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MLB power rankings: Best player on each team

By Brad Berreman

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Indians: SS Francisco Lindor

After finishing runner-up for American League Rookie of the Year in 2015, while playing just 99 games, Lindor became an All-Star in his first full big league season last year. He contributes across the board offensively (.301, 15 home runs, 78 RBI, 99 runs scored and 19 stolen bases last season), and a Gold Glove in 2016 surely won’t be Lindor’s last. It’s worth nothing, as a matter of the fundamentals parts of baseball, that Lindor led the American League in sacrifice bunts in 2015 (13) and sacrifice flies in 2016 (15).

The Indians are deep with talent, as shown by their run to the World Series last year, so it’s hard to showcase one player as clearly the best of the bunch for manager Terry Francona. But Lindor has locked down an important position on the diamond right away upon his arrival, and he is in line to do so for Cleveland indefinitely into the future.

Lindor has kept the positivity going early this season, with a .362/.436/.702 slash-line, four home runs, eight RBI and 11 runs scored entering Monday’s games. At 23 years old, a star has obviously  been born.

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