Jose Ramirez has been the first-place Indians’ secret weapon
By Ryan Lewis
The Indians’ starting rotation has been what has most carried them to first place in the American League Central.
And Mike Napoli has arguably been the most productive hitter in the lineup, as he leads the club in home runs and RBI. Carlos Santana, Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor have all had quality seasons as well.
But it’s been Jose Ramirez who has been the Indians’ stabilizer.
Entering the weekend, Ramirez was hitting .313 with eight home runs, 29 doubles, 50 RBI and 17 stolen bases. He’s given the Indians a 3.2 WAR and has a wRC+ of 134, per FanGraphs.
“He has a nose for hits in big situations,” Indians assistant hitting coach Matt Quatraro said. “That’s something that’s hard to really quantify.”
Lately, Ramirez has been heating up. He entered the weekend hitting .352 with a .933 OPS since the All-Star break and had a career-high 16-game hitting streak intact.
And he’s given the Indians what they needed, where they needed it and when it was needed.
Ramirez began the season primarily in left field, filling in for Michael Brantley. That assignment lasted longer than expected, but Ramirez remained consistent, holding an average around .300 while moving up and down the lineup. Brantley’s absence from the lineup was notable, but Ramirez was able to somewhat fill the void while giving the Indians some versatility.
Then, after the Indians added Brandon Guyer to the outfield mix and Juan Uribe’s play eventually led to his being designated for assignment, Ramirez gave the Indians a boost at third base. Again, Ramirez answered the call and has brought solid production with him. And much of it has been done while hitting fifth in the order, after Napoli, a key spot in the lineup.
“I think it is has gone a little bit under the radar because of Nap, which I understand, but my goodness,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “We talked about it [in] spring training, hoping he can be a weapon. I’d say that was probably an understatement.”
One reason for his success is that Ramirez, a switch-hitter, has sprayed hits to all fields, making him a harder out. Per FanGraphs, he’s pulled the ball 37.1 percent, gone up the middle 31.5 percent and the other way 31.5 percent.
“That’s what he works on every day, hitting the ball to all fields,” Quatraro said. “He knows when he’s at his best he’s not trying to do too much. He’s got good bad speed and good strength, so when he’s pitched away, he doesn’t just serve balls over there — he can hit some doubles and then, when he gets his pitch in, he’s got enough occasional pop to really keep them honest.”
Lately, the Indians have seen more discipline from Ramirez with how he’s handled the strike zone.
“When he struggles he expands his zone a little bit,” Quatraro said. “Recently, he hasn’t done that. He’s stayed within his strengths. When he was struggling, he was reaching for some balls. He was anxious or you get some bad at-bats, you start to press a little. He’s really refined his zone.”
To the club, it hasn’t just been the production. It’s that Ramirez hasn’t relented.
“It’s been impressive how consistent it’s been, and in the middle of the order for the most part,” Quatraro said. “He’ll also go to any spot. I think it’s a testament to him and his consistency and his work.”
In the spring, Francona was adamant that the club wanted to get Ramirez into the lineup more than just as a versatile back-up when a starter needed the rest. The Indians have been rewarded, and Ramirez isn’t surprised.
“I know I can even do more than this,” Ramirez said through a team translator. “Ever since I was a little kid I’ve been working hard to put the best me out there and be the best player I can be. I’m going to keep working towards that.”
Ramirez has been the Indians’ own Swiss Army Knife. He hasn’t just been the nice versatile piece at the end of the 25-man roster. Thus far, as the Indians head into mid-August and a heated divisional race, Ramirez has been right in the middle of it all.
Re: Articles
5432HB - you see this?
Cardale Jones - QB - Bills
Bills rookie QB Cardale Jones completed 11-of-21 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's preseason opener.
He also logged 34 yards on four carries including a 12-yard scramble on fourth-and-10 late in the fourth quarter.
"12 Gauge" completed 3-of-8 passes for 66 yards on the Bills' final drive, including a four-yard touchdown strike to Jarrett Boykin as time expired.
Jones remains a major project but his first taste of preseason action was a success. He'll open the year as Buffalo's No. 3 quarterback behind Tyrod Taylor and E.J. Manuel.
Cardale Jones - QB - Bills
Bills rookie QB Cardale Jones completed 11-of-21 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's preseason opener.
He also logged 34 yards on four carries including a 12-yard scramble on fourth-and-10 late in the fourth quarter.
"12 Gauge" completed 3-of-8 passes for 66 yards on the Bills' final drive, including a four-yard touchdown strike to Jarrett Boykin as time expired.
Jones remains a major project but his first taste of preseason action was a success. He'll open the year as Buffalo's No. 3 quarterback behind Tyrod Taylor and E.J. Manuel.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Articles
5433Remember when he was our 4th or 5th best starter this year?
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/al-cy ... open-race/
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/al-cy ... open-race/
Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
Re: Articles
5434Cardale has all the arm talent in the world, TFIR. I've seen him literally flick his wrist and throw the ball 70 yards. It's uncanny. Probably the best arm entering league since, who, Vick?
