Being as he’s a baseball legend, Ken Griffey Jr. should know when he sees talent or not. And in Franklin Gutierrez’ case, he sees talent.“I don’t know if there is any such thing as a natural center fielder, but he’s a center fielder,” Griffey said.
When the Seattle Mariners traded away top outfield prospect Adam Jones to the Baltimore Orioles, the team was absent a top center fielder for a while. After the short and miserable Jeremy Reed era, change was on the horizon.
To continue...
So newly hired general manager Jack Zduriencik sent his top scouts out to find the team's center field targets while some teams hinted about wanting Seattle's closer J.J. Putz.
On December 10, 2008 it was announced the Mariners traded away J.J. Putz, Sean Green, Jeremy Reed and Luis Valbuena for Aaron Heilman, Mike Carp, Jason Vargas, Endy Chavez, Franklin Gutierrez and two minor leaguers as part of a three-team trade. Joe Smith was sent to the Cleveland Indians in that trade along with Valbuena. All of the Mariners return talent came via the Mets except for Franklin Gutierrez.
Gutierrez was the Indians right fielder because two-time Gold Glove award winner Grady Sizemore was stationed there. During all this, some thought of Gutierrez as a man who could occupy left field, but Zduriencik and another sports legend had different ideas.
“Other people may have looked at him as a right fielder,” Griffey said “But when I saw him, what I saw was a center fielder that was being forced to play right field."
His defense is arguably the best of any center fielder, but that argument may soon be an indelible fact.
His range rating of 12.4 is the highest of any center fielder in the major leagues by 5.3. His Ultimate Zone Rating is also the best at an even 12. So out of the two most important defensive stats, Gutierrez controls them both with top numbers.
Wizardly plays of his are often featured on Sports Center, Quick Pitch and in his opponent’s dreams. But his former defense-only value is quickly being complemented by his recent offense.
Thus far in 2009, Gutierrez is batting .295 along with nine home runs heading into Wednesday’s matinee game. His .800 OPS is third on the team of all hitters with at least 150 at bats.
In his last 10 games he has hit .500 by going 20-for-40 with two home runs and seven runs batted in.
According to him, he has yet to reach his annual season peak.
“I always try to keep the same approach when I’m at the plate," Gutierrez said. "But I’ve always hit better after [the break].”
Always seen as a defensive player only, let’s just wait and see what this kid can do.
Reach Ben Brown at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
Posts
