Franklin Gutierrez

Despite fighting through injuries the last few seasons -- including ankylosing spondylitis, an arthritic condition of the spine or other joints -- Gutierrez has flashed the ability to look like one of the league's best hitters against left-handed pitching. Though he didn't have a .974 OPS as he did in 2015, he hovered around the top 30 in average exit velocity, per Statcast. Another eye-opener: 47 percent of his contact was of the "hard-hit" variety, per FanGraphs. His career-best 10.2 percent walk rate and stellar .280/.373/.511 slash line against southpaws led the Dodgers to kick the tires and sign him to a one-year contract. The high strikeout rates he's put up in the last three years shouldn't be ignored, which means that .292 average from two years ago looks like an outlier, no matter how hard the heavily pull-leaning hitter connects. The 33-year-old's numerous health woes have made him a below-average defensive option, which makes his undeniable skills against lefties less likely to warrant a large role throughout the season in LA.

Gutierrez was a comeback player of the year candidate last season as he played a five-year high 107 games between Triple-A and the majors. It was quite an achievement for Gutierrez just to stay healthy, as an inflammatory condition, ankylosing spondylitis, has caused him numerous injuries and illnesses the last few years, costing him all of the 2014 season. Gutierrez was called up in late June after posting a .902 OPS at Triple-A Tacoma and went on to hit 15 homers in 59 games with a .974 OPS. He mostly platooned against left-handers (.317 AVG, .973 OPS), both to maximize his productivity (career .658 OPS vs. right-handers) and to limit the wear and tear on his body. He ended up hitting righties pretty well, too, with a .978 OPS, but Gutierrez is slated for the same role this season. He'll platoon in right field with Seth Smith and be used as a right-handed bat off the bench.

Gutierrez missed all of last season with gastrointestinal issues, but he hopes to return this season. The Mariners are willing to bring him to spring training on a minor league invite, but Gutierrez has a lot to prove before he wins a roster spot. Even if he's productive in camp, there's no guarantee he will stay healthy as he hasn't played a full season since 2010. The best-case scenario looks like Gutierrez landing a bench role, but the front office is no longer expecting him to be more than a part-time contributor.

The Mariners couldn't decline a team option on the injury-plagued Gutierrez fast enough after last season. Gutierrez was limited to 41 games last year due to hamstring injuries and multiple setbacks. The 31-year-old has not played 100 games in a season since 2010, but he had 10 home runs last season, showing his potential when healthy. Still enticed by what he might be able to do with a full complement of at-bats, the Mariners re-signed Gutierrez to a low-risk, one-year deal in December and he should compete for the starting job in center field during spring training.

For the second year in row, Gutierrez's season was effectively wiped out because of injuries. Pectoral, foot, concussion and groin issues limited him to 40 games and stamped him with the "injury prone" label for good. Gutierrez has a year left on his contract but heads to spring training perhaps having to win the center-field job. After playing just 132 games the last two years, it might take some time to get back to a productive level. Don't assume a full, healthy season, but keep Gutierrez on the radar just in case things break his way this year. He has skills (though his 18-homer 2009 seems so long ago), he just needs health.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.