Cleveland Indians: Can Brandon Guyer make the roster?

The Cleveland Indians have some depth in the outfield, but very little certainty. For someone like Brandon Guyer, that means this is a make-or-break spring training.

At first, Brandon Guyer was the surefire fourth outfielder on the Indians behind starters Michael Brantley, Bradley Zimmer, and Lonnie Chisenhall. Then Melvin Upton, Jr. signed with the team. Then Rajai Davis decided to return to the club. Young players like Tyler Naquin and Greg Allen could also find themselves battling for spots. Now, Guyer could find himself off the Opening Day roster.

Brantley may not be ready for the start of the season. Chisenhall has dealt with injuries in the past. And Guyer underwent offseason wrist surgery, meaning he could end up on the DL or simply released.

There’s a lot of competition for roster spots in the outfield spots, and very little is locked down. If healthy, Zimmer and Chisenhall should start in center and right field. Brantley is expected to start the season on the disabled list.

The Cleveland Indians figure to carry four or five outfielders on the roster to start the season. Zimmer and Chisenhall will take two of those spots. Let’s assume Brantley is placed on the DL to start the year, the final two or three spots will be down to Davis, Upton, Guyer, Allen, and Naquin, and even Yandy Diaz can play some outfield.

What are Guyer’s chances?

With five guys battling for two spots, these are tough odds. Rajai Davis could very easily earn a spot, simply because of his veteran presence and the fact that he is revered as a hero in Cleveland. Davis could probably hit .150 in camp and still make the team. So that leaves four guys for one or two spots. And that battle will come down to who plays the best in spring training.

Related Story: Likelihood of Rajai Davis making the roster

Last season, Guyer hit .236 with two home runs and 20 RBIs in his first full year with the Cleveland Indians. Those aren’t exactly inspiring numbers for a 32 year old backup heading into 2018.

Guyer’s only chance is to catch fire in Goodyear. If he doesn’t, and another outfielder does, Guyer will be without a roster spot. He needs to prove to the Indians that he is the best option for the outfield and is capable of starting in case one of the top outfielders gets injured.

Greg Allen and Tyler Naquin are young players who still have a chance of reaching their ceilings. The 32 year old Guyer could have already reached his ceiling and on the downhill part of his career. This makes Guyer the one on the outside looking in. Since he does not have any minor league options remaining, Guyer either makes the team or is put on waivers.

He’s not bad defensively, but if he’s going to be on a roster that needs to be World Series caliber, Guyer needs his bat to produce in spring and throughout the season.

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The battle for the remaining outfield spots should be one of the most exciting ones of the spring. There are a lot of at-bats to be had, and Guyer needs to prove that he deserves those at-bats.