But he's extremely raw. Needs coaching up and experience. In a couple years you may have something in Buffalo tho.
But he's extremely raw. Needs coaching up and experience. In a couple years you may have something in Buffalo tho.
Re: Articles
5435Well, the good news for Buffalo is that they just extended Tyrod Taylor and his numbers were really quite good last year. EJ Manuel backs him up.
Taylor understudied Flacco for 4 years, including the Super Bowl one. As well, he is a really good athlete who can and did run well last year when necessary. Throws downfield really well. Good role model.
So there will be no pressure at all to play until he is good and ready. Seems certain the Bills saw the 3rd string role as a nice way to take a shot at a stud athlete.
Taylor understudied Flacco for 4 years, including the Super Bowl one. As well, he is a really good athlete who can and did run well last year when necessary. Throws downfield really well. Good role model.
So there will be no pressure at all to play until he is good and ready. Seems certain the Bills saw the 3rd string role as a nice way to take a shot at a stud athlete.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Articles
5436I consider this a really interesting and well written article. Hard to miss the possibility of rule changes regarding the glut of relievers that slow down the late parts of games.
Rob Manfred: Baseball is changing quicker than ever
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred addresses the state of baseball in his second annual guest column for ESPN. Lorenzo Bevilaqua / ESPN Images
8:54 AM ET
Rob Manfred
Baseball is the greatest game in the world. If you need proof, look no further than the fact that baseball, like no other sport, has an amazing capacity to spark genuine and even heated debate. Baseball fans and media like nothing more than to talk about what is good and bad about the game. The designated hitter rule has been with us since 1973. Forty-three years later, fans regularly and passionately weigh in on whether the rule is good: Should it be expanded or eliminated? I have stacks of fan mail on both sides of the issue, and I can always count on a DH question to energize a news conference.
Buster Olney recently co-hosted Mike & Mike with Mike Greenberg, and they devoted the better part of two shows to a discussion of what should be changed in baseball. When they asked me to participate, I gladly accepted. Those of you who listened to the program know that I was not supportive of some of the suggestions put forward but was receptive to many others, such as rule adjustments regarding relievers and alterations to the All-Star Game. I hope I left the impression that I am open-minded to the possibility of making changes to the national pastime.
I believe there is a clear distinction between giving thoughtful consideration to an idea and deciding to move forward with it. It's good to have a healthy conversation about baseball and the way it is played today. But that conversation should take place against the backdrop of three fundamental points.
First, a major part of baseball's appeal is its history and tradition. While adjustments can be made to protect and improve the game, we must always give due respect to history and tradition. Each July, I go to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend. A visit to the great Hall of Fame Museum and the opportunity to spend time with the greatest living legends of our game serve as an annual reminder of the importance of the history and tradition of the game.
Second, baseball is a healthy sport. Each year more than 73 million people attend major league games, and another 41 million go to minor league parks. Our in-park experience remains the best in professional sports. MLB.com is widely regarded as the best digital offering in sports. And while we are continuing our efforts to increase youth participation, more kids age 12 and under play baseball and softball than any other sport, and of the estimated 58.1 million children in the U.S. between the ages of 5 and 17, 45 million (78 percent) have played baseball/softball in some form at some point in their lives. While baseball can be improved, it certainly does not need to be "fixed."
Third, some traditionalists talk about changing the game as if the alternative is to maintain some static, pure form of play. The fact is that the game has changed and is continuing to change -- in my view, at an accelerating rate. Games have become longer. In 1975, the average game was 2 hours and 30 minutes. Now the average game is three hours. In 1988, 272 pitches were thrown in an average game. Today, the strategy of working counts and taking pitches means that it takes an additional 22 pitches to complete that same game. Back in 1988, the average major league club used 17 pitchers over the course of the season. In 2015, the average club used 27 pitchers. We are seeing less of our star starting pitchers, more delays for pitching changes, and less action at exciting points late in the game.
Today, major league players are hitting home runs at a record pace, but the number of balls put in play is at a historic low. There have been more strikeouts this season than in any other season in baseball history since 1871. Offensive strategies like situational hitting and stealing bases, which often create exciting moments for fans, are less prevalent today than at any point since the Year of the Pitcher in 1968. These changes have occurred not due to new rules but almost exclusively because of decisions made by creative general managers and managers in an effort to win as many games as possible.
Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis are two examples of the modern-day all-or-nothing slugger. G Fiume/Getty Images
So the question is not whether there should be change -- the game is going to change and evolve no matter what. The question is whether to let the change happen or, instead, to manage the change. For me, the answer is easy: Those of us charged with the enormous responsibility of protecting the great game of baseball have an obligation to manage change so that the beauty of our game is preserved in a way that future generations continue to embrace the sport. We will confront difficult choices in discharging this responsibility, and we will make the right choices because our guiding principle will always be the best interests of the fans.
