Cleveland Indians: Travis Hafner Is Back in Action

The Pronk we have been missing for the past three seasons is back in Cleveland.

Travis Hafner hasn’t batted over .278 in the last four years. In the season thus far, Hafner is hitting .354 and has a 1.053 OPS. In just 13 games,

Hafner already has four homers, nine RBI, two doubles, 17 hits and 11 runs.

Yes, the season is young, but there is no denying that Hafner is starting off stronger than he has since his last MVP season in 2006.

2004-2006 MVP Seasons

Leon Halip/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - APRIL 05: Travis Hafner #48 of the Cleveland Indians scores in the fourth inning on a single by Orlando Cabrera #20 of the Cleveland Indians during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field on April 5, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio.

During Pronk’s 2006 season with the Tribe, he tallied 42 homers, 117 RBI, 31 doubles, 140 hits and 100 runs. He batted .308 and had a 1.097 OPS.

This was his last season as MVP.

In the seasons that followed, his numbers began to drop and shoulder injuries played a part in his slump.

Nagging Shoulder Injuries

Nick Laham/Getty Images

NEW YORK - APRIL 18: Travis Hafner #48 of the Cleveland Indians in the dugout against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 18, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The right shoulder injury in 2008 was responsible for Hafner’s worst season of his career. Only appearing 57 games that season, Hafner was limited to just five home runs, 39 hits and batted his lowest, .197.

In August 2009, Hafner was seemingly having a healthy recovery, but then suffered an injury to his left shoulder.

This season, Hafner is playing as strong as or even more explosively than he did during his prime.

As long as these injuries remain a thing of the past, Pronk will thrive and play at his MVP level all season.  

High Hopes for 2011

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 08: Travis Hafner #48 of the Cleveland Indians rounds the bases after hitting a three-run homerun in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners during the Mariners' home opener at Safeco Field on April 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washingt

This season, Pronk has started off hot.

If he keeps up this pace and remains healthy, his numbers will surpass his 2006 season.

The Cleveland Indians are finally playing to their full potential, totally displaying their talents and skills.

No doubt each individual player is feeding off of each other’s successes.

This team is gelling well together.

With the Indians’ DH back to his All-Star form, fans can keep their hopes high in this 2011 season.