5 Notes from Indians vs Reds 4-4 Tie

The Tribe faced the Cincinnati Reds for the second time in two days in Goodyear, Arizona on Wednesday afternoon. The game ended in a 4-4 tie after nine innings.

The Tribe faced the Cincinnati Reds for the second time in two days in Goodyear, Arizona on Wednesday afternoon. The game ended in a 4-4 tie after nine innings.

Several players made their Spring Training debuts for the Indians and another candidate for the number five spot in the rotation made a good first impression.

Here are five takeaways from the Tribe's tie.

1. Cody Anderson Off to a Great Start

Right-hander Cody Anderson began his case to make the rotation as the number five starter by getting off to as great a start as anyone could hope for.

Anderson pitched two shutout innings, striking out one, and did not allow a runner to reach base.

We won't read too much into this, but compared to how Josh Tomlin and T.J. House struggled in the Cactus League Opener, it was a great way to open up camp.

2. Napoli's Tribe Spring Training Debut

One of the Tribe's biggest off-season acquisitions, Mike Napoli, started at first base and went 2-for-3 with two singles, scoring a run.

The 34-year-old is likely to split time between designated hitter and first base in 2016. Napoli hit .224 with 18 home runs and 50 RBI in 2015, but Tribe fans should be even more encouraged by how he finished the season, hitting .295 in the final 35 games with the Texas Rangers after being traded from Boston. He hit just .207 in 98 games with the Red Sox.

If Napoli can pick up where he left off at the end of 2015, he could be an impact bat in a lineup that struggled to produce runs in much of 2015 and is without two key contributors (Michael Brantley and Abraham Almonte) to start the season.

3. Kipnis and Lindor Take the Field

Two of the Tribe's stars, Francisco Lindor and Jason Kipnis, took the field for their Cactus League debuts on Wednesday. Kipnis drew a walk in his first trip to the plate and stole a base, finishing the day 0-for-2.

Lindor went 1-for-3 with a single.

These two players are centerpieces of the franchise and could be one of the best middle infield combinations in all of baseball in 2016. Kipnis made the All-Star Game for the second time of his career in 2015, hitting .303 on the season.

Lindor was second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 and is already one of the best shortstops in the league. If Lindor and Kipnis can build upon their success in the second half of 2015, they both should be All-Star candidates in 2016.

4. Aguilar and Ramirez Provide some Pop

Jose Ramirez was in the starting lineup at third base on Wednesday and launched a solo home run in the fifth inning, going 1-for-3 on the day.

Ramirez will be expected to fill the role of super utility-man, something Mike Aviles was known for the past two seasons, before signing with the Detroit Tigers.

Expect Ramirez to play some third base, shortstop, second base, left field, and even center field throughout Spring Training. Don't expect too many homers, but every so often he can surprise fans, like he did six times in 2015.

A player more known for his power is First Baseman Jesus Aguilar. Aguilar showed that on Wednesday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI double. He doesn't have great odds of making the team because of the Tribe's first base depth with Carlos Santana and Napoli, but Aguilar is not far down the list should the Tribe need someone to step in.

The 25-year-old went 6-for-19 in 7 games at the end of the 2015 season and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him back in Cleveland at some point in 2016.

5. Monitoring the Outfield Situation

The Tribe's outfield situation going into Opening Day is far from clear. Rajai Davis and Tyler Naquin started in left and center field in the Cactus League Opener on Tuesday. Collin Cowgill made the start in right field and Robbie Grossman started in center for the Tribe on Wednesday.

Cowgill went 0-for-3 while Grossman went 1-for-2 with a triple.

Cowgill is considered one of the better candidates to make the team, due to his five years in the league, but Grossman has MLB experience as well, playing in parts of three seasons with the Houston Astros.

Grossman might be one of the long shots to make the club. He hit .143 in 24 games in 2015, but he hit .268 in 2013. In 2014, Grossman hit .233 over the course of 103 games.

Although he isn't a favorite by any means, hitting a triple in his first Spring Training game is a good way to get noticed, and having some MLB experience makes Grossman a candidate to watch in March for a team with a couple of question marks in the outfield.

Joey Butler made a brief appearance towards the end of the game, drawing a walk in his only plate appearance and finishing the game in right field. Butler hit .276 with Tampa Bay in 2015 and is another candidate to make the team.

The Tribe will face the Reds for a third-straight day Thursday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3:05 PM ET.