Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine 1 LORAIN COUNTY PREVIEW ...... pg.4 LORAIN COUNTY PREVIEW...... pg.7 WEOL FORECAST MAGAZINE SPRING 2016 PREVIEW A Publication of AM 930 WEOL LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS Volume 17 Issue 3

Andy “Bull” Barch New Ownership and New Leadership ...pg. 9 Station Manager INDIANS Preview...... pg. 12 Tim Alcorn Editor Matt Douglass BASEBALL SCHEDULES LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS ...... pg. 10 Feature Writers Andy Barch ...... pg. 15 Tim Grattan Joel Hammond Todd Shapiro WEOL BROADCAST SCHEDULES Cover Design KOLCZUN & KOLCZUN DIAMOND DUELS ...... pg. 3 BozCorn Productions

FROM THE DUGOUT...... pg. 13 Publisher Douthit Communications

About the Cover: Marques Inman: Marques Inman of Elyria had an outstanding senior season in 2015 earning the honor of Lorain County Mr. Baseball . During his final season, the Pioneers first baseman was a headache for pitchers hitting an impressive .400 with 10 doubles, 3 triples and a home run. Along with being named First-Team All-, Inman was also highly regarded throughout the county. Perfect Game, a national amateur baseball publication, had high praise for the Elyria native and named him high honorable men- tion on their All-American Squad. While Inman’s future will very likely see him playing professional baseball, the former Pioneer will be suiting up for the West Virginia Moun- taineers in 2016.

Anna Edwards: In the circle or at the plate, Avon’s Anna Edwards was a force to be reckoned with in 2015. Many would claim it was the pitching that led the Avon hurler to the Miss Lorain County Softball award, and with a record of 8-3 and a 1.41 ERA it would be hard to argue against. However, as good as Edwards was in the circle she was just as dangerous to opposing teams when she stepped into the batter’s box. In her career with the Eagles, Edwards held a batting average of .438 and drove in 100 runs. After leading Avon to their first conference title in 39 years, Edwards went onto to become just the second Lorain County player to win both the Miss Softball award and the Lorain County Senior Player of the Year Award.

2 Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine Welcome Letter, Spring 2016 Yes, we’ve had a relatively mild winter. Even so, there’s nothing like spring and sum- mer, sitting back and enjoying a baseball (or softball) game whether it’s on the local sandlots or professional diamonds. As my co-host of the WEOL Morning Show, Bruce VanDyke has said, baseball is the soundtrack of summer. Welcome to the 2016 spring edition of FORECAST. Inside, you’ll find team sched- ules, our broadcast schedules and previews of your favorite teams. WEOL AM 930 is proud to bring you Cleveland Indians baseball, select games of the Lake Erie Crushers and a busy schedule of high school baseball and softball games from Lorain County. Thanks to all of our terrific sponsors who make these games possible along with the managers, coaches and players from the majors to the minors and high school ball- fields.

