Jake Bauers was acquired by the Indians in a three-team deal that saw Cleveland sent out Edwin Encarnacion and Yandy Diaz and get Bauers and Carlos Santana.
Indians fans saw this as another annoying deal – the Tribe’s big cleanup hitter, Encarnacion, and a very promising young hitter who has shown he can hit above .300 consistently, Diaz, in return for Carlos Santana, who is quite possibly worse than both, and Jake Bauers, who fans quickly dismissed as another minor league outfielder who can’t help the team now.
Truth is, Bauers is only 23 and can do a lot more to help this club than people give him credit for. We’re here to clear up three misconceptions on Bauers, and prove that he can be a huge part of the Tribe defense – and offense – in 2019.
1. Jake Bauers is another outfielder
Not the biggest misconception but a common one. Jake Bauers is not a true outfielder, although he can and has played left field. His true position is at first base, where we can expect him to start for the Indians. And he’s not just any first baseman – he’s an excellent defensive one. The stats show it, but you can tell it just by watching him. He should prove to be a huge upgrade defensively over Yonder Alonso at first.
Him being a first baseman actually fits better with the Tribe’s current roster than an outfielder. That gives the Indians an infield of Ramirez, Lindor, Kipnis, and Bauers, with Santana being able to play first but primarily starting at DH. Save for Kipnis, that’s an top defensive infield.
2. He’s just another fringe major leaguer/prospect
Don’t just group Jake Bauers into the category of guys like Jordan Luplow, now. While you may still be able to call hm a “prospect” at 23 years old, he’s already got the talent to be a big part of a major league team.
We mentioned his defense – excellent. Offense? May not seem like he’s any good, but don’t let the numbers fool you. But that’s for the next section. The point is, Bauers is much, much more than a Jordan Luplow or a Max Moroff (acquired in one of the Tribe’s many trades). He’s a proven major league player with potential to be a star. I’ll bet that he’ll be the biggest name in that trade in, say, 2 or 3 years.
3. He can’t hit!
Maybe the most common misconception. Sure, on the surface, Jake Bauers did not have a good offensive rookie year. He put up a .201 bating average with 11 home runs and 48 RBI in 96 games. But let’s go deeper.
Bauers started the year very strong – through 35 games, he put up a .264 average with 5 homers and 18 RBI. But then, like most all MLB rookies, he hit a “rookie wall” and closed out the year batting .162. This is perfectly normal and expected. MLB rookies typically will come in and play at a high level, before falling into a little slump. This “rookie wall” isn’t going to carry over. If Bauers is like any other rookie, he could be back to a .250, 20 home run kind of guy by the beginning of next year – at only 23 years old.
He has potential to be a power hitter and that’s why I have him batting fifth – behind Carlos Santana – in my recent lineup prediction. I think he can be a big bat in the middle of the Tribe lineup this coming year, and if there’s anything I’m certain of, it’s that he won’t hit anywhere near as bad as .201.