Rob Manfred: Baseball is changing quicker than ever
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred addresses the state of baseball in his second annual guest column for ESPN. Lorenzo Bevilaqua / ESPN Images
8:54 AM ET
Rob Manfred
Baseball is the greatest game in the world. If you need proof, look no further than the fact that baseball, like no other sport, has an amazing capacity to spark genuine and even heated debate. Baseball fans and media like nothing more than to talk about what is good and bad about the game. The designated hitter rule has been with us since 1973. Forty-three years later, fans regularly and passionately weigh in on whether the rule is good: Should it be expanded or eliminated? I have stacks of fan mail on both sides of the issue, and I can always count on a DH question to energize a news conference.
Buster Olney recently co-hosted Mike & Mike with Mike Greenberg, and they devoted the better part of two shows to a discussion of what should be changed in baseball. When they asked me to participate, I gladly accepted. Those of you who listened to the program know that I was not supportive of some of the suggestions put forward but was receptive to many others, such as rule adjustments regarding relievers and alterations to the All-Star Game. I hope I left the impression that I am open-minded to the possibility of making changes to the national pastime.
I believe there is a clear distinction between giving thoughtful consideration to an idea and deciding to move forward with it. It's good to have a healthy conversation about baseball and the way it is played today. But that conversation should take place against the backdrop of three fundamental points.
First, a major part of baseball's appeal is its history and tradition. While adjustments can be made to protect and improve the game, we must always give due respect to history and tradition. Each July, I go to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend. A visit to the great Hall of Fame Museum and the opportunity to spend time with the greatest living legends of our game serve as an annual reminder of the importance of the history and tradition of the game.
Second, baseball is a healthy sport. Each year more than 73 million people attend major league games, and another 41 million go to minor league parks. Our in-park experience remains the best in professional sports. MLB.com is widely regarded as the best digital offering in sports. And while we are continuing our efforts to increase youth participation, more kids age 12 and under play baseball and softball than any other sport, and of the estimated 58.1 million children in the U.S. between the ages of 5 and 17, 45 million (78 percent) have played baseball/softball in some form at some point in their lives. While baseball can be improved, it certainly does not need to be "fixed."
Third, some traditionalists talk about changing the game as if the alternative is to maintain some static, pure form of play. The fact is that the game has changed and is continuing to change -- in my view, at an accelerating rate. Games have become longer. In 1975, the average game was 2 hours and 30 minutes. Now the average game is three hours. In 1988, 272 pitches were thrown in an average game. Today, the strategy of working counts and taking pitches means that it takes an additional 22 pitches to complete that same game. Back in 1988, the average major league club used 17 pitchers over the course of the season. In 2015, the average club used 27 pitchers. We are seeing less of our star starting pitchers, more delays for pitching changes, and less action at exciting points late in the game.
Today, major league players are hitting home runs at a record pace, but the number of balls put in play is at a historic low. There have been more strikeouts this season than in any other season in baseball history since 1871. Offensive strategies like situational hitting and stealing bases, which often create exciting moments for fans, are less prevalent today than at any point since the Year of the Pitcher in 1968. These changes have occurred not due to new rules but almost exclusively because of decisions made by creative general managers and managers in an effort to win as many games as possible.
Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis are two examples of the modern-day all-or-nothing slugger. G Fiume/Getty Images
So the question is not whether there should be change -- the game is going to change and evolve no matter what. The question is whether to let the change happen or, instead, to manage the change. For me, the answer is easy: Those of us charged with the enormous responsibility of protecting the great game of baseball have an obligation to manage change so that the beauty of our game is preserved in a way that future generations continue to embrace the sport. We will confront difficult choices in discharging this responsibility, and we will make the right choices because our guiding principle will always be the best interests of the fans.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Articles
5437Hillbilly wrote:Cardale has all the arm talent in the world, TFIR. I've seen him literally flick his wrist and throw the ball 70 yards. It's uncanny. Probably the best arm entering league since, who, Vick?
But he's extremely raw. Needs coaching up and experience. In a couple years you may have something in Buffalo tho.
I'll take a shot ...... Brian Hoyer ???? Brady Quinn ??????
I think everyone knows it was Derek Anderson !
Re: Articles
5438Terry Francona says it's fair to wonder whether Cleveland Indians should have sent Danny Salazar on rehab assignment
Danny Salazar says he's healthy
Zack Meisel, cleveland.com By Zack Meisel, cleveland.com
on August 19, 2016 at 7:10 PM, updated August 19, 2016 at 8:56 PM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terry Francona and Mickey Callaway gave it some more thought on Thursday.
Should Danny Salazar have made a rehab start prior to his underwhelming return to the rotation? It's a fair question, Francona said Friday, a day after Salazar lasted only one strenuous inning.
It's a question that was presented to both Francona and Salazar during the right-hander's 16-day stint on the disabled list. Both parties insisted that Salazar's right elbow was healthy, that the reprieve was so short-lived that he could step back onto the big-league mound and rediscover his command, his heavy heater and his deceptive change-up.
"It's fair to ask," Francona said. "Maybe we should have. I don't think Danny wanted to and that didn't sway it, but I think we thought with the two weeks down, and his bullpen [session] was really good -- but it's a fair point."
When faced with the question after Thursday's 5-4 comeback victory, Salazar hesitated before he said: "I don't think that makes a difference."
