The Cleveland Indians infield consists of switch-hitters at first base, second base, third base, and shortstop positions.
As many know, I am a huge fan of switch-hitters. Always have been, always will be. There is just something about a hitter always having an advantage of sorts when it comes to whoever he is facing on the mound. Especially in a game when a player needs to take every advantage they can get (within the rules of the game obviously). The Cleveland Indians have four switch-hitters in their infield and it could be a very entertaining group to watch once the season begins.
Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Carlos Santana, and Cesar Hernandez are all able to hit from both sides of the plate. Each Indians infielder is better from a power perspective on one side and better in the average department on the other. That is usually how it goes with switch-hitters, being proficient in one aspect of hitting over the other. Some trade-offs are more drastic (Santana), while others are closer in comparison (Lindor, Ramirez).
The switch-hitting fun does not just stop with Lindor, Ramirez, Santana, and Hernandez. There are two other switch-hitters on the roster. Sandy Leon and Greg Allen. The possibility exists that Cleveland could very well trot out six switch-hitters on a given day. This would cause headaches for the opposing manager. With the new three-batter minimum rule, it causes problems when it comes time to make a switch on the mound. Sprinkling in a few switch hitters in the bottom of the lineup will prevent the opponent from going to lefty or righty specialist type. They will need to consider all of the options available to them. They are now longer able to go with someone who would have been good for one to two batters in the past.
With question marks in regards to some parts of their roster, Cleveland needs every advantage they can get. This apparently includes utilizing four switch-hitters on an every day basis. The fact that their switch-hitting infielders are actually good at the plate just makes things that much more entertaining. When the season actually begins this will be a fun group to watch.