Play ball! Craig R. Adams Operations Manager/News Director WEOL AM 930

Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine 3 2016 Lorain County High School softball preview By Todd Shapiro sion I recruits on their roster, who both hit over .400 last sea- The 2015 softball season led by seniors Summer Consta- son. ended like so many others in ble and Sammie Stefan, who Elyria had its string of 10 recent memory, with a Lorain batted .535 and .517 respec- consecutive district champi- County team playing in the tively last year. Keystone also onships broken last year by state tournament at Akron’s returns junior pitcher Lauren Westlake with its pitching ace Firestone Stadium and on AM - Shaw, a University of Iowa Katie Lew, a Cornell recruit; 930 WEOL With the amount of recruit, who went 20-6 last but the Pioneers will be loaded talent returning to the local year. Senior Destiny Weber is once again in 2016, as they sandlots this spring it’s likely the fourth Big Ten recruit on look to return to the state tour- the 2016 season will play out the Wildcats roster. Weber, a nament for the 12th time. The the in the same manner. senior catcher, hit .458 last sea- Pioneers, who are now mem- Keystone made its 14th son. bers of the appearance in the state tour- Stefan was also Lorain Conference, will have senior nament last season, losing to County's home run leader last Elizabeth Ellis, a 20-game win- Hebron Lakewood, 4-0, in the year with six in the regular sea- ner each of the last two sea- Division II state semifinals. KRISTIN BAUER / CHRONICLE son. sons, in the pitcher’s circle. The With nine of its 10 starters Keystone Coach Jim Piazza. Keystone also has a pair of Elyria offense will be led by returning from last year’s team Keystone? They enter the sea- Division I recruits — Madi Ellis, senior Carly Bachna and the Wildcats are a favorite to son ranked No. 14 in the coun- Cendrosky and Paige Hartley sophomore April Howser. Pio- make it back to Akron and try in the MaxPreps Top 100 — who will be staying closer to neers coach Ken Fenik joined contend for its fourth state national softball rankings. home and playing their college an elite group of coaches with championship. How good is The Wildcats have six Divi- softball at Cleveland State Uni- 500 career wins last season. versity. Avon broke a 39-year In coach Jim Piazza’s 14 drought last year by winning years at Keystone he has sent the final West Shore Confer- 18 players on to play NCAA ence championship. This year Division I softball. the Eagles will join Midview Elyria Catholic was one and North Ridgeville in shifting game away from Akron last over to the Southwestern Con- year, losing the Division III ference, joining Amherst and regional final against Warren Avon Lake. Champion. The Panthers, who Avon will have to replace will be competing in the new 2015 Miss Softball award win- this ner Anna Edwards but the spring, also returns almost its Eagles only had two seniors on entire starting lineup from last year’s roster and return a 2015, led by junior Sam Filiaggi pair of .400 hitters in Alex and senior Leigha Donaghue Kozich and Tina Clark.

See SOFTBALL, 5

4 Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine Mease proved herself as one of rely on the hitting of Brooke The good news for Vermilion is SOFTBALL the area’s elite hitters last year White, who batted .382 last that they return both of their From 4 batting .529. If the Rangers can season and the pitching of Alli- pitchers — Savannah Hitlan get consistent pitching they son Bouscher, who went 9-1 as and Becca Oates — from last The Amherst Comets will find themselves competing in a freshman with 65 strikeouts season and infielder Carley have a potent offense led by the upper tier of the SWC. in 59 innings. Skettle, who was second on the University of Connecticut The Avon Lake Shoregals Oberlin expects its strength team with a .337 batting aver- recruit Ashlee Dahman, who were a young team that experi- to be in the pitchers circle age. led the team with a .441 aver- enced some growing pains in where senior Arianna Ambro- Veteran coach Pam Jackson age last season. Amherst also 2015 but they had one of the returns its top-two home run area’s top home run hitter in sio and freshman Bryanna will have her Lorain Titans in hitters juniors Sarah Miller and junior Sarah Scott and a fresh- Rivas will share time. The contention to compete for the Madison Cruzado. man pitcher Lexi Anderson Phoenix also return a pair of title. Midview will have one of the who was among the top-10 in senior outfielders –Jayna Open Door Christian deepest teams in SWC, if not strikeouts. Mitchell and Rhiannon McKee School, is Lorain County’s only the entire area, with nine The Patriot Athletic Confer- — and junior power hitting other independent team. The returning letter winners, led by ence Stars Division has been infielder Makenzie Tallman. Patriots will have their third pitchers Lauren Landers who Keystone’s private playground Clearview struggled last sea- coach in as many season in went 12-6 last season and Sara since the league was founded son but expects to be much 2016 as Bill Dunston will be Lowman, who was 7-2 with a in 2005 but the Wildcats are far improved in 2016. Clippers leading a team hoping to make team-leading 1.12 ERA. Scor- from the only talented pro- coach Denny Myers hopes that a run in the Division IV tour- ing runs should not be a prob- gram in the Stars Division. an influx of new talent com- nament. lems for the Middies with four Wellington has the rare one- bined with a veteran senior The best place to see all of hitters who batted over .400 two combination of four-year class will give his team a the top local talent will once returning to the lineup this letter winners at pitcher and chance to make a run at its again be the Prebis Memorial spring. Senior center fielder catcher in Olivia Bradstock, an first league title since 2012. Classic. This year’s Classic will Morgan Hamker's .545 batting 11-game winner last season, average last year was the best who will be throwing to Mor- Vermilion is a team without be played on April 29-30 at in Lorain County. Landers gan Tandarich, who also hit a conference this season. Last LaGrange Community Park (.440), Gabby Shackelford three home runs last season. year the Sailors were part of and Wellington Recreation (.424) and Hally Ivan (.403) Firelands also brings back a the now defunct West Shore Park. In addition to hosts Key- were Midview's other .400 hit- veteran catcher in Alex Willis, Conference and next year they stone and Wellington, Lorain ters. who was Lorain County’s regu- turn their gaze to the west and County teams in the Prebis will North Ridgeville will be a lar season stolen base leader join the Sandusky Bay Confer- include Elyria, Avon, Amherst, young team this spring but last year. While over at Brook- ence but for now first-year Midview and Columbia. Over- coming off of a winning season side a star was born last season coach Lisa Hoffman is left to all 59 games are scheduled in its final year in the WSC the as Summer Metcalf burst upon play an independent schedule. over the two day event and AM Rangers bring a wealth of tal- the scene with three home - 930 WEOL will be on hand to ent into the Southwestern runs and 22 RBIs. broadcast from the event on Conference. Junior Addison Black River returns its lead- April 30. ing hitter Madison Combs, Very few counties, especially who hit .428 last year and a those in a northern climate, pair of veteran pitchers in Bai- ley Scheck and Hannah Barco, can match the bounty of talent whose 123 strikeouts were that is on display annually in third highest in the county in Lorain County. So free up an the regular season. afternoon this spring to check Over in the Stripes Division out your favorite team and Columbia has won the last KRISTIN BAUER / CHRONICLE watch some of the best softball KRISTIN BAUER / CHRONICLE three conference titles. Black River’s Madison on display anywhere in the Anna Edwards The Columbia Raiders will Combs United States.

Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine 5 6 Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine 2016 Lorain County High School baseball preview record and ninth in the final the ace of the Falcons this sea- Coaches Poll in Division I. son. Junior Nathan Kovach North Ridgeville looks to (.309 batting average) had two improve on a 6-21 record in triples and drove in 15 runs for their first season in the SWC. the Falcons last year. Coach Matt Ponting will look Keystone is coming off an to lean on his seniors James 18-8 season and shared the Qualls and Seth Anderson to PAC Stars Division title. Coach produce on offense this sea- Bert Fitzgerald is back for his son. Senior left-hander Nick fourth season with the Wild- Salvatore will look to be the cats and is bringing back an ace of the staff for the Rangers experienced roster with tal- followed by junior right-han- ented players. The Wildcats did der Chris Machovina and lose the PAC and Lorain Anderson. County (Division II) Player of Midview will be entering a the Year in Aaron Brodnik (8-0 new era with new manager record), but juniors Drew Todd Ratica. Ratica will be tak- Compton and Turner Camp- ing over for Scott Jalowiec, who bell will look to fill Brodnik’s will be looking to compete in shoes on the mound. PJ Prunty the new SWC. Ratica will be (.355 batting average) and Clay looking to lean on senior right- Todd (.324 batting average) will hander Brett Kopronica (3-3 record, 1.52 ERA) and senior See BASEBALL, 8 By: Tim Grattan year. Coach Kevin Marlow lost Dylan Brister (2-4 record, 2.51 Twitter: @Tim_Grattan77 Jeremiah Campo (Walsh Uni- ERA) to lead the Middies pitch- The competitive Southwest- versity) and Garrett Kordish ing staff. Gavin Taulbee will ern Conference features one of () to grad- lead the Middies on offense as the area’s top teams in uation, but the Shoremen will he batted .400 last season. Amherst, which is coming off have a veteran pitching staff After coming off a second an 18-11 season, second place coming back. Mitch Sorensen, record 22 wins, Don Ransom finish in the league and district James O’Connor and Holden returns for this second season runner-ups to St. Edward last Ohm are all back for their sen- with Firelands. Ransom led the season. Coach Matt Rositano ior year and will look to lead Falcons to a share of the will have an extremely talented the Shoremen in the new SWC Patriot Athletic Conference and deep pitching staff. Lead- this season. Stars Division title last season ing the Comets pitching staff There are new kids on the and a sectional championship. will be two first team All- block in the SWC, including Coastal Carolina commit, first Lorain County pitchers Evan the final West Shore Confer- team All-PAC and lefty Trevor Shawver (5-2 last season, 1.23 ence champions Avon. Frank Damron (5-1 record, 1.23 ERA, ERA) and Casey McConihe (2-2 DeSmit led the Eagles to a 23-6 five saves, 73 strikeouts) will be Aaron Brodnik last season, 4.97 ERA). Notre Dame College commit Nick DeJesus will also be in the Comets rotation. McConihe (.347 batting average, 13 RBIs, six doubles) will also look to lead the Comets on offense, including senior Joe Masters and junior Mark Harris. Avon Lake is coming off a 10-16 season, where they lost to North Olmsted in the Divi- sion I sectional semifinal last

Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine 7 struck out 34 batters. replace last year’s Mr. Baseball in their final season of the BASEBALL One of the best players in Marques Inman (West Virginia) WSC. Keck will have an experi- From 7 Lorain County is back wearing and Zach Minney (Lorain enced team with nine return- the Clearview Clipper uniform County Community College). ing letterman from the 2015 look to lead the Wildcats on for his senior season and his Lorain High will be looking season. Lake Erie College com- offense. name is Antonio Bennett. The to take the Lake Erie League mit Caleb Waller (.302 batting Wellington finished with an under .500 record (13-17) last Toledo commit Bennett (.506 title after falling to Euclid (who average, 3.32 ERA) looks to season, but got hot in the post- batting average) was a first left for the Greater Cleveland lead the Sailors at the plate season and fell to Akron Man- team All-PAC and All-Lorain Conference) for the third and on the mound as the chester in the Division III Cop- County member as he had 10 straight season and improve teams closer. ley District finals last season. doubles, 20 RBIs and stole 35 on a 16-8 record last season. Matt Loescher returns for First team All-PAC and All- bases for the Clippers (10-7). Coach Brad Ternes will be his 15th years as manager at Lorain County member Trist- Bennett has 67 stolen bases in returning some big hitters in Open Door looking to improve ian Arno is back to help lead his career and has been caught the lineup. Senior Brandon on a 2015 that saw the Patriots Roger Sasack’s Dukes. Arno only twice. Mason Sedivy (4-3 Bartlome (.464 batting aver- go 15-7 on the year. Tyler Haas (.327 batting average) led the record, 1.33 ERA) will look to age) stole a team-high 22 bases (.531 batting average) will not Dukes with 11 doubles and continue his first team All-PAC and had 32 hits. Ternes will playing his senior season due drove in 29 RBIs. Sam Ech- conference dominance on the also be leaning on senior to an off-season injury. First stenkamper (.385 batting aver- mound for the Dennis Anthony Saegert and senior team All-Lorain County mem- age) will be back as catcher for Pihlbald’s Clippers team in Sergio Soto to lead the pitching ber Dustin Hackney (.430 bat- the Dukes after missing half 2016. staff this season. Alejandro ting average) will lead the the season last year due to an injury. Oberlin finished in last place Ortiz is ranked third in his Patriots on the field as he Brad Bomback is back for his in the PAC Stripes with a 3-13 class with a 3.77 unweighted drove in 18 runs and stole 20 fifth season at Brookside, as conference record. Coach Lynn GRA and a 4.34 weighted. bases. the Cardinals finished third in Gray looks to have an Vermilion will be an inde- Lake Ridge’s Jason Dimac- the PAC Stars last season. After improved Phoenix team with pendent for the 2016 season chia is entering his fourth sea- leading the PAC in homeruns CJ Ramsey and Sam Wilson and will be joining the brand son at the manger for the Roy- and his team in wins on the returning for their senior sea- new als. Junior Collin Harris will mound, Dudley Taw returns son. in 2017. Jeff Keck is back for his lead the Royals’ offense. Senior for his senior season. Senior Elyria Catholic will be play- 15th season with the Sailors right-hand pitcher Niko Ortiz Brad Hughes and junior Tim ing in the new Great Lakes and went 20-9 overall and 8-6 will be expected to lead the Ackerman will look to be pro- Conference this season after ductive for the Cardinals this the West Shore Conference was season. disbanded. Nebraska commit Columbia is coming off the and junior Andrew Abra- 2015 with an under .500 record (11-13), but won the Patriot hanowcz and senior Sean Dar- Athletic Conference Stripes mafall (Division III All-Ohio Division for the fourth year in outfield) will look to lead Bruce a row. Bluffton commit and Lisicky club who won 23 senior Sam Krizek will look to games last season. lead the Raiders on offense. He Ed Piazza is back as coach had a team-high 31 hits and for Elyria, who is also entering drove in 17 runs in 2015. First a new league in the Greater team All-PAC and All-County Cleveland Conference. The Cody Reichard will be the ace Pioneers went 12-15 last sea- of coach Justin Ramsey’s pitch- son in the old ing staff. Reichard was 5-2 last Conference and will look to year with a 1.62 ERA and

