Cleveland Indians: Ryan Merritt deserves long look for rotation spot

The Cleveland Indians announced some big news about their rotation on Monday. One spot is locked down, leaving one more to go.

Mike Clevinger will earn himself a spot in the rotation. That means four rotation spots are filled. That leaves one for either Josh Tomlin or Ryan Merritt, now that Danny Salazar will reportedly go on the disabled list.

Tomlin appears to be the favorite for the fifth and final spot so far. The 33 year old veteran has started at least 16 games for the Tribe in five of the past seven seasons. But his 2017 campaign didn’t go entirely great. He posted a 4.98 ERA over 26 starts, and, while some of that was bad luck, hasn’t posted a sub-4.00 ERA over a full season in his career.

Tomlin is exceptional at limiting walks, allowing only 14 free passes over 141 innings last season. Control is the name of Tomlin’s game. But he gives up a lot of home runs, frequently averaging more home runs allowed per nine innings than walks per nine. He allowed 23 long balls in 2017 and 36 the year before.

And that is why I think Merritt should get the rotation spot over Tomlin. Merritt is only 26, has done a great job in limited appearances the past two seasons, and is pretty good at limiting walks himself.

Why Merritt is a better fit in the Indians rotation

Let’s look at the rotation so far. You have Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, and Mike Clevinger. What do all of them have in common? If you guessed that they’re all right handers, you are correct! Having a rotation comprised entirely of right handers isn’t exactly ideal, as managers would prefer to give opposing hitters a different look once in a while. That’s what makes left handers so valuable. And it just so happens that Merritt is left handed.

Having a left handed pitcher go out there every fifth day forces opposing managers to change their lineup since a lot of lefty hitters don’t perform too well against their fellow southpaws.

Tomlin is another right hander and putting him in the rotation above Merritt would leave few chances for the Cleveland Indians to change the opposing lineup.

How is the battle shaping up?

Based on statistics alone, Merritt seems to be doing better in spring training so far. Merritt has pitched in three games, completing 4.2 innings with a 3.86 ERA with three strikeouts. Tomlin so far has an ugly 11.25 ERA, having given up five runs in two games covering four innings.

The Cleveland Indians should take a long look at Merritt for the starting rotation this spring. He’s young, he’s performed well in limited action, and has put up good numbers in Triple-A. He’s almost like a younger, left handed version of Tomlin. He focuses on his control, limiting walks, doesn’t strike out many, and doesn’t allow too many homers, just like Tomlin in his younger days.

Plus, Merritt has proven he can handle the pressure. We all remember his start in Game 5 of the 2016 ALCS, going 4.1 shutout innings against the Blue Jays in the most intense game he’s probably ever pitched. While he won’t earn a rotation spot this year because of that start in 2016, it’s a sign of what the future may hold for him.

Merritt won’t be able to earn a spot because of that nostalgia, but he will earn it through the merit, pun intended, of his accomplishments this spring. So far, he looks to be doing well, but we’re still a long way from the start of the regular season. But the Cleveland Indians should give a long look at the young lefty over the veteran righty in Tomlin.

Next: The under the radar bullpen piece

It seems like most have written off Merritt as the long reliever out of the bullpen this year and have already given Tomlin the spot. But the Indians have done no such thing yet, and this battle should get more attention as the spring goes on.