Franklin Gutierrez

2013

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2012

Gutierrez's 2011 was a big black hole. It started with him missing the first six weeks with a stomach illness and then continued as he struggled mightily at the plate. His bat was starting to come around, but then he suffered a severe oblique strain in early September that ended his season. He was batting .187 on July 30, but hit .282 with eight doubles in 33 games thereafter. His status for 2012 is a bit uncertain as the Mariners suddenly have suitable options for center field. The Mariners have some decisions to make, but if Gutierrez is in spring training and healthy, the center-field job is his in large part due to his strong defense. Gutierrez will definitely be under the radar (at least to start the year), but he's worth keeping an eye on.

2011

Gutierrez's season of promise in 2009 turned into a season of major disappointment in 2010. Just when it looked like Gutierrez was primed to reach the next level, his average dropped nearly 40 points and his OPS by almost 100, and he hit six fewer home runs as well. On the positive side, he stole a career-high 25 bases and played Gold Glove defense in center field. His contact rate last season remained virtually the same as in 2009, but his BABIP dropped by 31 points. A little more luck and a better offense around him could result in a rebound for Gutierrez this year. If nothing else, his steals will come cheaply in fantasy drafts, and he's liable to push 30 bags this season if he improves last year's .303 OBP.

2010

The Mariners knew what they were getting in defense when they acquired Gutierrez in the offseason last year, but they were crossing their fingers that his offense was ready to bloom. Fortunately, that panned out, too, as Gutierrez posted career-highs of 18 homers and a .283 average. He also stole 16 bases in 21 attempts. Long a good prospect (he was the Dodgers minor league Player of the Year in 2003), Gutierrez finally started reaching his potential last year when he received everyday at-bats for the first time in his career. His bat should continue to develop in 2010 (hopefully even further against right-handed pitchers), which should make him a good draft-day value considering his likely draft slot.

2009

Gutierrez's finish (.313 average in his last 47 games) helped salvage what looked to be a very disappointing season. He's a moderate speed/power source if he can stick in the lineup, but his inability to handle righties (.246/.298/.378 for his career) makes that unlikely. Following a trade to Seattle in December, Gutierrez is in a position to carve out a regular job in center field for the Mariners.

2008

A hamstring injury delayed his start to the season but he was up with the Indians to stay by the first of June. From there, he slowly worked himself from a platoon partner for Trot Nixon in right field to an everyday option once David Dellucci got hurt and Nixon slumped slumped. His inability to hit righties (.232/.292/.429) could limit his playing time and it'll be interesting to see how the Indians handle the potential Dellucci/Jason Michaels/Ben Francisco/Gutierrez logjam in the corner outfield spots. If he can earn himself regular playing time he could be a moderate power/speed combination come draft day.

2007

He played the Buffalo "shuffalo" quite a bit last year and ended up with 136 big league at-bats. There wasn't much to the opportunity as he collected only 49 total bases, but there is progress nonetheless. The minor league numbers are extremely consistent, so it's hard to project a role for Gutierrez in Cleveland. He could begin the season in Triple-A, but with nothing left to prove, it may be hard to keep him there for long. Gutierrez's development may be better served in another organization altogether.

2006

The 22-year-old version of Gutierrez was a lot like the 21-year-old version, only with a slightly better Triple-A experience. He'll get more chances in Triple-A in 2006. If he continues to develop, he could be a handy fourth outfielder for Cleveland. The power Cleveland anticipated when bringing him over from the Dodgers in the Milton Bradley deal has evaporated but his selectivity has slightly improved.

2005

Guitierrez, a young, strong outfielder, was the top prospect the Indians received from the Dodgers in the Milton Bradley trade. Gutierrez hit well at Double-A in 2004 before spraining his right elbow and missing most of the second half. He returned to have a good winter ball season in his native Venezuela. Gutierrez runs and throws well and has 30-homer potential. He could develop into Cleveland's right fielder of the future. Gutierrez's main nemesis is his plate discipline. If he stays healthy and improves his selectivity at the plate, he will have a very good career. If he can't progress on that front, he could be Ruben Mateo.

2004

Gutierrez was the Dodgers minor league Player of the Year in 2003. He hit .282 with 28 doubles, 20 home runs, and 68 runs batted in 110 games at high Single-A Vero Beach and continued to hit once promoted to Double-A. He will be a 21-year old Venezuelan with tremendous upside in 2004; monitor his progress.

2003

Signed out of Venezuela as a 17-year-old, Gutierrez is considered by scouts to have tremendous upside. He has serious long ball potential but needs to develop a better eye at the plate and some discipline. The free swinger struck out 88 times last season versus 31 walks in 361 Low Class-A at-bats. He hit .283 with 12 home runs and these totals can be projected upwards once the 20-year-old develops and gets stronger. He’ll begin 2003 in High-A Vero Beach and probably stay the entire year. We wouldn’t expect to see him in the majors until at least 2005.