The Cleveland Indians haven't had a losing season since 2012. They've won their division the past two seasons. They are by definition a very good team. So it makes sense they have a lot of Fantasy assets. That doesn't mean we have to agree on what those assets are worth. 

We can all agree that Corey Kluber, Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor are early round picks. There doesn't seem to be much dispute about Edwin Encarnacion and Carlos Carrasco either. After that, there is almost no consensus. 

Former top-25 prospect Bradley Zimmer still has huge upside. Former Fantasy standouts Michael Brantley and Jason Kipnis have both bounce-back and bust potential. You could make an argument for three different pitchers to join Kluber and Carrasco as top-30 starting pitchers. But they also may not even make the rotation. There's plenty to talk about with this roster. 

Indians in my Top 300
Player NameRoto RankH2H RankRoto Pos RankH2H Pos Rank
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Corey Kluber CLE SP
#12 #10 #3 #3
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Jose Ramirez CLE 3B
#16 #24 #3 #4
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Francisco Lindor CLE SS
#27 #22 #3 #3
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Edwin Encarnacion CLE DH
#36 #35 #8 #6
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Carlos Carrasco CLE SP
#41 #28 #8 #7
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Bradley Zimmer CLE CF
#90 #186 #26 #44
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Michael Brantley CLE LF
#141 #160 #41 #39
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Cody Allen CLE RP
#128 #103 #10 #10
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Andrew Miller CLE RP
#196 #269 #16 #32
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Francisco Mejia CLE C
#203 NR #18 #19
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Danny Salazar CLE SP
#214 #166 #41 #45
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Mike Clevinger CLE SP
#215 #169 #42 #46
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Trevor Bauer CLE SP
#233 #165 #48 #44
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Jason Kipnis CLE 2B
#289 #189 #26 #20


Players in Scott's Top 100 Prospects
1
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Francisco Mejia Cleveland Indians C
Mejia followed up a 2016 that included a 50-game hitting streak with a .348 batting average in his first 52 games, but then he slumped to .228 over his final 40. Between that and some fears that he may wind up at third base, where he played some this winter, he's down a couple spots from my midseason top 25. Scott's 2018 Fantasy impact: midseason hopeful
2
Triston McKenzie Cleveland Indians SP
Minor-league stats: 3.46 ERA, 1.05 WHIP (143 IP), 11.7 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 If you think last year's numbers are good, check out the 1.62 ERA McKenzie compiled between two levels of A-ball in 2016. He'd be getting more credit for it if his fastball didn't sit in the low 90s, but the 20-year-old is listed at 6-feet-5, 165 pounds. Just imagine when he fills out. Scott's 2018 Fantasy impact: don't count on it

Prospect notes from Scott White

Things to Know

  • The Indians rotation battle is one of the most interesting to watch in baseball this spring. I have both Salazar and Clevinger ranked as if they'll win the job but more because they have a lot more upside than someone like Josh Tomlin. If either Salazar or Clevinger throw 180 innings this year they could be a top 30 starting pitcher. Then again, either could end up in the bullpen. 
  • Don't underestimate Andrew Miller's value in Roto leagues. Miller will help greatly in WHIP and ERA while also giving close to a half dozen wins, a few saves and 100 Ks. With the lack of depth at starting pitcher, I'd treat him more like a No. 4 or No. 5 starter in Roto leagues than a set-up man.
  • Bradley Zimmer stole 18 bases in 101 games last year. He averaged 41 per year in his last two full minor league campaigns. If his plate discipline improves just a little and he stays healthy, it's easy to see the breakout potential, especially in Roto.

Lineup & Rotation

Batting order    
                
1 Francisco Lindor SS
2 Jason Kipnis 2B
3 Jose Ramirez 3B
4 Edwin Encarnacion DH
5 Michael Brantley LF
6 Yonder Alonso 1B
7 Lonnie Chisenhall RF
8 Roberto Perez  C
9 Bradley Zimmer CF
Pitchers                             
SP Corey Kluber
SP Carlos Carrasco
SP Trevor Bauer
SP Danny Salazar
SP Mike Clevinger
CL Cody Allen
RP Andrew Miller
RP Josh Tomlin