The new look Cleveland Indians sit just two-and-a-half games out of first place of the AL Central after one month of baseball. The Tribe has a four game winning streak and the fans are excited about the direction the team is going. But, why are the Indians on this recent tear? The answer on offense is Ryan Raburn.
Who?
The 32 year old signed a minor league deal with the Indians just four months ago and was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee. After bouncing up and down through the Detroit Tigers organization, the Tribe’s veteran utility man, who can play just about anywhere, looks like he doesn’t mind his new home.
During Cleveland’s winning streak, Raburn is putting up a softball type batting average. His numbers are actually very ridiculous going 10 for his last 13 with an .846 batting average. Raburn has had two multi-home run games and now has four on the season to go along with 10 RBI’s. This is the best streak of his career.
Is this the same Raburn was hitting a measly .146 before being sent down to the Toledo Mud Hens last year? The season is very young, but what a turn around. But, let’s not get too excited. Before this streak started, Rayburn was hitting .214 with no home runs and just one RBI.
As far as a three game swing, it has been a long time that we have seen a hitter this hot on the Indians. The irony is that if starting center fielder and lead off hitter, Michael Bourne is not injured, Rayburn is not on the field.
The Tribe continues their home stand against the Minnesota Twins tomorrow and Raburn will try to continue assaulting the baseball.
Ryan Ruiz is the Cleveland Sports Beat Writer for The Inscriber. You can follow him on Twitter @ryanpruiz24 and Facebook.