Fansided

Best MLB player on each team in 2019

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Francisco Lindor
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 26: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 26, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Indians: Francisco Lindor

The Cleveland Indians are one of the most interesting contenders in baseball. Ownership and the front office seems content to ride out each regular season in the watered-down AL Central knowing the team can sleepwalk its way to a division title. From there, the hope is that the star-studded rotation can pitch its way to a World Series. It almost worked in 2016 despite the very obvious holes at key positions on the roster.

The Indians will win a title on the backs of Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Carlos Carrasco, but shortstop Francisco Lindor is their best overall player. The 25-year-old’s career is off to an incredible start, and his stock is ascending sharply. After hitting only 27 home runs in his first 257 MLB games, Lindor has socked 71 over the past two seasons with a .275/.345/.512 line. He also plays highlight-reel defense and has a Gold Glove.

Cleveland has been cheap in crafting its roster during this championship window, but they’ll need to start planning for an extension for Lindor. He is the type of star a small-market team like the Indians has to try desperately to keep. The Orioles never really tried with Manny Machado, and are left with a gutted roster and a five-year rebuild.

Lindor is one of the most electric young stars in baseball with the personality to shine as a face of the sport. He is great in every aspect of the game and has also produced in the postseason when it has mattered most. Lindor is the best player on the Indians, and he might just be the best shortstop in the entire league.

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