Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase has started off the 2021 season in grand fashion.
In fact, Clase is now tied for the American League lead in total saves with four.
Terry Francona and the entire Tribe coaching staff have been thrilled with Clase’s development and they expect him to only get better.
Can Clase continue his hot start and become one of the best closers in Major League Baseball?
Clase Has Elite Stuff
Emmanuel Clase, Stupid 100mph Cutter. 🥴 pic.twitter.com/8W347qXQjq
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 15, 2021
Clase has always had electric stuff that baffles most hitters.
Heck, Clase was striking out pro hitters in the minor leagues when he was only 17 years old.
He consistently hits the radar gun in the upper nineties like most top level closers.
However, what makes Clase so unhittable is the fact that he can hit over 100 miles an hour with a cutter.
Also, do not forget about Clase’s knee-buckling slider, which regularly clocks in at around 92 miles an hour.
Imagine how terrified opposing hitters are when they realize that Clase can throw that hard with sick movement.
The Tribe had to give up Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers in order to acquire Clase back in December of 2019.
Though losing Kluber was painful for Indians fans, Clase has been a beautiful surprise for the Cleveland bullpen.
If the Indians offense can start performing better and get more leads, Clase should continue to be amongst the league leaders in saves.
The Dominican Republic native has yet to give up an earned run this season after pitching in eight games for the Tribe.
What Could Get in the Way?
lmao Emmanuel Clase’s cutter is just absurd pic.twitter.com/LqjTgDu6nu
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) April 18, 2021
With unbelievable stuff, what could possibly get in Clase’s way this season?
Though Clase’s performances have been dynamic so far this season, Indians fans still have a few concerns.
One, Clase is still a young 23-year-old and it can take awhile for young players to go from ‘thrower’ to ‘pitcher’.
Flame-throwing pitchers sometimes struggle with control so hopefully that does not happen to Clase.
Also, as painful as it is to talk about, we must remember that Clase was suspended for using a performance enhancing drug last season.
Hopefully Clase learned his lesson and now realizes that his natural ability will bring him loads of major league success.
The other elephant in the room that may hurt Clase is the Tribe’s inept offense.
We all know that closers normally only pitch if their team has the lead going into the ninth inning.
Yes, it is early and no, the sky in not falling.
The Indians have an 8-8 record and are only one game out of first place in the AL Central.
However, the Tribe’s putrid .209 batting average is a definite cause for concern as that number almost ranks dead last in the American League.
All Indians fans hope and pray that the offense will wake up and the bats will show signs of life soon.
The team and Clase’s success this season depends upon it.
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