Cleveland Indians 2015 Rule 5 Draft and Roster Decisions

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Predicting the Tribe’s Roster Moves Before the 2015 Rule 5 Draft

As typical for this time of the year, some key roster decisions need to be made in anticipation of the MLB Rule 5 Draft. This year the Cleveland Indians have an intriguing list of eligible players that may need to be rostered or risk losing them. Very rarely have the Indians lost a player that wasn’t returned, though it has happened a few times with current Chicago Cubs closer Hector Rondon being one of the biggest losses.

The Cleveland Indians 40-man roster is currently at 36 players though that number could go down before final decisions are made. Last year we saw the Indians add five players, most notably Giovanny Urshela and Cody Anderson, who both played a big part with the big league club in 2015. So without further ado, here’s a look at some of the players that could be rostered by the Cleveland Indians.

The Near Certainties

Tyler Naquin – OF (34 games, 1 HR, 10 RBI, .348/.419/.468, 158 wRC+ at AA; 50 games, 6 HR, 17 RBI, .263/.353/.430, 127 wRC+ at AAA)

Naquin is a former first round pick by the Cleveland Indians out of Texas A&M. Drafted 15^th overall back in 2012, Naquin was seen as a polished college hitter with a plus arm and solid defense in the outfield. Since being drafted all Naquin has done is hit as he has a career batting average of .287 in his four minor league seasons and a very healthy .360 OBP. He hasn’t displayed a ton of power but did hit seven home runs in just 84 combined games this year.

More from Away Back Gone

Naquin’s biggest problem has been health. In 2014, he looked primed for a call up to Triple-A Columbus before when his season was cut short after breaking his right hand after being hit by a pitch. The injury required surgery and instead of opening 2015 in Columbus, he opened with Double-A Akron. However, he made quick work of the Eastern League and was up in Columbus before Memorial Day. But as luck would have it, more injuries happened including a bad concussion when he collided with the outfield wall in July.

Before the injury it looked like Naquin would have a shot at a September call up to the big league club. His bat and outfield defense, which has been a pleasant surprise in centerfield, could have been a boost to the Cleveland Indians down the stretch. Nevertheless, he’s at least shown enough to warrant a roster spot. He should open 2016 in Columbus but with the injury to Michael Brantley could see himself in Cleveland in short order.

Prediction: Rostered

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Michael Clevinger – RHSP (9-8, 27 games, 26 starts, 158.0 IP, 2.73 ERA, 3.02 FIP at AA)

Clevinger was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in 2014 for former fan favorite reliever Vinnie Pestano. At the time it seemed like the Indians simply wanted to dump Pestano and Clevinger would just be minor league depth/roster fodder as he posted a 4.79 ERA and 4.73 FIP after being acquired (and wasn’t too good prior to deal either). However, 2015 was a completely different story for Clevinger.

While Clevinger spent all of the regular season with Double-A Akron in 2015, he received a call up to Triple-A Columbus to help their playoff rotation…and help he did. In two starts in the International League playoffs Clevinger threw 15.1 innings without allowing a run. He only allowed five hits, walked just three while striking out an eye-popping 17! After watching Cody Anderson get rostered last winter and ending up in Cleveland mid-season, one should not discount the same with Clevinger. Could show up on some top ten prospect lists for the Indians.

Prediction: Rostered

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