• 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

Who Should Start For The Indians In Center Field?

By Mike Noblin April 1, 2021 @MikeNoblin

Cleveland Indians left fielder Jordan Luplow (8) at bat during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates on August 19, 2020, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh PA.
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

 

The Cleveland Indians decided to option both Oscar Mercado and Bradley Zimmer to Triple-A to start the 2021 regular season.

After having an outstanding rookie year in 2019, Mercado had an awful case of the sophomore slumps in 2020.

Unfortunately, Mercado only hit .214 this spring so sending him down makes plenty of sense for the Tribe.

Zimmer did okay in the spring at the plate as he hit a respectable .290. However, the former first-round draft choice has not looked like himself since a brutal shoulder injury in 2018.

With the Indians sending these two centerfielders down to the Minors, who should start in center this season?

The Opening Day lineup came out and Jordan Luplow is getting the nod Thursday.

But what should be the plan for the entire season?

 

Option #3: Ben Gamel

Ben Gamel, ladies and gentlemen! 👏👏#CLESpring pic.twitter.com/haijHhJBKm

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) March 4, 2021

By all accounts, it appears as if journeyman Ben Gamel will get the most time in center to start the season.

Gamel has had a rough go of it at the plate this spring with a .179 batting average, so naming him the starter may raise some eyebrows amongst faithful fans in Cleveland.

However, Gamel is a fierce competitor and manager Terry Francona has raved about his reliability in any outfield spot.

Gamel does have a .986 lifetime fielding percentage in five big league seasons so he is definitely the more comfortable option from a defensive standpoint.

The 5-foot-11, 177-pounder must get back to his 2017 form when he hit 11 homers and batted .275 while with the Seattle Mariners.

 

Option #2: Amed Rosario

Amed Rosario walks it off ON THE ROAD at Yankee Stadium…because 2020. It’s the Mets first ever doubleheader sweep against the Yankees. What a huge day for this team.

pic.twitter.com/gbWPi6yX8d

— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) August 29, 2020

Amed Rosario has looked lost at times in center during spring training.

However, the Indians are desperate to get Rosario’s good bat and plus-speed into the lineup.

Rosario was beaten out for the starting shortstop job by his former Met teammate Andres Gimenez so the Tribe asked Rosario to give center a shot.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder may still see some time at short against left-handed pitching.

Rosario would be somewhat of a defensive liability in center, but the 25-year-old’s upside at the plate is much greater than Gamel’s.

The Dominican Republic native had a splendid 2019 for the Mets by hitting 15 bombs and swiping 19 bases.

If Rosario can get a little more comfortable in center, he may eventually overtake Gamel as the starter.

The best scenario may be starting Rosario for his bat but putting Gamel in for the late innings since he is the better defender.

 

Option #1: Jordan Luplow

JORDAN LUPLOW WALKS THE @INDIANS OFF AGAIN!!!!!!#OURTRIBE pic.twitter.com/0yWAGUEFkW

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) September 24, 2020

All Tribe fans know that Jordan Luplow had an awful spring.

The former third-round draft pick was injured early on and only got 16 at-bats in March.

It is a little surprising that the Indians decided to keep Luplow on the big league roster.

So of course, he is the Opening Day starter.

Luplow needs to see some more live pitching to feel more comfortable at the plate.

The main reason Francona decided to keep Luplow on the big league roster is because of his uncanny ability to hit lefties.

Luplow destroys left handers as he is hitting .309 with 15 dingers against them over the last two seasons.

The 27-year-old definitely has enough talent to permanently win the starting job in center at some point this season.

The only question with Luplow has always been about his inability to stay off the disabled list.

    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: Amed Rosario, Ben Gamel, cleveland indians, Jordan Luplow

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 Amed Rosario,Ben Gamel,cleveland Indians,Jordan Luplow News

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 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.

2 Indians Players Who Could Have Breakout Seasons In 2021

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 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

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

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) delivers a pitch to the plate during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians on June 9, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Should The Indians Attempt To Extend Shane Bieber?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians dugout

Cleveland Indians Projected 2021 Lineup (Updated)

2 years ago

Minnesota Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario (20) hits a homerun in the second inning of the MLB baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox on September 16, 2020 at Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, IL.

Indians Agree To 1-Year Deal With Eddie Rosario

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians second baseman Cesar Hernandez (7) grounds out during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates on August 19, 2020, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh PA.

3 Things To Know About Indians 2B Cesar Hernandez

2 years ago

Outside of Progressive Field

Where Will The Indians Finish In The 2021 AL Central Standings?

2 years ago

Minnesota Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario (20) hits a homerun in the second inning of the MLB baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox on September 16, 2020 at Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, IL.

3 Things To Know About Indians Outfielder Eddie Rosario

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Bryan Shaw (27) pitches during the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox on September 4, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Bryan Shaw Returning To Indians (A look At His Past)

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.