MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 20: Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during game one of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves at Progressive Field on April 20, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

16. Corey Kluber

A trade that involved Jake Westbrook and Ryan Ludwick as the biggest names at the deadline in 2010 netted the Cleveland Indians right-handed prospect Corey Kluber from the San Diego Padres. Kluber hardly looked like a future ace during his time in the Minor Leagues. Before making his MLB debut in 2011, he went 7-11 with a 5.56 ERA at Triple-A and then recorded a 2-5 record with a 5.35 ERA in his first 67.1 innings with the Indians.

Kluber was a fringe big-leaguer entering his age-27 season in 2013, and he didn’t even make the starting rotation out of spring for a team that had lost 94 games the previous year. The Indians somehow emerged to shock the world and won 92 games, with Kluber enjoying a breakthrough year. He went 11-5 with a 3.85 ERA in 24 starts.

The 2013 season was a solid effort for Kluber and the Indians, but it hardly pointed to the type of results to come. The right-hander came out of nowhere to win the 2014 Cy Young, leading the league with 18 wins and posting a 2.44 ERA with 269 strikeouts in 235.2 innings. Armed with a nasty sinker, slider, cutter combo, Kluber now has two Cy Youngs to his name.

Since cracking the big leagues permanently, Kluber has been one of baseball’s best workhorses. Over the past five seasons, he is 83-45 with a 2.85 ERA and has led the Major Leagues in complete games three times and shutouts twice. He has also been stellar in the playoffs, nearly delivering the 2016 World Series to Cleveland for the first time in over 60 years. All this for a pitcher who did not fully stick in the big leagues until after turning 27.

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