Cleveland Indians: Can Carlos Carrasco become the ace in 2018?

The Cleveland Indians will have the bulk of their pitching back in the 2018 season. With Corey Kluber coming off a Cy Young season, can anyone on the staff surpass him as the staff’s ace?

The Cleveland Indians had a great year from their pitchers as the trio of Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, and Trevor Bauer combined for a 53-19 record as a staff. Pitching has been the backbone of the Indians core since these three made their way to the majors.

In 2017, Kluber had one of, if not, his best seasons as a pitcher. He won his second Cy Young and was dominant throughout the regular season. This staff is exceptional and the three listed above had a very good season together. The Indians hope that production will continue into 2018.

Surpassing Kluber as the current ace of the staff is a near impossible task in present day. If anyone were to do it, my money is on Carrasco.

Carrasco had arguably his best season in the majors in 2017. He surpassed his career bests in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched while also recording his lowest loss count since becoming a mainstay in the rotation.

Carrasco is still a very young pitcher in the league. However, he is only just beginning to reach his full potential. He has an above average fastball that can get up to 95+ MPH. His ability to overpower hitters with his mix of speeds is ace-like.

Carrasco has the intensity and longevity to go deep into every start. He will give a “quality start” by definition nine out of every ten times.

His change-up has great speed differential off his fastball, generating more swings and misses. His ability to gain 12-6 movement on both his slider and curve make his arsenal a deadly attack to hitters.

The Indians use him as their second starter in the rotation behind the current ace Corey Kluber. Carrasco complements, as well as feeds, off of Kluber starting the day before him.

His arsenal mixed with his attitude and stamina allow him to go deep into games and give opponents fits. Because he has such a strong arm, his value to the staff is very high.

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The Indians boast one of the best rotations in all of baseball. Because of Kluber’s dominance it would be hard to pass him as the ace but Carlos Carrasco has all the tools to become the go to guy in the Tribe’s rotation.