More often than not, the Cleveland Indians choose to go by the book to develop a heralded prospect by giving him time to slowly progress through each level. This approach worked quite well in 2015 with phenom shortstop Francisco Lindor, who had a breakout season as a rookie and finished second in the vote for American League Rookie of the Year.
I also like the recent move to acquire Juan Uribe to give young third baseman Giovanny Urshela more time to develop with less pressure on him in Columbus, however, I think that line of thinking should be scratched in the case of starting pitcher Michael Clevinger. I believe the Indians should really consider putting him in the bullpen to start the 2016 season and let him develop on the Major League level.
When you look at Clevinger, who was acquired in August 2014 in a trade with the Angels for reliever Vinnie Pestano, it’s easy to now see the Indians likely got the better end of the deal. Clevinger, who has generated quite a bit of Spring Training buzz, has electric stuff and is being groomed as a potential ace down the road for the Indians and is a long shot at best to make the team in 2016 as the number five starter. He’s behind guys like Josh Tomlin, Cody Anderson and perhaps even lefty T.J. House, who stand in his way. Keep in mind, Clevinger made 26 starts (27 appearances) in AA Akron in 2015, and logged 158 innings and recorded 145 strikeouts while posting a 2.73 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Impressive numbers for sure.
Clevinger is now 25 and has yet to pitch above the AA level (outside of two play-off appearances in 2015) since he was drafted in 2011 by Anaheim. Most have him pegged to start the 2016 in Columbus to further develop, especially since he’s only appeared in 64 games in the minors of which he’s started 59 in five seasons compiling a total of 308.1 innings.
Can Clevinger really develop into a starting ace on the Major League level? He certainly realizes that he’s not getting younger and looks to make the most of his opportunity right now to showcase his skills during Spring Training.
Clevinger appears to have made an impression on closer Cody Allen, who said in a recent interview with Indians broadcaster Jim Rosenhaus that Clevinger should make the team to start the season. Whether that’s really just a case of a guy supporting his teammate isn’t really the point though.
Remember, Allen was a 23rd round pick of the Tribe in the MLB draft in 2011 at age 22. After pitching basically one year quickly rising through the minors, at age 23 he was promoted to Cleveland in 2012 and made 27 appearances in his rookie season. After completing two seasons in MLB, Allen became the team’s primary closer and is now at age 27 is considered among the best in baseball.
With Clevinger, he’s a pitcher who throws in the mid to upper 90’s and for his entire Minor League career has averaged fewer than 5 innings per appearance. Even in 2015, he lasted less than 6 innings per start and had only 13 of his 26 starts considered quality starts, which are defined as 6 innings or more while giving up three runs or fewer.
My question is are the Indians wasting a valuable resource by trying to lengthen this talented arm out as a starter when he could potentially fill a valuable middle relief role right now in the bullpen?
It’s also important to note that Clevinger is actually older than Trevor Bauer, 25, and just three months younger than Anderson, 25, and 11 months younger than Danny Salazar, 26. So is it worth investing another year in the minors trying develop Clevinger into a starter, who may have a hard time EVER cracking this rotation? Why not utilize that talented arm right now in Cleveland? Perhaps Clevinger could help a solid bullpen become a great bullpen?
I realize that it’s easier for Clevinger to start his season in Columbus where he can relax and blow away AAA hitters for a few months and then if he’s lucky get promoted to Cleveland to pitch in some capacity. Sometimes though, it’s worth taking a small risk in the player development effort to put a more competitive product out on the Major League field in Cleveland.
I can remember when CC Sabathia was a rookie in 2001 and the plan was to send the big 20-year old lefty down to AAA to begin the season to let him develop, but Manager Charlie Manuel argued that the kid was ready and wanted him on the team now.
All Sabathia did for the Tribe that year was turn in a 17-5 record in 33 starts and 180 innings, striking out 171 batters to finish second in the American League Rookie of the Year vote. Not to mention, the Indians won 91 games and earned a postseason berth by winning the Central Division.
I’m not saying Clevinger is the next Sabathia. What I’m saying is, sometimes, the conventional wisdom regarding player development should be discarded. The guy has the arm, the talent and seems to be taking everything he does extremely serious this spring.
Francona has proven he’s among the best in baseball when it comes to managing his bullpens. Who better to guide a young reliever trying to earn his mark? Not to mention that Mickey Callaway is among the best pitching coaches in the Majors.
Clevinger could be used in situations that match his strengths. He can come in during the fifth or sixth or even seventh innings when some length is needed in the bullpen or he could come in to a situation when a big strikeout is needed.
The argument against this is, what if he flops? Would it be worth ruining a potential starter down the road for the Tribe who could maybe use some more seasoning in the minors?
In most cases or teams the answer would be no, but the Indians have their rotation locked up for a number of years with favorable contracts and there are at least two other starters who also likely won’t make the team ahead of him on the depth chart.
However, Clevinger is showing heart and desire and that he desperately wants to pitch for the Indians to start the season. So do some of his teammates. He’s got the talent. So why not reward this combination and give him a chance?
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