost him a chance at the bigs in 2017.

Prediction #4: At least four players start in right field.

Ha. Four players. What a joke. Try six! Austin Jackson, Lonnie Chisenhall, Brandon Guyer, Carlos Santana, Abraham Almonte, and Daniel Robertson have all started games in right field. There is a possibility that Naquin could play out there as well if he returns and Zimmer is still up.

Prediction #5: Carlos Carrasco supplants Klubot as the #1 starter.

Sigh. It looks like I am right so far. Carlos Carrasco is the only Indians starter with an ERA under 3.75. He has been very reliable, even after missing a few starts. Here is to hoping that the rest of the rotation gets back on track before the All-Star break. Things have definitely looked better lately.

Prediction #6: Bryan Shaw loses his job.

This is maybe true? Shaw is more of a utility man than a solely seventh inning or eighth inning pitcher these days. With Nick Goody stepping up and Andrew Miller‘s role remaining fluid, Bryan Shaw has pitched in a lot of different situations.

He’s come in as early as the fifth inning, and he has pitched in the ninth. I don’t know if we can say he has lost his job, but his role is different than what it has been in the past. On a good note, he’s still as dominant as ever.

Prediction #7: The Indians do not make a deadline trade.

Check back at the end of July!

Prediction #8: Giovanny Urshela will push Jose Ramirez.

Whoops! I had a lot of faith in Giovanny Urshela, then he ended up losing out to Yandy Diaz at the start of the season. The Indians finally called Urshela up for a doubleheader with the Twins Saturday, and he went 0-4. He was sent back down right after the game. Sorry Giovanny.

Prediction #9: Bradley Zimmer will make a big impact…in September.

Wrong again! Glad to be wrong here as well. Bradley Zimmer has been the five-tool center fielder that the Tribe hoped he would be. He’s stealing bases, playing well in center, hitting for average and a bit of power.

He is making a great case to be the every day center fielder for the Tribe. It remains to be seen whether the Tribe will keep him in an everyday role with two outfielders coming off of the DL soon.

Prediction #10: The Tribe wins the ‘ship.

Here’s to hoping.

New Predictions!

I will keep this short and sweet. My five predictions for the rest of the season are as follows:

1. The Indians trade for a starting pitcher at the deadline, then get a surprise when Trevor Bauer and Danny Salazar return to form. The Indians are definitely going to trade for a starter. There is no way Francona sits still with half of his rotation sporting an ERA above 4.1. What remains to be seen is whether the response is positive. I think it will be.
2. Francisco Lindor ends the season with a batting average over .285. Right now, this is a bold prediction as Lindor has cooled off substantially since his hot start. He has the tools, and he will go on a tear in July to get back to a reasonable .285 average.
3. The Tribe gets hot in August. With everyone playing well at different times, the Tribe has had difficult sustaining success. I predict that August is the month they put everything together, getting everyone on the same page and making a push for the two seed in the AL.
4. Mike Clevinger permanently replaces Josh Tomlin, not Danny Salazar, in the Tribe’s rotation. Salazar has been off this year. He clearly has not recovered from his string of injuries last season. The Tribe will keep him well rested and bring him back slowly. This will lead to Salazar replacing Tomlin, not Clevinger, and Tomlin’s time with the Tribe ends in 2017.
5. Lonnie Chisenhall makes his way to the top of the lineup. While this prediction is not particularly bold, Lonnie has consistently been one of Cleveland’s most underrated players. Before the season ends, Lonnie will get his due, and end the season as the number two or number five hitter in the Tribe’s lineup.

Next: Indians draft recap

That’s all I have for now. I’ll check back in after the trade deadline for the last set of predictions!