Cleveland Baseball Insider

"He's Too Important To Our Future:" Guardians To Give Gabriel Arias More Playing Time

The Cleveland Guardians are willing to play Gabriel Arias in the outfield in order to get him more at-bats.

Tommy Wild

"He's Too Important To Our Future:" Guardians To Give Gabriel Arias More Playing Time
"He's Too Important To Our Future:" Guardians To Give Gabriel Arias More Playing Time /
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The Cleveland Guardians rolled out an unconventional lineup on Saturday evening. Gabriel Arias was one of the team's starters, but not in the infield. He ran out from the dugout, passed the infield dirt, stopped in right field, and took his position.

Arias hasn't played the outfield yet this season, but it is something he's done in Spring Training and in the minors. This is a position that fans should get used to seeing Arias playing because they could see a lot more of it moving forward.

Terry Francona made it clear on Saturday that Arias needs more playing time and it didn't matter what position it was at. He said, 

"We need to get Arias some at-bats. He's too important to our future, and he hasn't swung the bat great, but we've got to find some ways to get him some at-bats. So, we'll work him into that mix in right field too.

Arias had a fantastic Spring Training but hasn't been able to translate to the regular season. He's hitting .171 and only has seven hits on the season. 

These numbers are hard to look at face value considering the few at-bats he's gotten this season. Arias had just 41 plate appearances this season which is the second-lowest for a player that was on the Opening Day roster. The only player with fewer at-bats is Cam Gallagher who has 27.

Now with Oscar Gonzalez being sent down to Columbus, there will be an opportunity for Arias to play more in the outfield when Will Brennan isn't playing.

Arias still has a ton of potential whether that be in the infield or the outfield. However, we'll never see that full potential if he's not playing so it's good the team is making a conscious effort in getting him into the game.

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Photo Credit © Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

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Tommy Wild
TOMMY WILD

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