In the past few weeks, outfielder Tyler Naquin has gone from an intriguing invitee to major league camp to a serious contender to be the Indians’ center fielder.
He’s off to a positive start, hitting .467, but his chances of making the team have as much to do with how Naquin fits into the Indians’ long-term plans as it does his own performance this spring.
Naquin, the No. 6 prospect in the Indians’ system according to Baseball America, is in a competition for a spot on the Opening Day roster with Collin Cowgill, Joey Butler, Will Venable, Robbie Grossman, Michael Choice and Shane Robinson.