2017 Cleveland Indians

[BimboColesHair]

To be fair, last year, Frazier was leaps and bounds better. Zimmer was trending downwards because he couldn't figure out his swing and how to not make it loopy.

This is really a testament to Zimmer and reworking his swing mechanics. Not many guys have the ability to stop swinging the way they have all their life, that made them a first round pick, and change it up so efficiently. This is how guys take the next step in their development.

It was always right there for Zimmer to become an elite prospect. But it's impressive that he is working hard to make sure he makes himself elite. Hopefully we are just tapping into what could become a great outfielder for the Indians.

Think this is something being overlooked with regards to him...this was pretty much his 1st legit professional offseason, or at least his 1st pro offseason after experiencing some failure as a pro where he could solely focus on getting better as a player/making adjustments.

His first professional offseason where he got to only tinker/work on stuff was after he was drafted, in the winter of 2014-15, after he went .302/.400/.492 in 50 games...not exactly the type of numbers where you feel the urge to change your approach or tinker with your mechanics.

Last year, with the foot surgery and rehab, it probably cost him a good bit of development over the winter, and he was coming off a stretch in AA to finish the season where he point blank was failing at the plate hitting the ball.

But this spring it was obvious he had that luxury. Looks way more filled out than previous years, tinkered his set-up and simplified his swing, and looks very confident after a good showing in the AZFL, which were all things he couldn't have done last winter, because most of his offseason consisted of rehabbing and trying to get as healthy as possible before the season, as opposed to doing things strictly to try to improve his play.

 

[sportscoach]

Is Willy Mo going make or accept the Clippers roster?

It's either that or he heads back to Japan/Korea and maybe makes a bit more money. We will know soon, but I doubt he even has a shot to make the big league roster to be sincere.

 

[sportscoach]

Think this is something being overlooked with regards to him...this was pretty much his 1st legit professional offseason, or at least his 1st pro offseason after experiencing some failure as a pro where he could solely focus on getting better as a player/making adjustments.

His first professional offseason where he got to only tinker/work on stuff was after he was drafted, in the winter of 2014-15, after he went .302/.400/.492 in 50 games...not exactly the type of numbers where you feel the urge to change your approach or tinker with your mechanics.

Last year, with the foot surgery and rehab, it probably cost him a good bit of development over the winter, and he was coming off a stretch in AA to finish the season where he point blank was failing at the plate hitting the ball.

But this spring it was obvious he had that luxury. Looks way more filled out than previous years, tinkered his set-up and simplified his swing, and looks very confident after a good showing in the AZFL, which were all things he couldn't have done last winter, because most of his offseason consisted of rehabbing and trying to get as healthy as possible before the season, as opposed to doing things strictly to try to improve his play.

Zimmer to me looked a lot better in spring than he did last season, I just don't actually expect him to be in play when it comes to being on the roster anytime this season. Brantley is looking healthy, we decided to keep Jackson, which means he is replacing Milner on the 40 man roster and it's likely whoever is getting the last spot on the team Diaz/Martinez will get Anderson's spot on the 40 man as he goes to the 60 day DL. Now Cooney is up in the air whether it's the 15 or 60 day DL.

Now of course any major injuries (aka putting Chisenhall/Naquin/Brantley) on the 60 day DL, an out for the season scenario for one of them, I think Zimmer then will get a call up, but the way it currently stands I am doubting we see Zimmer in 2017.

Now since Jackson has made the roster does that mean Almonte is being sent down or that Brantley/Chisenhall isn't starting the season with the club? We are keeping 5 OFs so either Brantley/Chisenhall is starting the season on the DL or Almonte is starting at AAA.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Zimmer to me looked a lot better in spring than he did last season, I just don't actually expect him to be in play when it comes to being on the roster anytime this season. Brantley is looking healthy, we decided to keep Jackson, which means he is replacing Milner on the 40 man roster and it's likely whoever is getting the last spot on the team Diaz/Martinez will get Anderson's spot on the 40 man as he goes to the 60 day DL. Now Cooney is up in the air whether it's the 15 or 60 day DL.

Now of course any major injuries (aka putting Chisenhall/Naquin/Brantley) on the 60 day DL, an out for the season scenario for one of them, I think Zimmer then will get a call up, but the way it currently stands I am doubting we see Zimmer in 2017.

Now since Jackson has made the roster does that mean Almonte is being sent down or that Brantley/Chisenhall isn't starting the season with the club? We are keeping 5 OFs so either Brantley/Chisenhall is starting the season on the DL or Almonte is starting at AAA.

Almost all but a guarantee we see Zimmer in Cleveland at some point this season.

 

[sportscoach]

Almost all but a guarantee we see Zimmer in Cleveland at some point this season.

Eh, I am doubting we do just cause our OF is set, now maybe in September but barring injury we won't see him.

 

[Snarly]

Eh, I am doubting we do just cause our OF is set, now maybe in September but barring injury we won't see him.

The word is he will up sometime this year, So there is that. I would bring him up for a game or two to get a taste basically. If Brantley comes back 100% no chance we see Zimmer in a role here other than testing his ability. He is MLB ready to most teams but this a team ready to compete so I see no harm in not rushing him. I can finally say that about a prospect and feel good saying.

 

[AZ_]

Eh, I am doubting we do just cause our OF is set, now maybe in September but barring injury we won't see him.

Set?

An Austin Jackson/Tyler Naquin platoon is not what major league teams consider set

 

[sportscoach]

Set?

