Cleveland Indians: 5 Position Players with the Most to Prove this Spring

Abraham Almonte

Seemingly the guy that everyone forgets about, Abraham Almonte will look to prove he can be an everyday player this spring.

Almonte missed half of 2016 due to a performance enhancing drug suspension, but returned and found success in a semi-everyday role.

Almonte proved he could play other outfield positions as he saw significant time in both right field and left field after being used primarily as a center fielder the season before.

In 67 games last season, Almonte produced a respectable .264 batting average. Although only connecting for one home run, he did collect 20 doubles, 22 RBI and eight stolen bases.

Almonte missed the entire postseason due to his PED suspension.

Had Almonte not missed the postseason and had he continued playing the way he did in the second half in the postseason, he probably would not have found his way on this list. However, because he missed the Tribe’s fairy tale run, he has to prove he still belongs.

He will likely find himself splitting time in center field with Naquin in a platoon role while providing left field depth behind either Jackson or Michael Brantley. But with question marks around Naquin, Almonte could be in line for an increased role if he can handle the workload.