CLEVELAND, Ohio – Opening Day is Friday for the Cleveland Indians and who would have guessed when Summer Camp opened we’d be scribbling about Bradley Zimmer?
1. I was in Goodyear, Ariz., when spring training shut down in early March because of COVID-19. In the last game the Tribe played, Bradley Zimmer had two hits, including a double to the opposite field. I was talking to a Tribe official about Zimmer, and he said it was the first game in which he really looked good at the plate. Now, we can see he was starting to find his timing when it ended.
2. In Arizona, Zimmer batted .250 with a homer. He struck out 10 times in 28 at bats. Manager Terry Francona was talking about the often-injured outfielder needing more at bats. The plan was to open him at Class AAA Columbus so he could play every day and stay healthy.
3. When summer camp opened, there was little talk about Zimmer. He had looked lost at times in Arizona with all the strikeouts. The 2014 first-round pick had played only 86 games (mostly in the minors) over the previous two seasons. Zimmer was the opening day center fielder in 2018, but began having shoulder problems that led to surgery.
4. Zimmer looks strong, like the prospect the Indians loved a few years ago. He is 11-for-20 (.550) in summer camp with four HR. The outfield is wide open after Oscar Mercado. The Indians hoped Franmil Reyes would play some RF, but it looks like he’ll be mostly a DH. Monday, the Tribe started with Mercado in CF, Zimmer in LF and Tyler Naquin in RF. That could be the starting outfield, at least against right-handed pitchers.
5. What about vs. lefties? Jordan Luplow could play right field. Naquin is having a strong camp and has always wanted to play every day. More than once after interviewing him, he’d say something like “Tell Tito I can play vs. lefties.” But my guess is Domingo Santana will be in left vs. lefty pitchers.
6. I have a soft spot for Naquin. He’s battled through hip, knee and wrist surgeries. In 2016, he played center – not his natural position. He is a career .283 hitter (.788 OPS). Naquin once urged me to look up his stats vs. lefties. For his career, he’s a .270 hitter (.772 OPS) in 115 at bats.
7. I expect Domingo Santana to play in the outfield vs. lefties. The Indians signed him as a free agent and hope he can supply right-handed hitting power. He had 12 errors in 100 games in the outfield last season, which is scary. That’s the most of any American League OF. He hit 21 homers in 453 at bats last season.
8. It was great to see James Karinchak strike out the side Monday. He had a rocky first intrasquad game with four walks. Since then, he’s been good. He’s one of the keys to the bullpen. If Karinchak is strong and Brad Hand finds his All-Star form, the Tribe can have the eighth and ninth innings nailed down.
9. But they are still looking for bullpen help. Adam Cimber has struggled at times. Same with Nick Wittgren, although the Indians have a lot of confidence in him. Phil Maton, acquired from the Padres last year, has a chance to be a big help. They still like veteran lefty Oliver Perez.
10. Francisco Lindor crushed the ball in the Arizona spring training (.417, 4 HR) and he’s been hitting in summer camp. He’s so good and I’m thrilled Francona has dropped him to No. 3 in the order because he can drive in a ton of runs. Cesar Hernandez seems capable of doing a solid job in Lindor’s old leadoff spot.
11. I looked up Yu Chang’s stats in Arizona. He was batting .250 with a homer in 31 at bats. Not much was said about him when camp closed. He has altered his swing, it’s shorter and more powerful. The infielder could be on to something. He has four homers in intrasquad games.
12. I expect Mike Freeman to be the utility infielder, but I wonder if the Indians will find a spot for Chang on the opening 30-man roster. He can play all the infield positions.
13. In case you’re wondering, OF Delino DeShields is an option in center vs. lefties. Mercado would move to right. But DeShields is still on the injured list as he recovers from the coronavirus. He is supposed to be close to coming back. DeShields batted .279 (.791 OPS) vs. lefties, .236 (.609 OPS) vs. righties last season.
14. Until last season, Carlos Santana was a slow starter. And last season, Jose Ramirez got off to a dreadful start. OK, guys, it’s late July. The weather is warm and your bats should be hot. Both have looked good in summer camp.
15. Best news: It seems every starting pitcher is healthy and ready to throw at least five innings. That is the key to a fast start.
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