8 Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine Lake Erie Crushers: New ownership and new leadership give Crushers new hope

Submitted photos

By: Andy “Bull” Barch However, as you’ll read down Crushers changed? The last few years, we’ve below in my Q and A with Tom, TK: The first task we faced taken this space to clue you in there are plenty of reasons to was rebuilding the front office on who will be returning to the believe that the product will be staff. There has been tremen- Crushers, and what to expect much better on the field in dous turnover in the front from some of the new players 2016. Tom’s arrival, along with office over the past few years that will be invited to camp in a new front office, will offer a and stabilizing and re-building early May. This year, we’re tak- sense of renewed enthusiasm, that team was absolutely job Tom Kramig ing a different approach, as I as the Crushers look to turn number one. We have more and with my wife Jacqueline sit down and conduct a Q and things around both on and off than doubled this group since and I both being from Ohio, A session with the new owner the field under new ownership. the first of the year, and tried coming back to the Buckeye of the Lake Erie Crushers, Tom AB: Andy Barch TK: Tom to bring in folks with profes- State was a huge factor. We Kramig. Kramig sional sports experience. We started talks with the former Last year was a down year AB: You arrived a little less are really excited about the owner in June and visited the for the Crushers on the field, as than six months ago to take new team we have assembled ballpark and area several times they finished the season with a over as the President of the and feel like they will be last summer. The opportunity record of 38-57, the worst in Lake Erie Crushers. During extremely helpful in building here was obvious from the their seven years of existence. that stretch, how have the the fan-friendly environment start and negotiations started we are hoping to create. in the late summer and fall. AB: For those that are not We signed a purchase agree- familiar with the entire process ment and corresponding man- of purchasing a team, take us agement agreement in early through a timeline of the October and took over day to events that occurred leading day operations the 2nd week of up to you acquiring the Crush- October. The intention from ers. the start has been to purchase TK: The process started late the team, but the process was in 2014. We looked at several slowed, waiting for the State of different opportunities in sev- Ohio to transfer the liquor eral different leagues including license. Once that process was the Atlantic League, the Florida finalized in late January, we State league and even some were able to close the deal and other fran- take full ownership. chises. Avon, Ohio was by far the most attractive of these, See CRUSHERS, 11 Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine 9 10 Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine Still, owning the Crushers is a CRUSHERS pretty awesome experience From 9 and we couldn’t be happier to be in northern Ohio. AB: What kind of plans do AB: What are some of the you have for the immediate things that immediately stood future for the Crushers (over out to you when you arrived the next 6-12 months), and for here in Avon? the long term future of the TK: The growth in Avon Crushers? jumped out at us immediately. TK: Minor league baseball is There are lots of exciting things all about the fan experience, so going on in this community improving that is our top pri- with Cabela’s, Meijer and ority now that the staff has Menard’s all moving in. The been re-built. Customer serv- other factor that really excited ice has suffered here over the us was the passion of Cleve- past couple of years, so there is land area sports fans. The fans a big emphasis on making sure in this area really support their TK: Well first and foremost high priorities. Down the road the fans have a great time sports teams and we have we want to put a winning team we would like to add a video when they come out to watch already found great support for on the field. That starts with board but that may be a year us play. We’re looking at the Crushers. The community giving “Mong” total control of or two away. We are definitely upgrading several areas has been incredibly welcoming the roster, line-up, and coach- looking at this as a long-term including painting the ball- and supportive of our efforts to ing staff, which we have done. investment. park, improving concessions, buy the team, and we have We also want to improve every The Crushers will begin the aspect of the fan experience, upgrading the Kid’s Zone, heard over and over how much 2016 season at home against from our new website, to what adding an awning and bar to they want the franchise to suc- the on ceed. If you provide fans in they find at the ballpark. Better the picnic plaza as well as Thursday, May 12. The first upgrading the luxury suites. I northeast Ohio a strong prod- and more varied food options pitch at All Pro Freight Sta- think fans will find a whole uct, we have no doubt they will are big, and our new Food & dium is scheduled for 7:05 PM. new attitude in the staff, and support you. Beverage Director has a lot of quite honestly the team also AB: From a fan’s perspective, great ideas. The previously For more information on the has to be better. There’s no how do you plan to improve mentioned upgrades to the 2016 season, please visit the question Chris Mongiardo can the overall value of the product Kid’s Zone, 3rd base picnic Crushers’ website, at win in this league if he is pro- over the next two seasons? plaza and luxury suites are also www.lakeeriecrushers.com. vided the right resources, which we think we are doing. We want to win on the field, with the fans, and in the com- munity…next year and for years to come. AB: Everyone has their favorite baseball story, what is yours? TK: Growing up in Cincin- nati in the 70’s era of the Big Red Machine, I got to see a lot of great baseball moments, such as Henry Aaron hitting 714 on opening day in 1974. I was fortunate enough to attend several of the 1970, 1972, 1975 and 1976 World Series games. And though this may be painful to Indians fans, the 1970 All-Star game when Pete Rose ran over Ray Fosse. It was a great time and place to be a young baseball fan. Peo- ple ask if it was always my dream to own a team…well actually my dream as a kid was to “play” in the major leagues but that ended when I got cut from my high school team. Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine 11 Cleveland Indians 2016 season preview By: Joel Hammond The Cleveland Indians fell short of the club’s own and fans’ expectations in 2015. Then-General Manager Chris Antonetti told reporters the day after the season ended that the fact he was sitting there, speaking with media, means the organization was disap- pointed. But despite falling short, there are plenty of reasons for optimism: The team boasts one of the best – if not the best – rotations in baseball, at a time when starters are com- manding massive contracts on the free agent market. Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley are perennial All-Star candidates. They are joined by an again-healthy Yan Gomes – into the final weekend of each out and see how often and how who won the Silver Slugger of the last two seasons before consistently we can play good Award in 2014 as the American falling just short. baseball.” League’s best-hitting catcher – This offseason, respected The Indians are in position and Francisco Lindor, who advanced statistics site Fan- to contend for postseason took the league by storm last Graphs has projected the Indi- spots and more for years to year in finishing as the runner- ans with the best chance to come. Much of the core that’s up in the AL Rookie of the Year win the American League Cen- pushed the club to three con- balloting. tral and with the fifth-best secutive seasons is in place for Add to that core supporting chance among all MLB teams many more seasons: Rotation cast members such as Mike to win the World Series. members Corey Kluber, Carlos Napoli, Rajai Davis and Juan “We’ve shown that when we Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Cody Uribe, and the Indians again play good baseball, we can Anderson and Trevor Bauer are figure to be in the postseason play with anyone. When we under club control through race. After finishing 92-70 in don’t, we get beat,” said man- 2020, while Josh Tomlin signed 2013 and playing in the AL ager Terry Francona, now in a two-year contract extension Wild Card game, the Tribe has his fourth season at the helm. been in the Wild Card hunt “It’s our responsibility to go See INDIANS, 13 Rajai Davis

