Cleveland Indians outfielder Jordan Luplow is finally 100 percent healthy.
The 27-year-old is off to a fantastic start to the 2021 season with four home runs and 10 runs driven in.
Baseball fans have never questioned the former third-round draft pick’s talent.
The main concern that has surrounded Luplow is whether he can avoid the injury bug.
Indians fans were definitely shocked to see Luplow as the starting center fielder on Opening Day, especially after going hitless in spring training and injuring his ankle.
However, Luplow’s hot hitting is one of the main reasons why the Indians are above .500 this season.
Can Luplow continue to put up good power numbers at the plate and become an All-Star selection for the first time?
JORDAN LUPLOW WALKS THE @INDIANS OFF AGAIN!!!!!!#OURTRIBE pic.twitter.com/0yWAGUEFkW
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) September 24, 2020
Luplow Has the Pop to be an All-Star
Jordan Luplow should've been an All-Star, and he's letting you know how he feels about the snub.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/SI0hDu8Aka
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) June 22, 2019
No, Luplow will not continue on his torrid pace of hitting a homer every eight plate appearances.
Eventually his power numbers will come back down to earth a bit.
However, there is still a good chance that Luplow could make the All-Star team if he can remain healthy.
When healthy, Luplow is one of the most skilled outfielders on the Indians roster.
Terry Francona and the entire Indians staff would love to see Luplow return to the 2019 version of himself.
During that banner year of ’19, Luplow swatted 15 bombs and scored 42 runs in only 85 games of action.
85 games is basically a little more than half of a regular season.
So, going by that mathematical logic Luplow definitely has 30-homer-a-year potential.
In fact, Luplow has played in 189 MLB games since making his big league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017.
He has 27 homers in 501 at-bats over his big league career.
With enough at-bats during the first half of the season, Luplow could possibly reach 15 or so homers before the All-Star break.
If the California native can achieve those numbers, he should get lots of consideration from All-Star voters.
What Could Get in His Way?
Obviously, injury is the biggest obstacle for Luplow.
All Indians fans hope and pray that Luplow’s bad ankle and tender back can stay healthy for a full season.
However, one bad stint on the injured list could wreck Luplow’s All-Star chances.
Another thing that could derail Luplow is Francona’s fascination with platooning.
The Tribe have already played 15 games this season.
Unfortunately for Luplow, he has only started 7 of those games.
If that pace continues, Luplow may not get enough at-bats to put up All-Star caliber numbers.
Francona loves to start Luplow against left-handed pitchers and that is understandable because of Luplow’s uncanny ability to destroy southpaws.
However, Luplow is only batting .182 so far this season against lefties and he is hitting a whopping .500 against righties.
Sure, the sample size is low and may not be that meaningful to Francona and company.
However, what could it hurt to let Luplow get a few more starts against righties?
After all, doesn’t it make sense to keep your hottest hitters in the lineup?
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