It took the final game in a best of five set for the Columbus Clippers to dispose of the Indianapolis Indians and advance to the class Triple-A championship game on September 22 at Southwest University Park in El Paso, TX. The International League winners last played in a class title game in 2011 when they defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers 8-3. The latest one gives them three IL titles in the last six seasons. A victory on September 22 would give them as many class titles as well.
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24-year-old right-hander Mike Clevinger is ranked as the Cleveland Indians’ No. 15 prospect at the moment. By the time 2016’s preseason rolls around, he should see himself shooting up that list into the top 10, if not top five.
Clevinger has started two games for Columbus in Triple-A’s postseason. His accumulative line: Two wins in 15.1 innings pitched with zero runs allowed and 17 strikeouts.
After beginning the 2015 season in Double-A with the Akron RubberDucks with a nice enough line going 9-8 with a 2.73 ERA across 26 starts and a K/9 of 8.3, Columbus called him up for their playoff quest and Clevinger has not disappointed one bit. His outing in the deciding contest versus Indianapolis saw him pitch 7.2 innings of no-run ball, walking one while punching out seven.
All three of the Clippers’ victories in the International League championship series were fueled by near quality starts from the mound. Before Clevinger delivered his over-powering performance on Saturday evening, it was Ryan Merritt in game one allowing four runs over 6.1 innings of work. In game two, the Clippers escaped with a 5-4 win after Toru Murata delivered six innings of one run ball.
Murata, a Japanese-born pitcher signed as an international free agent in 2010 by the Cleveland Indians, is now 30 years old. The clock is ticking on his window to make an impact at the big league level.
Such is not the case with Clevinger. Cleveland should return most of its rotation in 2015 barring offseason moves or injuries. Corey Kluber will return as the ace and can be signed through 2021 with options. Trevor Bauer took some steps forward in 2015 compared to his 2014 showing, but regressed in other facets of the game. He will likely battle for a rotation spot again, with Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco rounding things out. The No. 5 spot could be up in the air, but Clevinger should have his sights set on it in Spring Training.
Over in the Pacific Coast League, the championship series will also require a fifth and deciding game to be played. The Fresno Grizzlies evened the series at two game apiece Saturday night with a 2-1 win over Round Rock. Game five goes this afternoon with an opening pitch scheduled for 1:05 pm PST in Fresno.