12 Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine year older, and I believe we INDIANS have the best staff in the major From 12 leagues.” Though traditional statistics this offseason. don’t reflect it, Kluber followed On the position player side, up his 2014 Cy Young Award Kipnis, Gomes and Lindor are with an equally impressive under club control through at 2015. He went 9-16, but suf- least 2019, with Brantley here fered from poor run support in through 2018. many of his starts. Advanced The team’s strength again metrics looked favorably upon will be pitching, as the Indians his season, as he finished with followed up a league-record the eight-highest Wins Above Corey Kluber 1,450 strikeouts in 2014 with Replacement among MLB 1,407 more last year. Four pitchers. He even finished high 15 batters and one-hit the of the Month Award in Sep- pitchers struck out 170 or ninth in AL Cy Young voting, Kansas City Royals. tember, going 5-0 with a 1.38 more batters, only the third despite that 9-16 record. Salazar – at age 25 – also ERA, while Tomlin went 7-2 time that’s happened in the Carrasco followed his strong broke out, winning 14 games with a 3.05 ERA in 10 starts modern era. end to 2014 with a breakout to tie with Carrasco for the after returning from shoulder “I have the privilege of 2015 season, winning a team- team lead. He also struck out surgery. catching a staff that everyone high 14 games and striking out 195 batters, 19th in the Majors, In the bullpen, Cody Allen talks about,” Gomes said in 216 – ninth most in the Majors. and was 12th in the bigs in saved 34 games, struck out 99 Spring Training. “For me it’s, Carrasco on two occasions strikeouts per nine innings. in 69 innings and had the let’s not mess this up. It’s a nearly no-hit his opponent: On Bauer, at age 24, won 11 highest WAR among relievers young group. We all came up July 1, he came within a strike games and struck out 170 bat- in baseball (per FanGraphs). together, they’ve developed of no-hitting the Rays, but Joey ters in 176 innings, while Tom- “You saw what some pitch- tremendously. It’s a lot of fun Butler broke it up with two out lin and Anderson solidified the ers were getting in free agency seeing the recognition every- in the ninth. In September, back end of the rotation: and the cost in trades,” Fran- Anderson won the AL Pitcher one is getting. Everyone’s a Carrasco struck out a career- See INDIANS, 14

