2015 Preseason All-American League Central Team

SP: Corey Kluber – CLE

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

How can you not go with the reigning Cy Young winner? While there are some pitchers who have more of a track record of prolonged success than Corey Kluber, like David Price and Chris Sale, Kluber was the best the AL had to offer in 2014, contested only by Felix Hernandez.

Going into the 2014 season Kluber was thought of as a trendy sleeper candidate. He burst out in a huge way by going 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA and taking home the American League Cy Young award. It’s safe to say that he exceeded expectations.

Kluber blew hitters away, evident by his 10.27 strikeout per nine innings rate, and the .233 opponents batting average against him. While many believe that King Felix should have won the Cy Young, it is extremely hard to say that Kluber did not deserve it.

Now the bona-fide ace of an improving Cleveland staff, Kluber will have to run the staff to lead the Indians back to the postseason, similarly to how Brantley must lead the offense. Kluber will have to continue to be an ace for the Indians to have a shot in the American League Central, but I think he is up for the challenge.