The Cleveland Indian’s don’t have a lot to be excited about this season. But they do have Shane Bieber, and that is something.
This season he is 2-1 with a 3.16 ERA/1.03 WHIP. Over 37 innings he has only allowed 26 walks while striking out 42. He is arguably one of the best young pitchers in baseball and looked like he could be a legitimate ace.
Its fun to remember that when Bieber was drafted back in 2016 (4th round of UC Santa Barbara), nobody expected him to be this good. Heck, he was not even considered the best pitching in that UCSB rotation; that was Dillion Tate, who ended up going 4th overall to the Yankees.
With Bieber, scouts projected him more of a dependable back of the rotation starter. He was aggressive and had a good feel for pitching, but his stuff just did not profile as an ace. But after turning pro his stuff just blossomed, and the Indians look like they found something special.