Salazar surrendered three runs on one hit and three walks. Francona said he seemed "rusty." Salazar said he was merely "wild." He could have been both, as he threw only 16 of 34 pitches for strikes.
"You could tell that right from the very beginning, he couldn't really find the plate," Francona said Thursday.
After his one-inning cameo, Salazar ventured to the bullpen and simulated three more frames. Francona said he hoped that the extra work has Salazar better prepared for his next start, scheduled for early next week in Oakland.
"At least he has a certain number of pitches under his belt," Francona said.
Danny Salazar says he's healthy
Zack Meisel, cleveland.com By Zack Meisel, cleveland.com
on August 19, 2016 at 7:10 PM, updated August 19, 2016 at 8:56 PM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terry Francona and Mickey Callaway gave it some more thought on Thursday.
Should Danny Salazar have made a rehab start prior to his underwhelming return to the rotation? It's a fair question, Francona said Friday, a day after Salazar lasted only one strenuous inning.
It's a question that was presented to both Francona and Salazar during the right-hander's 16-day stint on the disabled list. Both parties insisted that Salazar's right elbow was healthy, that the reprieve was so short-lived that he could step back onto the big-league mound and rediscover his command, his heavy heater and his deceptive change-up.
"It's fair to ask," Francona said. "Maybe we should have. I don't think Danny wanted to and that didn't sway it, but I think we thought with the two weeks down, and his bullpen [session] was really good -- but it's a fair point."
When faced with the question after Thursday's 5-4 comeback victory, Salazar hesitated before he said: "I don't think that makes a difference."
Salazar surrendered three runs on one hit and three walks. Francona said he seemed "rusty." Salazar said he was merely "wild." He could have been both, as he threw only 16 of 34 pitches for strikes.
"You could tell that right from the very beginning, he couldn't really find the plate," Francona said Thursday.
After his one-inning cameo, Salazar ventured to the bullpen and simulated three more frames. Francona said he hoped that the extra work has Salazar better prepared for his next start, scheduled for early next week in Oakland.
"At least he has a certain number of pitches under his belt," Francona said.
Re: Articles
5439After last night's performance, I think it's evident that he should have had the rehab starts.
Re: Articles
5440Inside story of how Cleveland Indians discovered Jose Ramirez -- Terry Pluto (photos)
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ss ... and_1.html
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ss ... and_1.html
Re: Articles
5441The one thing Pluto does not write about is Joe's reason for "discovering" Ramirez: his performance in the Dominican Winter leagues. Here's what Jose did there:
2012 at age 19 slash line of 312/389/362
2013 at age 20 slash line of 287321/386 [only 3 walks, only 1/5 in steals: that sure doesn't stand out]
2014 at age 21 slash line of 255/287/353 [Joe: how did this winter performance make you a fan???]
2015 at age 22 slash line of 300/364/400 [only played 13 games in the Dominican that winter]
2012 at age 19 slash line of 312/389/362
2013 at age 20 slash line of 287321/386 [only 3 walks, only 1/5 in steals: that sure doesn't stand out]
2014 at age 21 slash line of 255/287/353 [Joe: how did this winter performance make you a fan???]
2015 at age 22 slash line of 300/364/400 [only played 13 games in the Dominican that winter]
Re: Articles
5442Cleveland Indians' Terry Francona reminds Danny Salazar that season doesn't end at All-Star Game
By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com
Email the author
on August 24, 2016 at 9:26 PM
OAKLAND – Manager Terry Francona doesn't think the All-Star Game went to Danny Salazar's head, but it might have distorted his priorities.
After Salazar allowed six runs on eight hits Tuesday night against Oakland in his second start since coming off the disabled list, pitching coach Mickey Callaway told reporters Salazar had to "shore up" his routines to get ready for the stretch drive and perhaps the postseason.
The indication being that Salazar needed to work harder.
"With all young guys you just have to remind them," said Francona, when asked about Callaway's comments. "I don't think it's anything remotely like a lazy thing. I think you have to remind young guys, 'Hey, some days when you really don't want to do it is the day you've really got to do it.' So when you do show up to pitch, you have a much better chance of being consistent because you don't have the ups and downs of how you feel that day.
"I think Danny is still learning that, like a lot of young pitchers and players. I think sometimes it's unfair to expect guys to just grow into it without growing into it. "
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Salazar was one of three Indians named to the AL All-Star team along with Corey Kluber and Francisco Lindor. He went to the game in San Diego, but did not pitch because the Indians were concerned about his right elbow, the same elbow that put him on the disabled list on Aug. 2.
"The All-Star Game can be a little bit of an (overwhelming experience)," said Francona. "We're thrilled for him, but it's not the end of the season. I think we knew that when he came back that we wanted to sit on a few things.
"There is a reason you got there. Your routines, you don't stop those. The guys that are really good, they do it their whole careers."
Francona pointed to Carlos Carrasco as an example. [we all remember when Carlos was our immature talented but erratic pitcher
"Carlos always wanted to be told he's a starter," said Francona. "Then when he went and earned it by doing all those things, it was much more meaningful. "Now when he runs into a problem, there's a way to fix it. It's not just pull your socks up or hope. It's, 'I'll go have a good side day, a good work session and the rest will take care of itself.'"
