Thursday, March 20, 2008
His .409 batting average has earned him the start in right field.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — For the first time, Franklin Gutierrez doesn’t have to sweat out the next round of roster cuts.
“It’s a great feeling, knowing you have a job,” said Gutierrez, who will be Cleveland’s opening day starter in right field March 31 in Cleveland. “It is a big difference for me. I’m more relaxed — but also more excited.
“This is my time. This is my opportunity.”
The 25-year-old Venezuelan has grabbed his chance with gusto, hitting .409 (9-for-22) with two homers and eight RBIs in eight games entering the contest Wednesday night in Port St. Lucie against the New York Mets.
“He’s had a tremendous camp,” Indians’ manager Eric Wedge said. “His work is as decisive, deliberate and consistent as anyone we’ve had in camp. You look at his batting practice and his work in the outfield, and the discipline he’s shown mentally is tremendous.”
Personally and professionally, Gutierrez is a new man. He got married this offseason to the former Vivian Salazar, whose father Luis played 13 years in the majors through 1992.
“I’m very happy, but I know I must work even harder because I have the responsibility of someone to take care of,” Gutierrez said. “At the same time, my wife is there for me when I come home. I can share my emotions with her.”
A year ago, Gutierrez shared the right-field job with veteran Trot Nixon after being called up from Triple-A Buffalo on May 31. Within weeks, he claimed the position outright, batting .279 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs after June 14.
“It was a great season for me,” Gutierrez said, “but I have plenty of room to improve to make this year a better one. I can’t think I have it made. There’s always somebody trying to take your job. I worked hard to get one and I’m going to work harder to keep it.”
Gutierrez hit .330 (31-for-94) against left-handers, but only .232 (41-for-177) against right-handers. He also struck out 77 times in only 221 at-bats.
Hitting coach Derek Shelton believes Gutierrez can make strides in both areas simply by playing.
“You’re seeing the maturation of a talented player,” Shelton said. “Last year, he got regular at-bats at this level for the first time and made the most of them. The key to hitting is repetition and he’s putting in the work to succeed. He’s learning to be more selective.”
Gutierrez was a polished outfielder with a strong throwing arm and fine speed, but a wild swinger when the Indians acquired him at the end of spring training in 2004 from the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Milton Bradley.
“He’s put in his work in the minors, improved his mental approach and is utilizing his natural abilities,” Shelton said, “and he’s got a lot of natural abilities.”
Gutierrez’s skills got him to Triple-A at age 21, then he spent parts of four seasons there refining his game.
“Nobody has made better use of their time in Triple-A than Gutierrez,” Wedge said. “He attacked the changes he had to make.”
Gutierrez admits it wasn’t always pleasant riding the Buffalo shuttle back and forth to Cleveland, his hopes rising and falling with each trip.
“It’s not easy when you’re up and down,” he said. “I didn’t get upset because I know this is a business. In every job you have ups and downs. You have to be prepared for every situation and wait for your time. That’s what I did last year; I waited for my time.”