5 Cleveland Indians Prospects Likely To Be Promoted In 2017

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February 27, 2016; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Erik Gonzalez (78) poses for a picture during photo day at the Cleveland Indians Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

These five Cleveland Indians prospects are likely to see the field at some point during the 2017 MLB season.

The Cleveland Indians enter a season as the defending American League for the first time since 1998.

The Indians are the favorites to win the AL Central, but there are still some questions surrounding the makeup of the team. Will Michael Brantley stay healthy? Will Tyler Naquin continue to produce in center field after a less than stellar second half? Will the Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer continue to be a productive platoon?

Cornerstones of the team, such as Jason Kipnis and Carlos Carrasco have already been bitten by the injury bug.

If you see too many prospects early on, that’s not a good thing and the Indians are probably in trouble. Many of the guys who helped this team reach the postseason are returning in 2017. With that said, injuries are a truth MLB keeps reminding us of year after year.

Here’s five prospects you’re likely to see at some point in 2017, as the Indians continue their quest to break the longest current active World Series drought.

Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World infielder Alex Bregman (2) slides into third base with a triple past World infielder Yandy Diaz (left) in the first inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Yandy Diaz, OF, 3B

The big question concerning Yandy Diaz remains: Where do you play him? He’s played third base, but seems to be spending more time in the outfield, specifically in left. He’s also bounced across the grass to right field. He played center in Venezuelan winter ball during the offseason.

If Diaz joins the Indians in 2017, it will probably be in the outfield, but his versatility certainly doesn’t hurt. The 2016 Tribe saw Terry Francona make adjustments all over the place. He really had no choice, because of the shoulder injury to Michael Brantley.

Brantley’s spring appears to be going to plan, but you never know how his surgically repaired shoulder is going to hold up. The only way to tell is time, and through the wear and tear of an MLB schedule.

Additionally, Diaz might find some playing time if someone else in the outfield sees their production drop. Tyler Naquin, expected to start in center, was a great story in 2016. But after hitting over .330 in June and July, Naquin appeared to hit the rookie wall in August, batting .193. He rebounded to bat .279 in August, but struggled in the postseason, hitting just .174 in 23-at bats with 14 strikeouts. His postseason was especially concerning because Francona wasn’t asking him to do anything out of his comfort zone. Of Naquin’s 23 at bats, 22 were against right-handed pitchers. He hit .301 off righties in 282 at-bats during the regular season.

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In right field, the platoon of Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer looks good on paper. Chisenhall appears to have finally found a home in right field as a good defensive right fielder. The former first-round pick hit .295 (.784 OPS) against righties in 2016, according to Yahoo Sports. Guyer hit .344 (1.089 OPS) against lefties, according to Yahoo.

As for Diaz, the guy just hits, and that’s why you’re likely to see him this season. He owns a .307 career average in the minors. And it doesn’t really matter who the right-hander faces. Southpaws, righties, it doesn’t matter. Diaz hit .384 against lefties at Triple-A last season, and .304 against righties in 84 at bats, according to MiLB.com.

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