This is not the first time the Indians have delivered this message to Salazar. He opened last season at Class AAA Columbus for some of the same reasons.
"Young guys just need a reminder," said Francona. "We can certainly do that."
By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com
Email the author
on August 24, 2016 at 9:26 PM
OAKLAND – Manager Terry Francona doesn't think the All-Star Game went to Danny Salazar's head, but it might have distorted his priorities.
After Salazar allowed six runs on eight hits Tuesday night against Oakland in his second start since coming off the disabled list, pitching coach Mickey Callaway told reporters Salazar had to "shore up" his routines to get ready for the stretch drive and perhaps the postseason.
The indication being that Salazar needed to work harder.
"With all young guys you just have to remind them," said Francona, when asked about Callaway's comments. "I don't think it's anything remotely like a lazy thing. I think you have to remind young guys, 'Hey, some days when you really don't want to do it is the day you've really got to do it.' So when you do show up to pitch, you have a much better chance of being consistent because you don't have the ups and downs of how you feel that day.
"I think Danny is still learning that, like a lot of young pitchers and players. I think sometimes it's unfair to expect guys to just grow into it without growing into it. "
ADVERTISING
inRead invented by Teads
Salazar was one of three Indians named to the AL All-Star team along with Corey Kluber and Francisco Lindor. He went to the game in San Diego, but did not pitch because the Indians were concerned about his right elbow, the same elbow that put him on the disabled list on Aug. 2.
"The All-Star Game can be a little bit of an (overwhelming experience)," said Francona. "We're thrilled for him, but it's not the end of the season. I think we knew that when he came back that we wanted to sit on a few things.
"There is a reason you got there. Your routines, you don't stop those. The guys that are really good, they do it their whole careers."
Francona pointed to Carlos Carrasco as an example. [we all remember when Carlos was our immature talented but erratic pitcher
"Carlos always wanted to be told he's a starter," said Francona. "Then when he went and earned it by doing all those things, it was much more meaningful. "Now when he runs into a problem, there's a way to fix it. It's not just pull your socks up or hope. It's, 'I'll go have a good side day, a good work session and the rest will take care of itself.'"
This is not the first time the Indians have delivered this message to Salazar. He opened last season at Class AAA Columbus for some of the same reasons.
"Young guys just need a reminder," said Francona. "We can certainly do that."
Re: Articles
5443
Spark plug has outperformed Brantley's full-season WAR projection
By August Fagerstrom / Special to MLB.com | August 24th, 2016 + 3 COMMENTS
Everyone expected the Indians to pitch well this year, but it was fair to worry if they'd have the offense to back it up. This was a unit that was below average by Weighted Runs Created Plus in 2015, then added to its lineup only Rajai Davis, Mike Napoli, and Juan Uribe -- a trio of 34- to 36-year-olds who were coming off just average offensive seasons themselves -- in what was then seen as an underwhelming offseason.
And then it got worse: Michael Brantley's shoulder issues wound up being more serious than expected, and Cleveland's best hitter over the previous two seasons managed just 43 plate appearances before succumbing to another shoulder surgery that ended his season once and for all. Without Brantley, could an outfield of Davis, Abraham Almonte and Lonnie Chisenhall lead a playoff team?
Well, no, but they haven't had to. That same outfield unit currently ranks third in Wins Above Replacement and sixth in wRC+. A lot of that has to do with Tyler Naquin tapping into unforeseen power and hitting like Anthony Rizzo, but even more important to the Indians' success this season has been the fact that despite Brantley's lost year, they haven't actually been without him at all. Turns out the key to not missing your All-Star left fielder is to simply clone him using a 5-foot-9 utility infielder -- Jose Ramirez .
Ramirez has provided the Indians with a near-exact replica of Brantley's 2016 preseason projected numbers, and due to Ramirez's superior baserunning and defensive abilities, he's already outperformed Brantley's full-season WAR projection in just 466 plate appearances. Ramirez even took the impersonation a step further by filling in as the team's primary left fielder for much of the season -- despite having played just 14 Major League innings in the outfield prior to this year -- before returning to a more familiar post at third base upon Uribe's dismissal from the team.
Brantley never struck out; Ramirez has never struck out. Brantley ran a league-best 92 percent contact rate; Ramirez this year is 11th, at 88 percent. Brantley walked enough to turn his elite batting average into an elite on-base percentage; Ramirez has done the same. Brantley suddenly began hitting for more power than folks had expected; Ramirez has 10 dingers.
And then there's the matter of timing, which is perhaps the most important part of understanding the Ramirez story in 2016. Throughout his entire career, Brantley hit considerably better with men on base or in scoring position than with the bases empty, and for that, he earned a reputation in Cleveland as being a clutch hitter. It's 2016; I probably don't need to link to any number of the studies that have been done showing clutch not to be a repeatable skill. Almost always, an outlier clutch season is a fluke. Maybe Brantley is an exception to the rule. I don't know. What I do know is, regardless of what it means moving forward, Ramirez has had undeniably excellent timing for the Indians this year, adding immense value to the team and making the Brantley connection even stronger.
