Cleveland Indians: Three players to watch during Spring Training

1 of 4

Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Stephan, Spring Training (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Three Cleveland Indians to watch during Spring Training

With Spring Training around the corner for the Cleveland Indians, what players should be on fans’ radar to watch closely to see how they do? The spring season might look a little different this year and the details will be everchanging until the season begins, and Spring Training ends, but that doesn’t mean the players should approach it any differently. How they have to be off the field will be a bit different, but what they can do on the diamond shouldn’t waver.

From the mindset of the players, Spring Training presents the same thing as always. An opportunity. A chance for the players to showcase their skills and how they’ve progressed on and off the field. Seeing that the Cleveland Indians have parted ways with players like Brad Hand, Cesar Hernandez, Carlos Santana and others in the past year, the amount of opportunities will be a bit higher than recent seasons.

Entering Spring Training the Cleveland Indians will have gaps at least at first and second base as well as almost the entire outfield. As for pitching, the starting rotation is set as of now, but there are undefined roles in the bullpen. While the players that will eventually occupy these spots long-term might not be MLB-ready, they will at least be given a shot to show how close they are this spring.

Fans of the Cleveland Indians have become accustomed to winning recently and many are having doubts about continued success moving forward. However, these three players provide bright spots on the team of what the future holds and should be watched closely leading up to the season to see not only what they can do down the road, but maybe even later this season after some time in the minors to further improve and touch-up their game. Once they are ready and arrive, they are sure to have an impact.

Nolan Jones

We’ve been talking about Nolan Jones all offseason and hopefully that will continue once Spring Training begins and carry into the season. The arrival of Jones has been long awaited and could finally happen this season. The spring, however, might determine where on the field it happens.

Being drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Jones is part of the same class that has produced Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale. Jones went in the second, Civale in the third, Bieber in the fourth and then Plesac in the 12th. With the other three already in the majors, Jones will be the last of the bunch.

What held Jones back a bit was his position, the Indians have had Jose Ramirez entrenched at third base for a few years now. However, that could all change a bit with Jones possibly moving in the field. The Indians asked him to play first and the outfield, and that’s where Spring Training will be huge for Jones.

He will need to prove that he can play one of those positions if he wants to see time in the majors this year. Third basemen have moved to first before, but as they say in ‘Moneyball’ “It’s incredibly hard.” As for the outfield, that would be a gift to the Indians’ outfield issues.

No matter where he settles in, Jones will need to show that not only is he MLB-ready, but he’s ready at a position that needs a starter.

Gabriel Arias

One of the bigger names that came to the Cleveland Indians in the Mike Clevinger trade, Gabriel Arias has yet to suit up in a Tribe uniform. With no minor leagues in 2020, Indians fans don’t really know what to expect from Arias other than what the scouting reports and stats say that are available from his time in the Padres’ organization.

Listed as the No. 6 prospect in the Indians’ organization, we know that there are high expectations for Arias. The key for him this spring will be to find a spot where he can thrive in the near future. His highest level of play is High-A, so there’s still some time before he’s MLB-ready, but when he is where will he slot in?

Most of his playing time in the minors has been at shortstop, tallying 261 starts there. This is part of the reason why San Diego could part with him, thanks to the star in Fernando Tatis Jr., but Cleveland’s shortstop competition isn’t exactly wide open either.

Despite the trade talks, Francisco Lindor remains on Cleveland’s roster, but long-term someone else will play short. That doesn’t mean it will be Arias. While Arias is the No. 6 prospect, Tyler Freeman is the No. 2 and is also a shortstop. Both have limited experience at second base as well, so the future double-play tandem of the Cleveland Indians could be right here. The only catch is, who’s at shortstop?

That battle will be one to watch closely during Spring Training. There’s still time before a decision is made, but eventually one of them will emerge as the favorite while the other transitions to second base.

Trevor Stephan

While there are unknowns about all three players on this list, there’s more mystery surrounding Trevor Stephan. Jones and Arias have time to improve if needed, but Stephan was a Rule 5 selection and will be in Cleveland this season. The one similarity between the three is the question we’re asking. Where will he fit in?

Stephan’s highest level of play is at Double-A where he’s appeared in a total of 29 games, starting all 29. Now, not playing in 2020 surely derailed his progression a bit and it can be assumed he would have received time at least in Triple-A. Nevertheless, there’s a lot we don’t know about him that Spring Training could tell us.

As I said, he started all 29 games he pitched in while at Double-A. In fact, he’s started 69 of 71 games he’s appeared in going back to his college days at Arkansas. Last time I checked, the Cleveland Indians have a rather solid starting five and don’t need Stephan there.

Alright, so he’s a long-reliever in the bullpen? Well, that spot is a bit occupied as well. Both Cal Quantrill and Logan Allen are traditionally starting pitchers that the Tribe have moved to the bullpen. Would the Indians really carry three long-relievers in the pen or is Quantrill or Allen the odd man out?

This is why Stephan will be intriguing to watch. It’s been a while since the Indians have had a player set for the regular season roster that has a role as unknown as Stephan’s. Unless there’s another move made before the start of the season, it will remain one of the bigger question marks of Spring Training.

dark. Next. Five bold predictions for the Tribe in 2021

Home / Cleveland Guardians News

Three Cleveland Indians to watch during Spring Training

Nolan Jones

Gabriel Arias

Trevor Stephan

Schedule