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Labeled phenom at 15, reaching major leagues did not come quickly
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Feb 21, 2008
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: The only thing Franklin Gutierrez wanted to do was play baseball.
Lord knows, major-league clubs were all too willing to give Gutierrez a contract, and never mind that he was only 15 or 16 and still a schoolboy in Caracas, Venezuela.
''They wanted me to sign when I was 15,'' he said Wednesday. ''I think it was the Yankees and then Oakland, but my father said no. He said I had to graduate, then I could do what I wanted.''
Gutierrez listened to his father, Franklin, but since has discovered it's not always easy to do what you want. He went from phenom as a minor-leaguer with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the early part of the decade to failed prospect, floundering in the Indians' farm system at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Buffalo.
Last year, the light went on. After brief trials with the Tribe in 2005 and 2006, when his at-bats were characterized mostly by a tentative swing, Gutierrez began hitting the ball with authority in 2007. He compiled a .266 batting average with 13 doubles, 13 home runs, 36 RBI and eight steals in 271 at-bats.
''I think I gained more confidence from being with the team,'' he said. ''Just knowing the guys better helped. And I got a chance to play (regularly), which was very important. The first time I got called up, I didn't know anything about the team. By last year — it was my third year here — I felt great.''
Gutierrez came to spring training this year as the odds-on favorite to be the club's everyday right fielder. If he completes that mission, he would fulfill his childhood dream, one his father nurtured.
''The person outside the game who has helped me most is my father,'' Gutierrez said. ''He always told me how good I was but that I could do better. Even now, he always has something to say to me, bad or good.
''When he feels he has to say something, he will call. He knows me; he knows my swing. When he tells me something, he's usually right. But he doesn't just talk about baseball. We can talk about anything.''
The elder Gutierrez played baseball but not as a professional. Thanks to cable TV, he can watch his son play from Caracas. He and Gutierrez's mother, Leida, have traveled to the United States in each of the past three years to watch him play in the majors and the minors.
''My mother likes baseball a lot,'' Gutierrez said. ''She watches the games, but she doesn't know that much. She just likes to see me play.''
The Tribe acquired Gutierrez for Milton Bradley in April 2004 from the Dodgers, who signed Gutierrez as a 17-year-old for $80,000.
''When I was that age, I didn't know anything about money,'' he said. ''My father told me the offer. He said it wasn't the greatest offer, but it was OK and asked me if I wanted to play. I told him I did, that I could make more money later.''
That was almost eight years ago. Now, at 25, Gutierrez is out of options, but for a change, that limitation on the club does not appear to matter, because he virtually is assured of a roster spot.
''Franklin has earned everyday at-bats,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ''I don't look at him as playing seven days as week, maybe not even six. But he will get consistent at-bats.''
Gutierrez isn't taking anything for granted.
''I don't know if I have the job for sure,'' he said, ''but I think I have a good chance to keep right field.''
One thing Wedge likes about Gutierrez over and above his native ability is the way he has overcome obstacles and accepted new assignments. Three years ago at Akron, Gutierrez was asked to concentrate much of his effort on hitting breaking pitches. The learning process was painful, especially when Gutierrez peeked at his sinking numbers. Eventually the work paid off.
In 2007, Wedge presented him with another test: learn to play left field. Gutierrez already was an accomplished center fielder and right fielder who has an inventory of great catches on his resume despite his inexperience.
''Last year, he needed to get more comfortable in left field,'' Wedge said. ''He attacked that (challenge) and did it.''
It is difficult to define exactly what kind of hitter Gutierrez eventually will become. He will hit home runs and drive in runs, but probably not enough to bat fourth or fifth. He also can run, but he isn't likely to lead the team in steals, and last year he struck out too often and walked too little to be considered as a leadoff threat.
''If Franklin's focus is on putting up good at-bats,'' Wedge said, ''the rest will take care of itself.''
Gutierrez isn't concerned about where he bats in the lineup or how he is characterized as a hitter.
''I had to make a lot of adjustments before last year,'' he said. ''I feel like I've improved a lot. I know I can play at the major-league level. I know I belong here.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: The only thing Franklin Gutierrez wanted to do was play baseball.
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