Two Tribe Pitchers Make Top Ten List

By: Jeremy Lawless

Buster Olney via ESPN+ released his top ten pitchers in Major League Baseball today. The Tribe joined the Nationals in having two pitchers make the list. There is no denying the quality and depth of the Starting pitching here in the CLE. Here are the notes from Buster’s list on the two Cleveland pitchers.

9. Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians

The Dodgers are among the teams that would love to make a deal for Clevinger, but who wouldn't want him? Back and ankle trouble cost Clevinger about two months of last season, yet he posted ridiculous production -- just 10 homers allowed in 126 innings at a time when the sport was saturated with homers, as well as 169 strikeouts. Other folks in the Indians organization believe Trevor Bauer helped Clevinger's development as a pitcher.

10. Shane Bieber, Indians

You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in the Indians organization who thought Bieber would become a star-level pitcher, but by all accounts, Bieber has the perfect plow-horse personality for his craft and has steadily improved. His MVP award at the All-Star Game was just one moment of excellence among many: Bieber had a staggering 259 strikeouts to only 40 walks, and he finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting. He's 25 years old.

There is no denying these two Ace’s impact for a Cleveland team that could be set up nicely in a shortened 60 game season. With Clevinger and Bieber at the top of the rotation followed by Carlos Carrasco, Jefry Rodriguez, Aaron Civale, Zac Plesac and Adam Plutko, the depth and talent overshadow the majority of MLB teams. Watch out Tribe Fans, this could be an exciting season regardless of number of games played.

Listen to the TribCast’s latest pod by clicking the “Listen Now” tab or following TribeCast-Listen.