Spring Training 2020: The Rotation

Spring training is almost upon us and with it comes speculation. For the Cleveland Indians, they appear settled with what they have, as dull as that may be. However, there's a handful of position battles to monitor once pitchers and catchers report again, providing us with some meaningful talking points.

The Rotation

With Corey Kluber now with the Rangers, the Indians will rely on Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber and a healthy Carlos Carrasco to front the rotation. Which leaves two open spots, likely to be contested by Zach Plesac, Aaron Civale and Adam Plutko.

Plesac started 21 games for the Tribe in 2019 and impressed in his rookie season. The 2016 draft pick recorded a 3.81 ERA over 115.2 innings and was a mainstay for Cleveland down the stretch. Considering the 6'3 right hander wasn't expected to feature for the Indians last year, he did remarkably well. The highlight of his year came in mid-September when he dominated the Angels in a four-hit, complete game shutout. Plesac was the first Indians rookie to throw a shutout since 2006 (recorded by the infamous Jeremy Sowers of all people).

Plesac's 4.94 FIP was a cause for concern though, and he recorded a below average 6.85 K/9 too. His propensity for walks was also a little worrying, his 3.11 BB/9 and 8.4% walk rate both above league average. Despite that, Plesac showed enough potential to be considered a rotation favorite ahead of 2020 and he'll be given the spring to cement his place, but he's far from a sure thing to keep his spot.

Civale also impressed as a rookie, joining Plesac in the rotation to make 10 superb starts over August and September (with a cameo in June too). The 24-year-old finished 2019 with a 2.34 ERA and 3.40 FIP, for an astounding 202 ERA+. Civale loved pitching against the lowly Tigers in particular, excelling in each of his three starts with a 1.31 ERA and an Indians victory each time.

Given the small sample size, questions about Civale sustaining this level will linger until the season gets underway and like Plesac, Civale isn't guaranteed his position either. However, his resumé of work at the big league level so far has been overwhelmingly positive and he's favored to retain his place, provided he avoids disaster in the spring.

Plutko is the final contender and is out of minor league options. He has to make it stick or he could be headed out of Cleveland for good. The 28-year-old Californian pitched 109.1 innings over 21 appearances in 2019, and recorded a 4.86 ERA. Plutko's overall numbers are typical for a number five guy and he was often solid when called upon. His 5.23 FIP and 97 ERA+ are unremarkable but Plutko was an important contributor when the Indians needed him most: his maturity, ability to eat innings, and overall reliability were invaluable when the Tribe lost Kluber, Clevinger and Carrasco to injuries.

Among his fellow contenders, Plutko is the more experienced pitcher, throwing more MLB innings than both Plesac and Civale combined. Of course, those innings by Plutko were ultimately less spectacular and effective than those thrown by his younger teammates, which may give them the advantage. The veteran certainly feels like the outsider looking in but an impressive spring could be enough to secure his place in the rotation. As the underdog, you can't help but root for him.

The fringe challengers invited to spring training consist of Logan Allen, Triston McKenzie, Scott Moss and Jefry Rodriguez. Nobody from this group is expected to seriously upset the established order, and would only be in the running if injury struck. Perhaps Rodriguez could feature for spot starts or a relief role, but the others may benefit from more seasoning in the upper minor leagues.

With spring training on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out, and who management will opt for.

Aaron Civale - The Simple Things

Yesterday, whilst watching Aaron Civale pitch in just his third Major League game, I was struck by the 24 year-old's poise and serenity on the mound.

Civale made pitching look effortless. In fact, everything he did looked effortless.

Total composure under pressure.

By no means was Civale perfect in sunny Minnesota, but he was pretty close, giving up one sacrifice fly to Luis Arraez, over the course of six outstanding innings of work. His final line for the day was 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks and 5 strikeouts. All against the AL Central-leading, record-setting Twins, in a potentially season defining game that the Indians ultimately won (thank you Carlos, we love you).

Not bad for a rookie.

When called upon this year, Civale has answered. Sure, it's a small sample - how do you accurately judge a pitcher after just three games? But what we have seen, what we've witnessed so far, has been overwhelmingly positive.

Previously deployed as a spot starter in June for then-injured Mike Clevinger, this August has seen Civale get the opportunity to stick in the rotation. Once Danny Salazar's latest comeback attempt was halted by yet another setback, Terry Francona and his staff looked no further than Civale, and to his credit the 2016 third round draft pick has delivered.

Over three starts and 18 total innings, Civale has been tagged for just two earned runs, giving him an aesthetically pleasing 1.00 ERA. He's walked just four batters (only one walk in his last two games as well) and struck out eighteen. Civale's ability to pound the zone and stay ahead in the count has been enormously effective.

It sounds like such a simple strategy - throw strikes and get your man out, but obviously it's never that simple.

Somehow, Civale makes it appear so.

It's this deceptive simplicity that has been the key to Civale's success thus far, even when he's throwing 95mph two-seam fastballs for yet another punchout. Civale would be the first to tell you, I'm sure: There's nothing deceptive about telling your enemy to go sit their ass down.

With Corey Kluber's impending return to the Tribe getting closer every day, there's a strong chance Civale might not be in Cleveland for the long term, not in 2019 anyway. And that's okay, because the rookie has done exactly what has been asked of him, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be disappointed to see him demoted back to Triple-A Columbus.

Nevertheless, Civale has made a great first impression, and you can bet he'll be ready to answer the call next time out.