Ramirez's numbers with men on base and in scoring position, relative to with the bases empty, mirror Brantley's. In high-leverage situations, Ramirez has a 169 wRC+ -- in other words, he's hit like David Ortiz in key spots. Ramirez, for the entirety of the year, has been a good hitter. In his most important plate appearances, he's been a great hitter. The combination of those two facts is how you can sort an American League Win Probability Added leaderboard and wind up with the following top five:
1. Mike Trout, +5.03 WPA
2. Josh Donaldson, +4.16
3. Ortiz, +3.57
4. Ramirez, +3.02
5. Jose Altuve, +2.91
WPA measures only what happened inside the batter's box -- so Ramirez is receiving no credit for his league-leading baserunning value or his defensive contributions -- and with context included, Ramirez grades out right in between baseball's two best hitters this season. If you'd like to give Ramirez full credit for the timing of his hits, there's a case to be made he's the team MVP.
Of course, by now we know better than to give hitters full credit for the timing of their hits. Ramirez has been fortunate to simply come to the plate in as many big spots as he has, and even then, he's been somewhat fortunate for the hits that have fallen in: his Batting Average on Balls in Play with men on base is .389, compared to a more typical .286 mark with the bases empty. The clutch performance isn't likely to repeat itself. The thing in which the Indians are more interested is whether the rest of it can repeat.
The projections currently see Ramirez as a roughly league-average hitter, which, paired with elite baserunning value and the ability to play at least adequately almost anywhere on the field, has real value. The question is whether we can safely take the over on the projection. Ramirez's improved numbers at the plate this season come mostly from what appears to be improved quality of contact: the soft-hit rate is down, the BABIP and slugging on contact are up, the exit velocity is up. He's boosted his rate of balls hit in the air by eight percentage points -- the sixth-largest increase of any hitter with at least 300 plate appearances in each of the past two seasons.
Watch a swing from this year compared to last year, and you see a more exaggerated leg kick that makes for a more athletic and in-sync swing. Last year, the front foot too often got down before the hands came through the zone, killing the momentum in his swing. This year, the front foot's more frequently in sync with the rest of the body, helping generate more authority.
That said, even the improved exit velocity ranks in the bottom-third of qualified hitters. Ramirez still isn't a slugger, he's just a better hitter than he was before. The Ramirez story is likely more about what's already happened than what ought to happen in the future, but the nice thing about what's already happened is there's no erasing it. All the clutch hits have happened, and they've been monumental for a first-place club now being given a 94 percent chance to win their division despite the season-long absence of their best hitter. No taking that away. Even if the Indians shouldn't expect Ramirez to continue impersonating Brantley moving forward, they're sure glad that he's done it so far.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller
-- Bob Feller
Re: Articles
5444Cleveland Indians have Terry Talkin' Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin, Lonnie Chisenhall -- Terry Pluto
on August 27, 2016 at 8:35 AM, updated August 27, 2016 at 11:37 AM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If you're a Cleveland Indians fan, you had to know this was coming.
This has been a remarkably smooth season, at least in terms of keeping the Indians' lead in the American League Central Division. For much of the year, they have been ahead by at least five games even without Michael Brantley (shoulder surgery) and Yan Gomes (shoulder injury) for most of the season.
Reality has hit. The Tribe's starting pitchers had a 6.14 ERA in August, a collapse no one saw coming. Still heading into the weekend, the Indians were 12-12 in August. The hitters have carried the load, batting .276 with 30 homers in 24 games. The Indians know the bats won't keep booming.
They were silenced, scoring three runs in the first four games on the trip to Oakland and Texas, before busting loose with 12 runs in Friday's victory at Texas.
The Indians knew their hitting could be streaky. Perhaps the biggest surprise this season is being second in the American League in runs scored.
The Indians know they have to fix their rotation. They're confident in Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer. With Josh Tomlin, there's always a concern that he'll wear down after about 20 starts. He's listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, but certainly looks small for a starting pitcher.
For his career, Tomlin is clearly a first-half pitcher:
Before All-Star Break: 29-17, 4.16 ERA.
After All-Star Break: 18-21, 4.62 ERA
Career In August: 6-12, 6.21 ERA.
Tomlin's post-All Star game stats were helped when he came back from shoulder surgery and made his first start on Aug. 1, 2015. He was 7-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 starts. Those months of August and September were like the start of most years for him.
Manager Terry Francona absolutely loves Tomlin. So do the players. The 31-year-old righty, called "The Little Cowboy," opened the season with a 9-1 record and a 3.21 ERA. But in his last nine starts, Tomlin is 2-7 and 7.51. At some point, I expect the Indians to replace Tomlin in the rotation with rookie Mike Clevinger, who has a 3.44 ERA in 10 games since the All-Star break. Tomlin's control and determination can make him effective in relief.
In the minors, Tomlin has both started and relieved. So the role would not be new to him.
