Anyone have an idea how the Outfield may work out? I know it's tough since we may still sign a free agent that can start at one spot but is anyone currently on the roster locked in on a position? Maybe Mercado in CF?
Zimmer - Is he still in the plans moving forward, will his new stance improve his hitting? Can he move to RF?
Daniel Johnson - Will he get a shot as an every day outfielder?
Jake Bauers - ??
Naquin - Obviously can't forget about him when he comes back
Allen and Luplow will likely never be more than 4th or 5th outfielders
Is DJ the only minor league prospect ready to make an impact next season or am i missing someone?
From what I can tell the break down really is no spot is 100% set, but it’s likely Mercado, Luplow and Shields have a roster spot to lose. The other two spots we will see but I will break down pretty much everyone in my mind for the OF competition.
Greg Allen-on the outside looking in since him and DeShields are similar players. He has to show a ton of improvement in his bat to be on the roster if everyone is healthy
Jake Bauers- it’s hard to say, he is better at 1B than in the OF. With Naquin out, he has a shot of making the roster but he needs to show improvement in both his attitude and his bat. Still really young but not a ton of time left to prove himself in the pros.
Delino DeShields-very good speed and very good defensively. Top prospect who hasn’t learn to really hit well at the major league level. Likely our 4th OF/will be facing every lefty and could be a defensive replacement late game for Bauers or Reyes.
Daniel Johnson- We have high hopes for the guy and will likely get some playing time during the season, but likely is just a depth piece this season if everyone has a clean bill of health.
Jordan Luplow-Likely a platoon player against lefties, but will have a chance to earn more reps against RHs in spring training. Projection is a lefty killer, but could earn more everyday play.
Oscar Mercado-To me he is almost a lock to make the team. One of the OF spots is his to lose. Probably going to start the season in CF, but will be putting a lot of time in the corners in spring since he struggled there last year.
Tyler Naquin-Will be out for a good portion of the year. Do we replace his production with Dickerson?
Franmil Reyes-essentially he was told to expect this season to be the everyday RF, at least be ready to be. His fielding in San Diego was suspect hence why they were willing to part with him. Money would say he is a DH, but could be an everyday out there if he works on slimming down a bit and getting a bit quicker.
Ka’ai Tom- is he a one hit wonder? Last season was really the first time he put up those types of numbers. At the moment he is a depth piece, but he has all around solid tools, so could eventually work his way in to the mix
Bradley Zimmer-Indians FO aren’t going to 100% force a guy to play winter ball, but he didn’t stay on their good side either. At the moment he is off the team and a lock to start at AAA. To get on this roster out of spring training, will be hard and he would have to nearly put up all-star numbers while cutting down his strikeouts and increasing his contact rateDon’t expect him on the roster out of spring training
Anyone else if note? No not really currently, Mike Freeman could possibly get some looks at there. Velazquez has played some OF.
my projection- we can keep 26 players, so 13 arms and 13 position players. 5 will be OF. Mercado, Luplow and DeShields to me are locks. Almost makes the other two to start the season Bauers and Reyes, but we are a long ways away from the season starting so things could change before then