Shaving K's key to Gutierrez's future
03/07/2006LAKELAND, Fla. -- Franklin Gutierrez's winter ball adjustment certainly caught the eye of general manager Mark Shapiro.
"He did things this winter he's never done in his professional career," Shapiro said of the young outfielder.
Such as?
"He walked more than he struck out."
Actually, Gutierrez's regular-season totals with the Caracas club in the Venezuelan Winter League were an even 28 walks and 28 strikeouts.
But the point remains Gutierrez showed a much better approach and discipline at the plate. The adjustment could be pivotal to his big-league arrival.
"If he just takes his winter into the season," Shapiro said, "he's going to be very successful."
Gutierrez is hoping that success comes in Cleveland, not Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .254 with no home runs and seven RBIs in 19 games last season. That stint with the Bisons came after Gutierrez hit .261 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs in 95 games with Double-A Akron.
Those aren't exactly gaudy numbers, but Gutierrez opened eyes with a stellar Spring Training camp last year and again in Caracas, where he hit .341 (63-for-185) with four homers and 31 RBIs.
"I went back to my country, and I did very good," Gutierrez said. "That's what I wanted. I was trying to hit the ball the other way. That worked for me. I want to do the same here."
In his second big-league camp with the Indians since being acquired in the 2004 trade that sent Milton Bradley to the Dodgers, Gutierrez is doubtful to latch on with the Tribe for Opening Day. Todd Hollandsworth will likely have the fourth outfield job locked up, and Gutierrez will get some more seasoning in Buffalo.
That's not to say his big-league clock isn't ticking, though. Shapiro said he'd feel comfortable bringing Gutierrez up to Jacobs Field this season if his improved plate discipline continues and a need arises.
"He's got natural ability, bat speed and power," Shapiro said. "We're not worried about him hitting home runs. He just needs to cut down the strikeouts."
Ah, yes. The strikeouts. They've come in bunches throughout the 23-year-old Gutierrez's career.
He struck out 77 times with the Aeros last season, against just 30 walks. With the Bisons, he struck out 13 times with six walks.
"I have a lot of things to work on," he conceded. "This year, I did my adjustments, and if I have a good spring, maybe I can make it."
Having a strong spring might be a little more taxing for Gutierrez this year, considering he played 55 regular-season games for Caracas, then participated in the playoffs, right up through the Caribbean Series, which was won by his native Venezuela.
"Wow, it was a long season," Gutierrez said. "I played in probably 80 games. But it works for me, because I come over here in shape. I don't get tired at all. I'm still in shape."
The Indians will give Gutierrez, a September callup in '05, some Grapefruit League innings in center field, his natural position. But with Grady Sizemore having that position nailed down, the club will also ensure Gutierrez sees plenty of innings in the corner spots, as well.
His defense, though, isn't what's separating him from an opportunity in the Majors. It's that cavalcade of K's that's getting in the way.
"It's not a hole in his swing," Shapiro said. "It might just be his approach. I think maybe some part of his swing pattern and some part of his mental approach. He could probably improve on his mental approach easier than you can change his swing pattern."
Gutierrez made the first strides toward that improvement in a critical winter season.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
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