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

Coming into spring training in 2017, several Cleveland Indians position players are battling for roster spots and eventual opening day lineup nods. 

Last year, the Cleveland Indians added players like Marlon Byrd, Juan Uribe and Rajai Davis to compete with younger players like Jose Ramirez and Tyler Naquin for starting roles. While the veterans won the starting jobs in spring training, the younger players eventually took over as everyday players.

The younger players proved they belonged on the major league roster in spring training, which ultimately led to their success later in the year.

Fast forward to 2017 and players are again looking to prove they belong on the major league roster.

Prospects such as Bradley Zimmer and Greg Allen have already made noise at the big league camp, especially little known Allen who won the endurance challenge at the beginning of camp.

With this healthy competition chasing Tribe talent from close behind and the high expectations of Tribe fans and management for this year’s team, it is possible that pieces get plugged in and removed throughout the year to ensure success for the team.

Last season, fans saw this when Uribe was removed from third base and eventually released in favor of Ramirez, or when Naquin began splitting time with Davis in center field.

Whether it be youth, a past injury or a position competition, several players have much to prove in spring training if they hope to make the major league roster or secure a long-term starting spot.

Tyler Naquin

Tyler Naquin came out of nowhere in spring training last season and earned himself an unlikely roster spot on opening day.

Naquin turned heads with his consistent bat and sneaky power throughout spring training 2016 and won the hearts of Tribe fans. However, the good times were not ready to hang around.

As his playing time increased into the second and third months of the 2016 season, Naquin’s youth quickly began to show. Poor at-bats and shaky outfield leadership seeped into Naquin’s game.

A notable flaw – his inability to hit the fastball – hindered Naquin’s at bats, and it showed. He never was able to conquer this flaw in 2016.

His Game 6 error in the World Series showed lack of game maturity as the young center fielder failed to take control of the play.

This spring, improvement in both areas will be needed. Having significant major league experience and playing on the game’s biggest stage in front of the world will help with confidence, which will lead to better outfield leadership. However, hitting the fastball could be trickier.

It will undoubtedly be something he will work on with the Tribe’s hitting coach throughout the spring.

With the addition of veteran Austin Jackson and the return of Abraham Almonte, Naquin’s spot on the MLB roster is not guaranteed, however we should see him in a Tribe uniform come April.

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.

Austin Jackson

The third outfielder to make the list, newcomer Austin Jackson, has the most to prove.

The 30-year-old Jackson is coming off a 2016 that saw him appear in 54 games for the Chicago White Sox. He produced a solid .254/.318/.343 slash line.

Jackson spent over four-and-a-half seasons with the Detroit Tigers to begin his career, so the American League Central is no stranger to him.

Jackson has spent the majority of his career as a center fielder, but saw 22 games in right field in 2015 and four games in left field last season. With Almonte and Naquin manning center field, Jackson will most likely have to set up shop elsewhere.

With Brantley’s return still unclear, Jackson translates best as a left fielder. Even when Brantley does return, Jackson can provide depth behind the All-Star.

With outfield prospects Zimmer and Allen on the cusp of the big leagues, Jackson might not make the entire season as an Indian. If he struggles, his time with the team could be short.

However, if Jackson can prove he is still a solid MLB outfielder and can still produce at the plate, he could hang around. But he is going to have to prove that he is an asset to the team and not just veteran depth.

Yan Gomes

Yan Gomes is the player with the most to prove in 2017.

After two straight dismal, injury-ridden seasons, Gomes will come into 2017 with a clean bill of health and a fresh start.

In 2014, Gomes was one of the most promising young backstops in MLB.

Gomes is still one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. He has incredible arm talent and a pick-off move to first that managers dream of. He also manages one of the best pitching staffs in baseball and maximizes all of their abilities.

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It is his bat, however, that needs to start producing.

In 2015, Gomes produced a .231/.267/.391 slash line across 95 games. In 2016, he slashed .167/.201/.327 in 74 games.

To this point, it appears that Gomes will be the primary catcher, while Roberto Perez, an equally talented defensive catcher, will work with one or two starters exclusively.

If Gomes wants to keep his starting role and keep the Indians from shopping for a trade deadline upgrade, he will have to get back to his Silver Slugger ways of 2014. The team cannot go into the offseason with a near guaranteed out in the lineup like it did last year.

Hopefully he has a short memory, because he, like the rest of us, would like to forget the past two seasons and move on to better times.

Jose Ramirez

Did anybody see Jose Ramirez finishing seventh in the AL with a .312 batting average in 2016?

No way, Jose.

Ramirez put together a breakout season for the ages with his monstrous 2016 campaign. He was one of the most clutch hitters in baseball.

Coming into 2016, Ramirez was tabbed as the next Mike Aviles – a utility player that could be plugged in anywhere on the diamond. However, Ramirez quickly showed he should be in the lineup every day and found a home at third base.

Ramirez will be the starting third baseman this season, but he still has a lot to prove this spring and into the regular season.

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In 2014, Gomes broke out in a similar way and looked like a franchise catcher. Since then, the story has been flipped. Tribe fans cannot rule out this cruel reality for Ramirez.

It is still not a given that Ramirez is that franchise player. If he continues to play like he did in 2016, he will be, but he has to prove that he is not a one-and-done guy.

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The Indians have two third base options behind Ramirez: Giovanny Urshela and Yandy Diaz. Both are ready for major league play, so Ramirez cannot let his guard down. Similarly to Jackson, if he struggles, Tribe management will not hesitate to bring in the next guy.