:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46169534/GettyImages-451230454.0.jpg)
Each week I select someone as the Indians' top player of the previous week. Then, because this is a dictatorship, but not a totalitarian one, I let you all have your say as well. Some weeks it's a no-brainer, while other weeks there are multiple guys with a strong case. (Occasionally there are weeks when no one has a strong case.) I think this is one of those weeks where there's an argument for a number of players, so I'm interested in seeing how the voting turns out.
Previous winners:
- April 6-12: Carlos Santana (my choice, and by a single vote, the voting winner)
The Indians had a dreadful week on offense, plating just 13 runs with a wRC+ of just 57. With apologies to Roberto Perez's team-leading 7 total bases, I'm only looking at pitchers this week.
The Candidates
Scott Atchison
Atchison only faced four batters, which gives you an idea of how weak this weak's options beyond the three below are. He retired all four of them, three of them on strikeouts. I was compelled to include Atchison when I saw his FIP for the week, which was -1.49. Yes, that's a negative number. Sadly, the Tribe could not apply those 1.49 runs per nine innings to their offense.
Trevor Bauer
Bauer made one start last week, and while he didn't pitch six innings of no-hit ball, the way he did in his first game this season, he did record 8 strikeouts in 6 innings, while allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. The walks are somewhat concerning, as they were a major issue last year, but he's kept the ball in the park so far, which is nice.
Corey Kluber
Ho-hum, just another 8 strikeouts in 8 innings, with only 2 runs allowed on 4 base runners for the reigning American Cy Young winner. Don't look now, but through three starts, Kluber has numbers even better than they were in 2014. Of course, he also doesn't have a single win, because his teammates don't believe in helping robots.
Danny Salazar
After one good Triple-A start, Salazar was called up for Saturday's game. All he did was strike out while allowing 2 runs in 6 innings. He allowed a home run, and walked a couple runners, but for the most part it was a very positive outing, reminding us that the Indians could have an excellent rotation.
The Verdict
Salazar coming up and pitching so well was the best story of the week for the Indians, but Kluber's game was the best performance. He's a pretty easy choice for me this week.
Congratulations, Klubot!