With the conclusion of the 2019 Major League Baseball regular season, there are some teams that look towards the future and seek improvement for continued success. The Cleveland Indians fall into that category. Finishing with a 93-69 record, the franchise looks forward to replicating the accomplishments of 2019 into 2020. With that in mind, the talented arms of the organization will certainly be a main component, and a major reason, for that deisred sustainability.
The pitching rotation in Cleveland is highly talented, headlined by names such as Mike Clevinger and Corey Kluber. However, the underlying depth beyond these All-Star caliber arms is extraordinary. Analytically, they each had great seasons, and will continue to develop into elite pitchers:
Shane Bieber: Bieber, in his second year of starting, was an All-Star in 2019 and won the game's M.V.P. award. He posted an E.R.A. of 3.28 with 259 strikeouts. In comparison to the entirety of Major League Baseball, Bieber ranked tenth in SO/9 (10.9) and sixth in BB/9 (1.68). Relying on a four-seam (45.1% usage) and slider (27.5% usage) mix, he has quickly asserted himself as one of the best young pitchers in the American League.
Zach Plesac: Plesac, from June to September, was highly consistent. His strikeout to walk ratio starting in June was 2.31, 1.36 in July, 2.88 in August, and 2.57 in September. His WHIPs were also consistent in the same time frame, posting a 1.14 WHIP in June, a 1.23 WHIP in July, a 1.37 WHIP in August, and a 1.29 WHIP in September. Averaging aroung five to six sinnings per start in 2019, he will look to be an anchor for the rotation in 2020.
Aaron Civale: In the month of August, one could make the case that Aaron Civale was one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball. His FIP of 2.46 and walks per nine of 0.88 was sixth and fourth best in the month respectfully. He also was one of the best pitchers in limiting home runs in August, posting the best HR/FB rate (3.0%) and the fourth best HR/9 (0.29). Although he pitched 54.1 innings in 2019, Civale managed to be one of the best in terms of generating spin on multiple pitches. Amongst right handers that through at least 750 pitches, he ranked ninth in curveball spin rate (2,930 rpm) and eleventh in cutter spin (2,624 rpm).
With this talent and depth in the rotation, coupled with the experience of other pitchers, the Cleveland Indians pitching staff will be one of the best in Major League Baseball in the 2020 season.
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