An Austin Jackson/Tyler Naquin platoon is not what major league teams consider set

Well the Rookie of the year candidate last season has had a .400+ spring and Jackson has looked pretty good since he has come back. They are not moving Zimmer up just cause this season. So unless one of the major guys, Brantley, Chisenhall, Naquin, are out for an extended amount of time then we won't see Zimmer before September. We aren't seeing Zimmer unless he gets everyday at bats and I don't see where he would this season in the OF if Brantley keeps up how he is looking this spring. To me they have no reason to add Zimmer to the 40 man roster before he needs to be protected. Also we still have to see what they are doing with Almonte since if they are keeping Jackson, he is the odd man out likely since he has options and will start in the minors. They will use Almonte before Zimmer to be sincere.

Now he will be added next season to the 40 man roster, and I think we will trade Chisenhall/not renew Brantley's contract to make room for him to platoon with Guyer in 2018. It makes no sense to start a guys MLB clock when he isn't even going to play. He bats from the left side and it seems they will platoon him his first couple seasons just like they are planning on doing with Naquin.

 

[Huber.]

Well the Rookie of the year candidate last season has had a .400+ spring and Jackson has looked pretty good since he has come back. They are not moving Zimmer up just cause this season. So unless one of the major guys, Brantley, Chisenhall, Naquin, are out for an extended amount of time then we won't see Zimmer before September. We aren't seeing Zimmer unless he gets everyday at bats and I don't see where he would this season in the OF if Brantley keeps up how he is looking this spring. To me they have no reason to add Zimmer to the 40 man roster before he needs to be protected. Also we still have to see what they are doing with Almonte since if they are keeping Jackson, he is the odd man out likely since he has options and will start in the minors. They will use Almonte before Zimmer to be sincere.

Now he will be added next season to the 40 man roster, and I think we will trade Chisenhall/not renew Brantley's contract to make room for him to platoon with Guyer in 2018. It makes no sense to start a guys MLB clock when he isn't even going to play. He bats from the left side and it seems they will platoon him his first couple seasons just like they are planning on doing with Naquin.

Do players need to be on the 40 man roster to be called up in September?

 

[sportscoach]

Do players need to be on the 40 man roster to be called up in September?

Yes they have to be on the 40 man roster to be a September call up. Also a team in September can use the whole 40 man roster as well hence why many prospects get their first major league at bats in September and normally calling them up then up since it doesn't really have much effect on their MLB clock. Also adding a guy to the 40 man roster in September won't use up an option since he stays up for the rest of the season.

 

[AZ_]

Well the Rookie of the year candidate last season has had a .400+ spring and Jackson has looked pretty good since he has come back. They are not moving Zimmer up just cause this season. So unless one of the major guys, Brantley, Chisenhall, Naquin, are out for an extended amount of time then we won't see Zimmer before September. We aren't seeing Zimmer unless he gets everyday at bats and I don't see where he would this season in the OF if Brantley keeps up how he is looking this spring. To me they have no reason to add Zimmer to the 40 man roster before he needs to be protected. Also we still have to see what they are doing with Almonte since if they are keeping Jackson, he is the odd man out likely since he has options and will start in the minors. They will use Almonte before Zimmer to be sincere.

Now he will be added next season to the 40 man roster, and I think we will trade Chisenhall/not renew Brantley's contract to make room for him to platoon with Guyer in 2018. It makes no sense to start a guys MLB clock when he isn't even going to play. He bats from the left side and it seems they will platoon him his first couple seasons just like they are planning on doing with Naquin.

Chisenhall has an 88 OPS+ since 2014 ended.

Naquin regressed down the stretch and has some obvious holes in his swing that will continually plague him if not addressed.

Austin Jackson is a journeyman.

That is not what I, or any other contending team, would consider set.


The roster spot is never going to be a problem, because it never is. So Zimmer is likely next in line if one of those question marks in the outfield does not meet expectations.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

the Rookie of the year candidate last season

What a prestigious honor

 

[sportscoach]

Chisenhall has an 88 OPS+ since 2014 ended.

Naquin regressed down the stretch and has some obvious holes in his swing that will continually plague him if not addressed.

Austin Jackson is a journeyman.

That is not what I, or any other contending team, would consider set.


The roster spot is never going to be a problem, because it never is. So Zimmer is likely next in line if one of those question marks in the outfield does not meet expectations.

I just do not see them going with a rookie this season. Also Jackson is a platoon guy for this roster and is going to platoon with Naquin/Chisenhall just like Guyer is. Zimmer being left handed will only replace Brantley/Chisenhall/Naquin on the roster. Even when he is up, it will be up platooning with someone so unless one of our left handed hitting OFs is batting below the .200 line coming into the All-star break/is out for the season, Zimmer is not going to be on this team. Platoon wise neither Naquin nor Chisenhall will be ineffective.

I am not saying it is impossible for Zimmer to be up, just certain things like I have mentioned will dictate if he ever comes up to the pros this season. He isn't being added to the roster unless he is getting everyday at bats against RH pitchers. Jackson has no effect on whether or not he is up. He just effects Almonte's status as a bench person. If Zimmer is up, he is starting and right now there is no spot to start at and unless the guys are doing extremely bad, he's in the minors for one more season.

 

[AZ_]

I just do not see them going with a rookie this season.

Stopped here...

 

[sportscoach]

Stopped here...

Meaning a rookie over all the OFs they currently have on the roster.

I would put good money down on Zimmer not playing in a major league ball game Chisenhall, Naquin and Brantley are healthy. There is no spot on the roster for him otherwise.