Cleveland Indians 2016 Fantasy Preview

Oct 4, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) swings in a game against the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field. Cleveland won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Indians 2016 Fantasy Preview

The Indians are seeing light at the end of the rebuilding tunnel. They have a bunch of intriguing young players that could make them an interesting team to watch.

Cleveland Indians 2016 Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Yan Gomes (.231, 12HR, 45RBI in 363 AB)
1B: Mike Napoli (.224, 18HR, 50RBI with BOS/TEX)
2B: Jason Kipnis (.303, 9HR, 52RBI, 12SB)
SS: Francisco Lindor (.313, 12HR, 51RBI, 12SB in 390 AB)
3B: Juan Uribe (.253, 14HR, 43RBI with LAD/ATL/NYM)
LF: Rajai Davis (.258, 8HR, 30RBI, 18SB in 341 AB)
CF: Tyler Naquin (.300, 7HR, 27RBI, 13SB in 327 minor league AB)
RF: Marlon Byrd (.247, 5HR, 23RBI wtih CIN/SF)
DH: Carlos Santana (.231, 19HR, 85RBI, 11SB)

Gomes has good power, but it comes with a hit to your batting average. That probably leaves him more to 12 team leagues or larger.

Napoli was not a great fit in Boston, but he hit .295 in 78 at bats in Texas with five home runs. There is a bit of cautious optimism here, but Napoli is 34. Can he actually do it over a full season?

Kipnis still has the potential to have a 20/20 season. He is being drafted on that alone. That said, don’t overpay for him. A 15/15 season is more likely. He definitely will help you out enough to start him in standard leagues. Just don’t pay for a 20/20 season when it likely wont happen.

Lindor dazzled in his first taste of the majors last year, and there is a lot more where that came from. He has a shot at a 20/20 season, and he proved that he can hit major league pitching. He is worth a pick in the sixth or seventh round.

Uribe will just keep the seat warm until Lonnie Chisenhall (.246, 7HR, 44RBI in 333 AB) gets back. He should be available fairly soon, though there is no official timetable for his return. Both Uribe and Chisenhall are best left for deep leagues.

Davis will provide some good speed at the top of the order. We all know he can run with the best of them. The question is if he can hit for a good enough average. Take a chance on him later in 12 team leagues. He may surprise you.

Naquin hit well in the minors, and he is worth taking near the end of 12 team leagues. Make sure you monitor him in standard leagues. There is a chance he could be a find.

Byrd is likely just taking up space until the return of Michael Brantley (.310, 15HR, 84RBI, 15SB). Brantley wont be out long, so don’t let him opening the season on the DL affect his draft stock. He still is a strong bet for another 15/15 season.

Santana has enough power to warrant playing him in standard leagues, but don’t overpay. He likely wont hit double digit steals again, and I don’t think his average will climb much more.

Next: How Will The Rotation Shape Up?

Sep 25, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Indians 2016 Projected Pitching Rotation:

Corey Kluber (9-16, 3.49 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 245K)
Carlos Carrasco (14-12, 3.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 216K)
Danny Salazar (14-10, 3.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 195K)
Cody Anderson (7-3, 3.05 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 44K in 91.1 IP)
Josh Tomlin (7-2, 3.02 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 57K in 65.2 IP)
Cody Allen (2-5, 2.99 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 99K in 69.1 IP, 34/38 saves)

Kluber had some hard luck last year. The offense isn’t a whole lot better yet, so it could hamper his win totals, but he is still a solid fantasy pitcher. He will flirt with 250 strikeouts and post good WHIP and ERA totals.

Carrasco is a solid two or three fantasy starter. His good WHIP and high strikeout totals suggest that he ERA could come down this year.

Salazar is a solid middle of the rotation starter. He came close to 200 strikeouts, and posted a good WHIP and ERA. You can be comfortable with him in the middle of your fantasy rotation.

Anderson sparkled last year. He will never be a high strikeout guy, but he gets outs. He is a solid pitcher to have at the back of your rotation.

Tomlin was also a breath of fresh air for the Indians late last year. He puts up solid strikeout numbers, and is worth taking as your fifth starter in your fantasy rotation.

Allen has shown the ability to get a lot of strikeouts, but the WHIP is a bit concerning for a closer That knocks him down into the second tier of closers.

Next: What Prospects Are Worth Watching?

Mar 13, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (73) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

We will take a look at a few prospects that could crack the majors for the Indians this year, and in what type of leagues you should be looking for them in. The Tribe have quite a few prospects, but most of them wont be up until next year. Will any make an impact this year? Let’s get started!

Mike Clevinger, RHP: Clevinger will likely need an injury to happen to get a shot in the majors. Cleveland’s rotation is their strong point. If Clevinger does get up to the majors, he could make an impact in leagues of 12 or more teams.

Erik Gonzalez, MI: Gonzalez is an impressive defender with good speed. He will need an injury or a trade of Jason Kipnis to be given a real look this year. If that happens, he is worth a look in deep leagues.

Yandy Diaz, 3B: Diaz has shown the discipline that made him a good Cuban prospect. He looks ready to make an impact in the majors soon, and we all know that Juan Uribe is not an immovable object. If Diaz terrorizes the minors, he could be up very soon. He is worth a look in leagues of 12 or more teams if he gets consistent playing time.

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