| Patrick Daher. 9th March, 2009 - 4:55 pm
 The 2008 version of the Cleveland Indians was one filled with inconsistency, trades, and injuries. Notables such as C.C. Sabathia and Casey Blake were shipped out of Cleveland midseason in exchange for highly regarded prospects OF Matt LaPorta and C Carlos Santana. Key cogs that contributed to the 2007 ALCS run like Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona, Travis Hafner, and Victor Marinez were all sidelined for long periods of time due to ailments.
All of these factors led to a disappointing 81-81 season, a considerable step backwards from the 2007 season that ended with a 96-66 mark. However, the one thing that remained a constant was the production of the versatile Grady Sizemore.
Sizemore ended the season batting .268 with 33 homers, 38 stolen bases and 90 RBI’s, making him only one of two outfielders to steal 30, score 100 runs and crush double-digit home runs, with the other one being Phillies OF Shane Victorino.
In fact, Sizemore led all center fielders in homers, edging Josh Hamilton by one. Very few center fielders have the combined power and speed of “G-Size,” making him a unique asset for the Indians at the leadoff spot.
Sizemore, who also won a Gold Glove in 2008, has been nudging his game closer and closer to an MVP level for a few seasons now. In 2007, Sizemore posted an .852 OPS, with 24 homers, 33 stolen bases and 78 RBI’s. In 2006, he had a career high OPS of .908, with 28 homers, 22 stolen bases and 76 runs batted in. Finally, in 2005, Grady’s first full season in the big leagues, he hit for an .832 OPS, with 22 homers, 81 RBI’s and 22 stolen bases. Beyond the RBI totals, these numbers appear far more comparable to those of a class “3” or “4” hitter rather than a leadoff man.
With the rise in power production over the past few seasons, there has been much discussion as to if Sizemore is better suited to hit in the middle of the order. To start the 2009 season, the Indians intend to keep Grady in the leadoff spot and watch him compete for a Triple Crown.
His career OBP of .370 is respectable and his strikeouts from 2007 to 2008 fell of from 155 to 130. In addition, he finished 3rd in the American League in walks with 98 and created 131 runs, which was 1st in the AL. Also, he now has protection below him with the newly acquired Mark DeRosa and now healthy Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner.
At age 26, Sizemore’s 200 pound frame might force him to move to the middle of the order in the future. If that is the case, the Indians have a speedy OF prospect in Michael Brantley waiting in the wings. Brantley does not possess a lot of power, but is an ideal leadoff hitter who can bunt, hit for average, and swipe bases.
Whether he's batting first or third, the Indians have one of the best young players in the game in their lineup. |
