Sure, the Cleveland Indians season is only three games old and there are a whopping 159 games left to be played.
That being said, many fans began to worry after the Tribe dropped the first two games to the Detroit Tigers.
However, all is right now after the Indians bats experienced their own Easter Sunday resurrection in a 9-3 victory.
Though he silenced a lot of folks’ concerns after hitting a home run on Sunday, questions still remain as to how Franmil Reyes will perform in 2021.
Here is what Indians fans can expect from their beloved designated hitter in 2021.
Pencil Reyes in for 25 Bombs
Opposite field power looks easy when you're Franmil Reyes. 💪#TribeSpring pic.twitter.com/JDUmSDAwFh
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) February 28, 2020
The 25-year old has tremendous power to all fields which is evidenced by his 63 career homers.
Despite Reyes’ slow start (only hitting .182), the smart money says that he will finish 2021 with at least 25 home runs.
Heck, 25 homers may be a bit of a low number prediction as Reyes smacked 37 jacks back in 2019.
Let us not forget that Reyes had a phenomenal spring by hitting four homers and batting at a respectable .292 clip.
Not only is Reyes young, but at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds he possesses a bodybuilder-like physique.
Reyes has the uncanny ability to get jammed, break his bat, and still get the ball to go over the fence.
That type of raw power simply cannot be taught or even explained.
Reyes Will Strike-Out Often
Like most power hitters of this era, Reyes either hits big or he misses big.
In fact, the Dominican Republic native has already struck out 307 times in his big league career.
Reyes’ 162-game average for strikeouts is 166.
However, a high number of strikeouts is definitely normal for a power hitter in this day and time.
Fans should not be concerned with Reyes’ high number of strikeouts because his pure power numbers will make up for it.
Modern day baseball thinking is “give us a 30 homer-a-year guy and we don’t care if he strikes out 100 times”.
Reyes Will Thrive in the Middle of the Lineup
The world needs so much more Franmil Reyes pic.twitter.com/xk2dK8XaFZ
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) February 25, 2021
A great deal of pressure has been taken off of Reyes since the Tribe signed Eddie Rosario.
Rosario will bat fourth behind Jose Ramirez.
We expect Reyes to hit in the 5-hole in the lineup behind Rosario.
Josh Naylor should continue to fully develop and bat sixth.
That should mean that Reyes will get good pitches to hit.
Reyes is almost the ideal American League designated hitter that will probably average 30 homers, drive in 80, and score 70 times each year.
The Tribe will be more than happy with that type of offensive output from Reyes in 2021.
Hopefully, Reyes’ homer on Sunday is a sign that he is seeing the ball well.
If that is the case, the Tribe may be able to sweep the Kansas City Royals.
The Indians host the Royals for a short, two game series starting Monday afternoon.
In fact, both games against the Royals are in the afternoon so find an excuse to “work from home” those days.
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