ABOUT DANNY SALAZAR
While there is an obvious rotation move with Tomlin, that's not the case with Salazar. Cody Anderson has a 3.90 ERA at Class AAA Columbus, but he had arm trouble early in the season and has been working in relief. T.J. House (5-3, 4.16 ERA) also has been in the bullpen.
Both could join the team in September when the rosters expand.
Other possible starters are Ryan Merritt (10-7, 3.52 ERA) and Adam Plutko (6-4, 3.76 ERA). But the Indians wonder if having them start in the heat of a playoff race is a wise idea.
When they have these discussions, they circle back to Salazar. After some minor elbow problems this summer, he seems healthy. In his last start, he was clocked in the 94-97 mph range. But his fastball was high. His change-up often bounced five feet in front of home plate. His breaking ball was a mess.
Pitching coach Mickey Callaway and others have been staring at video from when Salazar was 10-3 with a 2.36 ERA and comparing it to his last six starts (1-2, 10.41). There are no major mechanical flaws, but there are some minor things.
Something obviously is wrong. His confidence is suddenly shaken. He has never been hit this hard in the big leagues, even in the times when he was sent back to the minors in 2014.
Francona is challenging Salazar to take a more serious approach between starts. He is in shape and does his throwing, but he's not as obsessive about details as the rest of the rotation.
The big breakthrough for Carlos Carrasco was when he began to follow Corey Kluber's routine -- and become very close to Kluber. The Indians have asked Salazar to do the same, several times. There has been mixed success. Bauer and Tomlin have their own routines, and they are dedicated in preparing for each start.
The game has come relatively easy for Salazar. Now, it's a major challenge. How he responds could be a key to winning the Central Division.
ABOUT LONNIE CHISENHALL
It's been a full season since the Tribe brought Chisenhall back from the minors and installed him in right field.
On July 30, 2015, the Indians decided to try and get something out of their first-round pick from 2008. He had problems at third base, which seemed to affect his hitting.
So they moved him to right field, almost out of desperation. They were looking for outfielders. Chisenhall, 26, needed a change. Why not try something different? He had spent parts of five seasons in the majors, but never could completely call Cleveland his baseball home.
Kansas City took this same approach to former top pick Alex Gordon. In 2010, he was batting .210 and playing third. They sent him to the minors to learn the outfield. He returned in 2011 and has made three All-Star teams and won four Gold Gloves in left field.
Like Chisenhall, Gordon was 26 when the Royals made the switch.
Part of the secret of Chisenhall's recent success is the lefty hitter rarely plays against left-handed pitchers. But as a platoon player, Chisenhall has been productive.
As a third baseman, Chisenhall batted .242 (.685 OPS) with 36 HR in 1,159 plate appearances.
As a right fielder, Chisenhall is at .303 (.823 OPS) with 11 HR and 69 RBI in 478 plate appearances.
At third base, Chisenhall ranked well below average. In right field, he ranks No. 6 defensively in the American League, according to fangraphs.
Since returning from the minors, Chisenhall has had only 98 at bats vs. lefties -- batting .245. He's at .320 vs. righties.
Part of being a smart organization is finding a role for a player, especially a high draft choice. Lots of money and time are invested in first-round picks. Ideally, you want a regular.
But we've also seen so many first-round swings and misses by the Tribe, especially with position players between 2000-07. Here are the first-round non-pitchers:
2000: Corey Smith
2003: Michael Aubrey, Brad Snyder
2005: Trevor Crowe
2007: Beau Mills
None of them made any real impact with the Tribe or in the majors.
At the very least, the Indians have a productive platoon with newly acquired Brandon Guyer and Chisenhall. Guyer is a .349 hitter vs. lefties this season (.213 vs. righties). For his career, it's .287 vs. lefties.
Chisenhall will be a free agent after the 2017 season. Depending upon the price, it could be worth signing him to an extension in the off-season.
on August 27, 2016 at 8:35 AM, updated August 27, 2016 at 11:37 AM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If you're a Cleveland Indians fan, you had to know this was coming.
This has been a remarkably smooth season, at least in terms of keeping the Indians' lead in the American League Central Division. For much of the year, they have been ahead by at least five games even without Michael Brantley (shoulder surgery) and Yan Gomes (shoulder injury) for most of the season.
Reality has hit. The Tribe's starting pitchers had a 6.14 ERA in August, a collapse no one saw coming. Still heading into the weekend, the Indians were 12-12 in August. The hitters have carried the load, batting .276 with 30 homers in 24 games. The Indians know the bats won't keep booming.
They were silenced, scoring three runs in the first four games on the trip to Oakland and Texas, before busting loose with 12 runs in Friday's victory at Texas.
The Indians knew their hitting could be streaky. Perhaps the biggest surprise this season is being second in the American League in runs scored.
The Indians know they have to fix their rotation. They're confident in Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer. With Josh Tomlin, there's always a concern that he'll wear down after about 20 starts. He's listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, but certainly looks small for a starting pitcher.
For his career, Tomlin is clearly a first-half pitcher:
Before All-Star Break: 29-17, 4.16 ERA.
