Cleveland Indians: Tyler Naquin Should Be The Opening Day Centerfielder

Once thought to have an outside chance to make the team as an extra outfielder, Tyler Naquin may be earning a chance to start on Opening Day.

The Cleveland Indians are in a tight spot with their outfield to start the year. Michael Brantley (arguably the Indians best player) is hurt. He had shoulder surgery in the offseason, and it looks like his recovery process is going to creep into the regular season. But Brantley is trying his hardest to fast-track his recovery, as he played in the Indians spring training game on March 19th, he subsequently hit a home run. But he’s not all the way back, as he’s sat out all the games since the 21st in order to rest his arm.  This opens up a hole in the Indians opening day lineup, one that should be filled by Tyler Naquin, the Indians electric prospect.

Now it’s not like Naquin just has to show up to spring training and he’ll be handed the job. The Indians currently have eight outfielders (including Naquin) on their spring training roster. With Lonnie Chisenhall and Rajai Davis tentatively penciled in for the corner outfield spots, and that leaves a big gaping hole in the middle of the outfield, a hole that Naquin should fill, but he’ll have to work for it.

Naquin (who was listed at the Indians #11 prospect by our own Matt Bretz) has been in the Indians organization since they drafted him 15th overall in the 2012 draft. He’s torn the cover off the ball at every level he’s been at, hitting .311 at AA in 2014, and hitting .300 between Double-A and Triple-A last year. He’s also a natural centerfielder, as shown by this exceptional catch he made for the Carolina Mudcats in 2013. Naquin is also solid in every facet of the game, as he’s stolen 46 bases in 3 1/2 years in the Indians minor league organization, collected 372 hits, including 78 doubles, 18 triples, 21 home runs, and 118 RBI.

Naquin has a lot of a competition though, as Joey Butler, Collin Cowgill, Marlon Byrd and Will Venable all competing for a spot on the roster. Now the Indians also have outfield bench spots available, which will most likely lead into platoon opportunities to some players, both before and after Brantley comes back. Newest Indian signee Marlon Byrd is starting to become a trendy pick to take this open outfield spot, as he hit 25 home runs in 2015, which would have been good for first on the Indians by 7 home runs last year.

The only problem is, Byrd has never been a centerfielder, and I don’t see him becoming on in his year 38 season. I think he’ll platoon for the right field spot with Lonnie, or even taking it from him and becoming the everyday starter. Butler is more of an eighth-inning defensive replacement guy, but he proved last year that he could be a serviceable outfielder when called upon. Cowgill was a long time bench player for the Angels, and he always hit well against lefties in his career (.271)… righties not so much (.200). Venable has always made in the MLB with his athleticism, but Naquin is just as athletic, and can hit as well.

The only problem is, Byrd has never been a centerfielder, and I don’t see him becoming on in his year 38 season. I think he’ll platoon for the right field spot with Lonnie, or even taking it from him and becoming the everyday starter. Butler is more of an eighth-inning defensive replacement guy, but he proved last year that he could be a serviceable outfielder when called upon. Cowgill was a long time bench player for the Angels, and he always hit well against lefties in his career (.271)… righties not so much (.200). Venable has always made in the MLB with his athleticism, but Naquin is just as athletic, and can hit as well.

Tyler Naquin is a budding MLB star, what he lacks in power he makes up for in almost every other facet of his game. He’s just the spark that the Indians need, and Tito won’t regret handing him the keys to center field, even if it’s only for the start of the season.