Indians general manager Chris Antonetti has claimed that preventing premier shortstop prospect Francisco Lindor from reaching Super Two status is not why he has yet to be promoted from Triple-A Columbus, per the Northeast Ohio Media Group.
The struggling Indians are struggling partly because current shortstop Jose Ramirez has been weaker defensively than expected and a disaster offensively. He has three extra-base hits all year and owns a slash line of .179/.222/.238.
The 21-year-old Lindor, however, has not been tearing it up for the Clippers. He has started slow at every level and the same has held true in 2015. He does have a six-game hitting streak, but that has served to raise his average to just .256.
The Indians have claimed that Lindor needs more seasoning in the minors.