• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

2 Indians Players Who Could Have Breakout Seasons In 2021

By Mike Noblin December 30, 2020 @MikeNoblin

Cleveland Indians center fielder Oscar Mercado (35) motions towards the Indians dugout as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on September 17, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

 

All-world First Baseman Carlos Santana left for Kansas City and Francisco Lindor will probably soon be traded.

However, the future still looks bright for the Cleveland Indians due to the loads of hot young prospects they possess.

It is no secret that Cleveland is starved for better offensive production from their outfielders.

Here are two under the radar young outfielders that could have breakout seasons for the Tribe in 2021.

1. Center Fielder Oscar Mercado

Tribe Center Fielder Oscar Mercado had a disappointing 2020 season.

Mercado had a very respectable 2019 campaign with 15 homers and 15 stolen bases.

However, Mercado only hit 1 dinger and played in only 36 games in the virus-shortened 2020 season.

First home run of the season for Oscar Mercado!@Indians tie this game up at 2-2 in the 5th. pic.twitter.com/eCda0BsS1H

— FOX Sports Cleveland (@FOXSportsCLE) September 17, 2020

Mercado’s lack of production in 2020 is not a cause for concern.

Mercado is still armed with the rare combination of speed and power that could really help the Indians this upcoming season.

Most scouts and other baseball purists expect Mercado to at least be back to producing double-digit home runs and stolen bases in 2021.

The Tribe’s front office would love to see Mercado have a big league season that equaled his best year of minor league ball in 2017.

Mercado had an amazing 2017 season in Double-A where he hit 13 home runs and swiped 38 bags.

Mercado could also be given a shot at hitting leadoff for the Tribe due to his lightening quick speed and smart baserunning ability.

 

2. Right Fielder Josh Naylor

Cleveland Indians Right Fielder Josh Naylor could also have a breakout season in 2021.

Like Mercado, Naylor had a disappointing 2020 campaign, as he hit only one homer and played in only 40 games.

Despite last season’s frustration, Naylor is still only 23 years old and a former first round draft choice of the Miami Marlins.

Josh Naylor is scorching hot. #Postseason pic.twitter.com/9SFeKX1LAz

— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2020

Naylor is a muscled-up 250 pounds and has shown big-time flashes of power in both Double-A and Triple-A.

With some more experience, Naylor could be hitting at least twenty home runs a year which would help this anemic offense tremendously.

 

Possible Stumbling Blocks for Both Naylor and Mercado

Here are a few possible road blocks that both players may face:

Do NOT underestimate the resurgence of former Tribe first round draft choice Bradley Zimmer.

Zimmer has been dogged the last couple of seasons by a nagging right shoulder injury.

However, Zimmer appears to finally be fully healthy and ready to compete for a starting job in the Tribe’s outfield.

If Zimmer wins a starting role, then either Mercado or Naylor could be regulated to pinch hitting duty and only getting a few spot starts during the season.

Mercado and Naylor are both loaded with potential.

However, to quote former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, “Potential just means you haven’t done anything”.

The key question for both players remains the same:  Can they turn potential into production?

A Final Word

Will the Cleveland Indians finally get more production from their outfield in 2021?

Will any of the Tribe’s young players step up and break through with some desperately needed offensive firepower?

Both Oscar Mercado and Josh Naylor will have the opportunity to both have breakout seasons for the Tribe this season.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily), Cleveland Indians News And Rumors (Updated Daily) Tagged With: cleveland indians

About Mike Noblin

I've been involved with sports for over 30 years (Collegiate Baseball Player, Life-long Sports Fan, 20+ years of Sports Betting).

My love of the Indians started when I was 12 years old with the 1995 AL Champion team. (Who didn't love Albert Belle and Kenny Lofton?)

I have always had a deep love for writing and my degree is in Sports Psychology!

I love Jesus, my Family, and all things Sports!

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Cleveland Indians News

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) in the dugout after scoring on a Yasiel Puig (66) single in the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.

Who Will Replace Francisco Lindor At Shortstop For The Indians?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan addresses the crowd prior to the Opening Day Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians on April 11, 2017, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Chicago 2-1 in ten innings.

Should Paul Dolan Sell The Cleveland Indians?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) singles to drive in a run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 21, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Carlos Santana, Kansas City Royals Reach 2-Year Deal

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 20, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Report: Indians To 'Aggressively' Listen To Offers For Francisco Lindor

2 years ago

A general view of Progressive Field during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on July 19, 2020, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Draft Trevor Stephan In Rule 5 Draft

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians on August 7, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Shane Bieber, Jose Ramirez, Brad Hand Named To All-MLB team

2 years ago

A general view of the Progressive Field scoreboard during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus

Cleveland Indians Top 3 Prospects Of 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) delivers a pitch to the plate during the ninth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians on August 4, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Top 3 Cornerstone Cleveland Indians Players Of The Future

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians pitcher Jefry Rodriguez (68) delivers a pitch to the plate during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians on May 22, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Parts Ways With Pitcher Jefry Rodriguez

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.

2 Prospects The Indians Must Get From Mets In Lindor Trade

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians left fielder Jordan Luplow (8) is congratulated by Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez (55) after scoring a run during the third inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on July 16, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Indians Players With Something To Prove In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (77) looks to the dugout as he makes a pitching change after Cleveland Indians pitcher Hunter Wood (54) hit by a ball off the bat of Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians on August 12, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Is It Time For The Indians To Begin Rebuilding For The Future?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado (35) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians on September 15, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Bold Predictions For The Cleveland Indians In 2021

2 years ago

indians logo

3 Indians Players To Watch During Spring Training

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch during the MLB baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins on September 11, 2020 at Target Field, Minneapolis, MN.

Shane Bieber Contract: What A New Deal Might Look Like

2 years ago

A Realistic 2021 Plan For Indians Prospect Nolan Jones

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Francisco Lindor (12) hits a solo home run during a Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals on July 27, 2019, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.

Grading The Cleveland Indians Francisco Lindor Trade

2 years ago

cleveland indians fireworks

3 Reasons To Believe In The Indians In 2021

2 years ago

progressive field

A Look At The Top 3 Indians Prospects In Their System

2 years ago

indians logo

Cleveland Indians Sign Billy Hamilton And Ben Gamel

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) before an MLB game between the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals on September 1, 2020 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

3 Trade Possibilities If The Indians Deal Jose Ramirez

2 years ago

Mitch Moreland (18) of the Red Sox waits on deck during the MLB regular season game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 21, 2019, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.

Should The Indians Pursue Mitch Moreland In 2021?

2 years ago

Indians flag

3 Potential Free Agent Targets For The Indians

2 years ago

Phillies RP Blake Parker (53) pitches in the fifth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on August 30, 2020 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.

Reliever Blake Parker Gets Chance With Indians In 2021

2 years ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.