Cleveland Sports Forum

TFIR ... You do remember Naquin was a 1st round pick, right?

Afterthought?

I'm not forgetting about you kid!

Cleveland Indians Tyler Naquin Building Case for Call Up

Jun 24, 2017 at 11:08a ET

Following a stellar rookie season for the Cleveland Indians, Tyler Naquin is refusing to allow a demotion and injury drain morale.

Back on October 25, 2016, Cleveland Indians rookie Tyler Naquin stepped out of the third base dugout and onto Progressive Field. The Texas A&M product had only played in 122 MLB games but was extremely confident for Game 1 of the World Series.

He looked around the familiar confines and soaked in the magnitude of the moment. After all, how many rookies get to play for a championship?

“It was incredible, man. It’s everybody’s dream,” said Naquin. “It was a special experience. It all happened pretty fast, and I look forward to getting back there and being part of that team again.”

Naquin, a first-round pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, burst onto the Major League scene last season. The 26-year old batted .296 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs in 116 games, earning 3rd place in the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year voting.

Nearly eight months after the memory of a lifetime, Naquin does not wear a red C on a navy cap. Instead, he dons the same letter but of a different team.

A season of hustle, home runs and igniting the “Rock and Roll Capital of the World” was forgotten in 6 games.

“I had a bad month.”

Naquin began the 2017 season as the starting center fielder in Cleveland. He batted .333 in Spring Training making manager Terry Francona‘s decision a no-brainer.

After just 17 at-bats, he was on his way to Triple-A Columbus.

Regardless of circumstances, baseball never lost its luster to the Texan and, in turn, he refused to relinquish his confidence.

“It’s out of my control. I just go out there and keep playing. I’ll find myself in a good spot,” said Naquin. “I have so much fun.”

Immediately after demotion, the hits began to pile up for the 6’2″ outfielder. He added hit after hit, leading to a 14-game hit streak and .396 average within a month of being optioned. A promotion was imminent.

“The injury bug” had other plans, though.

For the third time in four years, an ailment took a bite of Naquin’s season. In the midst of one of his most successful spans, the game he loved was ripped from his hot-hitting hands.

However, his confidence still never wavered.

“You got to realize all the work you’ve put in and how much success that you’ve had,” he said. “If I’m healthy, I’m in a good spot. I’m getting healthy, and I feel really good. Injuries are part of the game.”

Returning from lower back tightness on June 13, Naquin is starting over. His 14-game hit streak has evaporated, but he is gradually rediscovering his groove.

In the past five games, Naquin has three home runs and seven RBIs, including a grand slam on June 17.

A return to Cleveland could very well be on the horizon; yet, he is not worried in the least.

“I’m just sitting here, taking it day-by-day,” Naquin said. “I’ve gone out there and proved I can do it at the highest level.

“Different times on and off the field call for different situations and opportunities to come up. I’ll have another go at it up there in Cleveland. I love that ballpark, love the staff and love playing for that city.”

Hillbilly wrote:TFIR ... You do remember Naquin was a 1st round pick, right?

Afterthought?

LOL, well maybe afterthought was strong. I will say though that at the present time, he is not under consideration in my opinion because of how Jackson, Chiz and Zimmer have performed.

Certainly they do think of him as quality organizational depth at the moment, and with an injury or two he could be right back.

Thing is we always like to refer to the Tribe's ability to grab off the scrap pile, and Austin Jackson seems to be another successful grab. And of course he's a CF who can field, and a RH bat.

Zimmer just has the look of a big leaguer and has qualities the team needs. Have to wonder if the Yankees wanted him in the Miller trade....or did they more want Frazier?

Opinions of Chiz aside, the Tribe has always valued him, and his numbers this year are finally starting to justify that.

So Naquin is in a numbers game, but hell, injuries happen (both to him and to the Tribe) so he'll get another shot.

Now you may be right about that.

Just wondering', what are you expecting out of Chiz this year?

He has always been so streaky. I can't help but think the downturn is coming. (Already started)

Hey, JOE Z, I forgot to mention this last week, but did you see Einar Diaz on TV when we were playing the Orioles? He is now a coach for them. Remember when we talked to him in Clearwater?
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/team/c ... fid=113330

Hillbilly wrote:Now you may be right about that.

Just wondering', what are you expecting out of Chiz this year?

He has always been so streaky. I can't help but think the downturn is coming. (Already started)

First off, I agree with you on his past. Streaky as hell.

The team has been really patient with him, more patient than I would have been. But they saw something. We know he, like Naquin, does have pedigree.

So, as always, the question in this type of situation is whether this is his breakout, or another streak.

So I certainly hope this is a permanent breakout, and I actually believe it is. He's now comfortable/set in the outfield. He's had a couple years to watch some really good hitters.

So yeah, I think if I were to bet on it, I'd say he has matured into the beginning of his prime and is going to be that good hitting, good fielding outfielder the team has thought he would be.

Never hurts to have the versatility to swing over to CF either, and he now has that too.

So yes, I am a believer at this point.

Well, he is a lifetime .265 hitter, and the most HR's he ever had in a season was 13. This is his 7th season. Just not sure what you hope to expect from him.

And let's not forget, he's had some huge games too. Didn't he hit like 3 homers in a game against Texas once? But still couldn't manage more than 13 in a season?

He's a guy that has a hot week a couple times a season but disappeared the rest of the time.

I hope he has a career year though, obviously. But I'd be looking for a long term solution in RF.

Before the season started I thought that may be Yandy Diaz. But he showed he is no OF'er. He was awful out there. I'm now thinking he might be a replacement for Carlos Santana at 1B if he walks at end of year.

I'm now hoping Zimmer is the RF'er of the future and Naquin CF. maybe Naquin moves to left in future if Greg Allen turns out to be as good as I hope. (Thank you again Jonothan LuCroy for turning down that trade!)

Yandy has Brady Quinn syndrome. Big muscles...no flexibility.

I don't see that at all. Played a very good 3rd base. was just lost in the OF. Had been a 2nd baseman his whole life till they moved him to 3rd in the minors. Played a little OF in AAA last year but was obviously not nearly enough.

Agree on Chiz's past 100%

That said, he is entering an age where MLB players hit their strides. So I think he is showing signs of maturing into that more consistent player we'd like to see.

Hey, Tito is right way more than I am and he seems to think so as well. So fingers crossed.

We chatted with a lot of players over the years JR. To be honest, I can't remember Einar.

Anybody.................

Michael Martinez is back

I was hoping to be the first to post the big news on Martinez. You beat me to it. That should take care of the losing streak.
[of course he's in Columbus for now, so the offensive boost is still ahead of us.]

Brantley and Guyer have been activated. Thank goodness. Hopefully give the offense a spark.

Armstrong and Robertson was sent down to make room.

Hillbilly wrote:Brantley and Guyer have been activated. Thank goodness. Hopefully give the offense a spark.

Armstrong and Robertson was sent down to make room.

I provided the spark last time, and will try again Thursday noon.
They won the game I attended v. the Dodgers which started a 7-1 streak.