After All-Star Break: 18-21, 4.62 ERA
Career In August: 6-12, 6.21 ERA.
Tomlin's post-All Star game stats were helped when he came back from shoulder surgery and made his first start on Aug. 1, 2015. He was 7-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 starts. Those months of August and September were like the start of most years for him.
Manager Terry Francona absolutely loves Tomlin. So do the players. The 31-year-old righty, called "The Little Cowboy," opened the season with a 9-1 record and a 3.21 ERA. But in his last nine starts, Tomlin is 2-7 and 7.51. At some point, I expect the Indians to replace Tomlin in the rotation with rookie Mike Clevinger, who has a 3.44 ERA in 10 games since the All-Star break. Tomlin's control and determination can make him effective in relief.
In the minors, Tomlin has both started and relieved. So the role would not be new to him.
ABOUT DANNY SALAZAR
While there is an obvious rotation move with Tomlin, that's not the case with Salazar. Cody Anderson has a 3.90 ERA at Class AAA Columbus, but he had arm trouble early in the season and has been working in relief. T.J. House (5-3, 4.16 ERA) also has been in the bullpen.
Both could join the team in September when the rosters expand.
Other possible starters are Ryan Merritt (10-7, 3.52 ERA) and Adam Plutko (6-4, 3.76 ERA). But the Indians wonder if having them start in the heat of a playoff race is a wise idea.
When they have these discussions, they circle back to Salazar. After some minor elbow problems this summer, he seems healthy. In his last start, he was clocked in the 94-97 mph range. But his fastball was high. His change-up often bounced five feet in front of home plate. His breaking ball was a mess.
Pitching coach Mickey Callaway and others have been staring at video from when Salazar was 10-3 with a 2.36 ERA and comparing it to his last six starts (1-2, 10.41). There are no major mechanical flaws, but there are some minor things.
Something obviously is wrong. His confidence is suddenly shaken. He has never been hit this hard in the big leagues, even in the times when he was sent back to the minors in 2014.
Francona is challenging Salazar to take a more serious approach between starts. He is in shape and does his throwing, but he's not as obsessive about details as the rest of the rotation.
The big breakthrough for Carlos Carrasco was when he began to follow Corey Kluber's routine -- and become very close to Kluber. The Indians have asked Salazar to do the same, several times. There has been mixed success. Bauer and Tomlin have their own routines, and they are dedicated in preparing for each start.
The game has come relatively easy for Salazar. Now, it's a major challenge. How he responds could be a key to winning the Central Division.
ABOUT LONNIE CHISENHALL
It's been a full season since the Tribe brought Chisenhall back from the minors and installed him in right field.
On July 30, 2015, the Indians decided to try and get something out of their first-round pick from 2008. He had problems at third base, which seemed to affect his hitting.
So they moved him to right field, almost out of desperation. They were looking for outfielders. Chisenhall, 26, needed a change. Why not try something different? He had spent parts of five seasons in the majors, but never could completely call Cleveland his baseball home.
Kansas City took this same approach to former top pick Alex Gordon. In 2010, he was batting .210 and playing third. They sent him to the minors to learn the outfield. He returned in 2011 and has made three All-Star teams and won four Gold Gloves in left field.
Like Chisenhall, Gordon was 26 when the Royals made the switch.
Part of the secret of Chisenhall's recent success is the lefty hitter rarely plays against left-handed pitchers. But as a platoon player, Chisenhall has been productive.
As a third baseman, Chisenhall batted .242 (.685 OPS) with 36 HR in 1,159 plate appearances.
As a right fielder, Chisenhall is at .303 (.823 OPS) with 11 HR and 69 RBI in 478 plate appearances.
At third base, Chisenhall ranked well below average. In right field, he ranks No. 6 defensively in the American League, according to fangraphs.
Since returning from the minors, Chisenhall has had only 98 at bats vs. lefties -- batting .245. He's at .320 vs. righties.
Part of being a smart organization is finding a role for a player, especially a high draft choice. Lots of money and time are invested in first-round picks. Ideally, you want a regular.
But we've also seen so many first-round swings and misses by the Tribe, especially with position players between 2000-07. Here are the first-round non-pitchers:
2000: Corey Smith
2003: Michael Aubrey, Brad Snyder
2005: Trevor Crowe
2007: Beau Mills
None of them made any real impact with the Tribe or in the majors.
At the very least, the Indians have a productive platoon with newly acquired Brandon Guyer and Chisenhall. Guyer is a .349 hitter vs. lefties this season (.213 vs. righties). For his career, it's .287 vs. lefties.
Chisenhall will be a free agent after the 2017 season. Depending upon the price, it could be worth signing him to an extension in the off-season.
Re: Articles
5445Not that he's necessarily a better option for September rotation, but Terry did omit equally qualified Shawn Morimando:Other possible starters are Ryan Merritt (10-7, 3.52 ERA) and Adam Plutko (6-4, 3.76 ERA).
5-1 2.76 in Columbus [although 53 hits in 49 innings], after going 10-3 3.09 in Akron. He's the organizational leader in wins and in passports stolen from his apartment.