2020 Lineup Discussion

[Lee]

Happy to see another poster from IBI.
Welcome to a Reno-free zone..

It will be interesting to see post all star break if they new poster think this Reno guy is worse than _AZ, lol.

 

[MadThinker88]

It will be interesting to see post all star break if they new poster think this Reno guy is worse than _AZ, lol.

AZ is being allowed back at some point. That automatically makes him better then the R troll (has a perma-ban)..

Back to the lineup discussion - murphy's law we get to see/ hear the other game on STO this afternoon & not the one with lineup of CSantana- Lindor- JRam

 

[DownTownTribeFan]

Disagree. He's only 26. No need to lock him into a platoon role without giving him a chance first.

Especially when the alternative is Greg Allen.

And that top 5 isn't written in pen or anything, but it certainly seems like that will be what we see most games.

What Luplow did in the minors was over 2 1/2 years ago. In the majors he's proven to be a complete flop verse RHP. The alternative doesn't have to be Allen either. But sure, how long does the experiment last ? 1 month after he's hitting .200 v RHP ? 2 months after the Indians are 10 games behind the Twins ?

 

[sportscoach]

It will be interesting to see post all star break if they new poster think this Reno guy is worse than _AZ, lol.

AZ_ is just an ass but he does know his stuff and often times is right about sports, just he is bad with interactions with others at times in a sense

Honestly for the lineup, I am sure Francona will have a reason for his final decision. With Mercado being out, its going to be hard to predict what direction they will take it. Always is it going to be good or bad having all switch hitters in a row? I have heard from interviews of pitchers over the years that they dont mind always facing one side since they can get into a rhythm in a sense, but from the numbers those 4 guys should be 1-4 in some capacity.

 

[sportscoach]

What Luplow did in the minors was over 2 1/2 years ago. In the majors he's proven to be a complete flop verse RHP. The alternative doesn't have to be Allen either. But sure, how long does the experiment last ? 1 month after he's hitting .200 v RHP ? 2 months after the Indians are 10 games behind the Twins ?

Honestly from watching him last season, I dont think he will ever be a light the world on fire against RH pitchers, but he had a very good approach against RH pitchers in the later part of the season. He pressed early, went back the minors and came back up just having a better and calmer approach and it paid off. The numbers and eye test say he should be decent against RH pitchers. Now he won't ever start against the top guys normally, but against the rest, I would be perfectly okay if he was out there.

 

[DownTownTribeFan]

Honestly from watching him last season, I dont think he will ever be a light the world on fire against RH pitchers, but he had a very good approach against RH pitchers in the later part of the season. He pressed early, went back the minors and came back up just having a better and calmer approach and it paid off. The numbers and eye test say he should be decent against RH pitchers. Now he won't ever start against the top guys normally, but against the rest, I would be perfectly okay if he was out there.

Luplow literally only scene 17 PA's total prior to being sent down. The majority of his slash verse RHP

.216

.274

.299

.573

Was after being recalled from the minors.

 

[Real Deal]

So ready for the best team in town to take center stage again. Also stoked for Bradley possibly involved in the lineup.

Lindor leading off will be the only letdown.

 

[Derek]

What Luplow did in the minors was over 2 1/2 years ago. In the majors he's proven to be a complete flop verse RHP. The alternative doesn't have to be Allen either. But sure, how long does the experiment last ? 1 month after he's hitting .200 v RHP ? 2 months after the Indians are 10 games behind the Twins ?

I didn’t say anything about his minor league production.

It honestly depends on a ton of factors on how long I’d give him. What is his contact rate? Is he showing any pop? Is he drawing any walks? So, I can’t really say how long I’d give him.

Finally, if we’re 10 GB, Luplow playing against righties is likely the least of our worries. No need to get hyperbolic on me during an honest conversation.

EDIT: if Allen isn’t the alternative, who is?

 

[Urban]

What Luplow did in the minors was over 2 1/2 years ago. In the majors he's proven to be a complete flop verse RHP. The alternative doesn't have to be Allen either. But sure, how long does the experiment last ? 1 month after he's hitting .200 v RHP ? 2 months after the Indians are 10 games behind the Twins ?

And Luplow looked absolutely miserable vs. LHP while with the Pirates. Then he was a Top 3 hitter in all of baseball vs. LHP. Why would you not want to give that guy a chance to see if he can hold down a position by himself? The guy had a .265+ avg and .800+ OPS vs. RHP at every level of the minors except for A ball back in 2014. And again, his slashline vs. RHP in the final 4 months of the season, while not sexy, was serviceable.

 

[DownTownTribeFan]

I like Luplow, I hope he does well enough to become full time. Be nice to have a full time OFer. I'm not sold on Mercado.