Spring 2016 Forecast Magazine 13 “I’m doing great – I’m mak- Goodyear, of watching his INDIANS ing progress each and every teammates’ habits. “I always From 13 day. I’m excited where I am,” thought I worked hard. Seeing said Brantley, who spent a the guys work as hard as they cona said. “If we trade one, large chunk of time in Cleve- do, day in and day out, it how do you get one back? It’s land this offseason while he showed me – if they’re doing it, too hard. We never felt that rehabbed, not his native I’d better do it. They’re doing it someone would give us what Florida as he usually does. at a great level and they’re suc- we asked – they would have “This offseason has been a cessful – if I want to get to that had to bowl us over.” little different, because I love level, I need to incorporate The Indians must generate to hit in the offseason. But, it’s those things.” more offense, though, espe- a game of adjustments. I need Add in Gomes – who won cially with Brantley recovering to take my time, ease into my that 2014 Silver Slugger but from right shoulder surgery. swing and get it ready to go. It’s was behind schedule after his While the timetable for his been different in Cleveland in first-weekend injury last year – return still is uncertain, reports the winter – I had to drive and Napoli, Davis and Uribe, from Arizona have been posi- carefully in the snow.” Jason Kipnis and the Tribe should be better tive, with Terry Francona peg- The Indians lack a true bop- against left-handed pitching, a ging Brantley ahead of the Kipnis is now a two-time All- per in the truest sense of the weakness the last few years. In original return estimate of late Star after a career year in 2015. word, but the game has addition to their veteran lead- April or early May. That included an historic May, changed and those players ership, Napoli, Davis and Uribe That will be key, as Brantley a month when Kipnis hit a have become more scarce – have been productive hitters – despite various nagging staggering .429 with 51 hits. and the reliance on the home against lefties. injuries throughout the season run has lessened. To wit: The For the season, he led all AL – led the team with a .310 aver- World Series champion Kansas second basemen in average, age, which was fourth in the City Royals hit fewer home on-base percentage, slugging American League. He also had runs than the Indians did in percentage and OPS; he led AL 45 doubles – leading the AL – 2015. leadoff hitters with a .385 OBP and became only the fourth More importantly, the Indi- and ranked behind only player in Indians history to ans also have a solid core of Michael Brantley in doubles, have consecutive seasons of 45 position players that the club with 43. or more doubles. (He also had has supplemented this offsea- Meanwhile, Lindor not only 45 in 2014.) son. In addition to Brantley, was one of the best AL rookies last year, but one of the best players in the bigs in the sea- Yan Gomes son’s second half. His .345 sec- ond-half average was second “These are guys who are in the majors behind Joey good pieces, good teammates,” Votto, while his 99 hits were Brantley said. third behind Jose Altuve and That trio also will help the Xander Bogaerts – and were Indians defense, which actu- fourth-highest in Indians his- ally ranked second in the tory. He was just the ninth AL league after Lindor and Gio- rookie 21 or younger since vanny Urshela were inserted 1994 with 100 hits, 10 homers on the left side of the infield. and 110 steals in a season, Napoli, Davis and Uribe each joining the likes of Mike Trout, rank as plus defenders at their Bryce Harper and more. positions, with Uribe ranking “It has impressed me the first among MLB third base- way my teammates have been men since 2011 in fielding per- Michael Brantley working,” Lindor said in centage.

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