 

[Iusetobeover]

vs RHP
Lindor
Mercado
Ramirez
Santana, C
Reyes
Hernandez
Santana
Bauers
Perez

vs LHP
Lindor
Mercado
Ramirez
Santana, C
Reyes
Luplow
Hernandez
Santana, D
Perez

 

[Urban]

Opening Day Prediction

1. C- R Perez
2. C- Leon
3. 3B- J Ramirez
4. SS- Lindor
5. 2B- C Hernandez
6. 1B- C Santana
7. DH- D Santana
8. UTIL- Freeman
9. OF- Luplow
10. OF- Mercado
11. OF- DeShields
12. OF- Reyes
13. OF- Allen
14. SP- Bieber
15. SP- Carrasco
16. SP- Civale
17. SP- Plutko
18. SP- Plesac
19. RP- Hand
20. RP- Karinchak
21. RP- O Perez
22. RP- Wittgren
23. RP- Cimber
24. RP- Wood
25. RP- Maton
26. RP- Hoyt

To an extent, I wonder if the last positional player roster spot is between Greg Allen, Bobby Bradley, and Jake Bauers. I personally think the likelihood of them making the roster goes in that order

-With Naquin out and Bauers looking a bit lost, I think Luplow will be given the opportunity to hold down LF by himself. I think he's earned that opportunity

-Bobby Bradley has looked really good so far, but it's going to be hard to get regular playing time so long as both Santanas are on the roster. Does it make more sense for him to get everyday ABs with Columbus to work on his swing and miss issues?

-How comfortable is the staff with Mike Freeman at 1B? Santana has been rock solid at staying healthy, but turns 34 a week into the season. Might be wise to have a 1B on roster who can play the position more frequently to give Santana rest

-If your normal starting OF is Luplow-Mercado-Reyes with DeShields on the bench, is Greg Allen redundant?

 

[Derek]

Opening Day Prediction

1. C- R Perez
2. C- Leon
3. 3B- J Ramirez
4. SS- Lindor
5. 2B- C Hernandez
6. 1B- C Santana
7. DH- D Santana
8. UTIL- Freeman
9. OF- Luplow
10. OF- Mercado
11. OF- DeShields
12. OF- Reyes
13. OF- Allen
14. SP- Bieber
15. SP- Carrasco
16. SP- Civale
17. SP- Plutko
18. SP- Plesac
19. RP- Hand
20. RP- Karinchak
21. RP- O Perez
22. RP- Wittgren
23. RP- Cimber
24. RP- Wood
25. RP- Maton
26. RP- Hoyt

To an extent, I wonder if the last positional player roster spot is between Greg Allen, Bobby Bradley, and Jake Bauers. I personally think the likelihood of them making the roster goes in that order

-With Naquin out and Bauers looking a bit lost, I think Luplow will be given the opportunity to hold down LF by himself. I think he's earned that opportunity

-Bobby Bradley has looked really good so far, but it's going to be hard to get regular playing time so long as both Santanas are on the roster. Does it make more sense for him to get everyday ABs with Columbus to work on his swing and miss issues?

-How comfortable is the staff with Mike Freeman at 1B? Santana has been rock solid at staying healthy, but turns 34 a week into the season. Might be wise to have a 1B on roster who can play the position more frequently to give Santana rest

-If your normal starting OF is Luplow-Mercado-Reyes with DeShields on the bench, is Greg Allen redundant?

I think you're close to spot on.

Personally, I would flip Allen for Bradley.

Bradley can play DH vs RHP while Domingo handles DH vs LHP. It also adds a backup 1B to the roster.

 

[Iusetobeover]

I think you're close to spot on.

Personally, I would flip Allen for Bradley.

Bradley can play DH vs RHP while Domingo handles DH vs LHP. It also adds a backup 1B to the roster.

Yea. I'd love to see a Domingo/Bradley DH platoon to start. Give Luplow until Naquin comes back to play fulltime and then see where you are.
The rest of the lineup seems pretty cut and dry.

 

[PPark]

I believe they’re about to learn the lesson the Astros, Brewers, Padres have in recent years collecting players with “power” home runs with severe contact issues believing it will increase run production. It doesn’t. That profile suppresses run production.

As in past seasons the roster has evolved as season has progressed and I expect the same. Essentially they replaced older NRI problems with younger problems.

Reyes looks better more ‘18 than ‘19 where his zone expanded, he swung more, and his contact rate cratered.
He’s got to keep his zone tight to keep his contact rate passable.

Domingo Santana shouldn’t last long on a first division club and I expect the Indians to be a first division club.

Normally initial Indian rosters are awkwardly constructed and expect this one won’t be any different. Expect to see Bauers and Domingo on the opening day roster. It’s not something to fret about it will change as the season progresses.