GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Hands down, Grady Sizemore has been considered the Indians’ best overall player. Now he’s got some competition. If there’s a member of Cleveland’s projected starting lineup that best personifies a five-tool player, it is South Korean outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who appears poised to have a breakout season after putting up impressive numbers in 2009. Choo, 27, was not in the lineup Thursday for the Indians’ 6-2 victory over the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark, but has played well this spring, batting .375 (9-for-24) with a double, triple, home run and six RBIs in eight exhibition games.
“Choo’s a great all-around player,” designated hitter Travis Hafner said of the Indians’ starting right fielder. “He does everything on the baseball field well. And the thing is I think he’s just tapping into his potential. He had a great season last year, hitting .300 and hitting some home runs (20), but I think he’s just kind of scratching the surface of what he can do.
“He’s got tremendous power. I think you’ll even see his home run totals go up more the more he learns pitchers and learns how to drive the ball with more consistency.”
The Indians got a front-row view of Choo’s potential in his first full season in the majors last year. Offensively, he hit .300 with 20 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 86 RBIs in 156 games. He was one of just four players in the majors — Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, Arizona’s Justin Upton and Florida’s Hanley Ramirez — to bat .300, hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases. He was the first Asian-born player to accomplish the feat.
Cleveland’s Shin-soo Choo hits an RBI-double during a game last season against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The right fielder is becoming one of the Indians’ top players at the plate and in the outfield.
Defensively, Choo has one of the strongest arms in the majors, posted a .979 fielding percentage and ranked fourth in the American League with 11 assists.
“I put up some good numbers,” Choo said. “After the season, I got a lot of confidence in myself, but I still need to work on everything. I think I need to be more aggressive, not just on offense, but defense, too.”
Still, Choo’s goals this season are less than modest ones. He expects to provide the Indians with a repeat performance from last year, if not better. Many believe he has the ability to bat .300 and hit 30 homers with 30 stolen bases.
“Always my first goal is .300,” said Choo, who was limited to 94 games in 2008 after Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, but still hit .309 with 14 homers and 66 RBIs. “The power’s coming. The home runs are automatic, so I don’t think about hitting home runs.”
Cleveland manager Manny Acta opened camp by moving Sizemore down to the second spot in the batting order, while replacing him with Asdrubal Cabrera at leadoff. There was discussion over whether Choo should hit clean-up rather than Hafner, but Choo has been batting third this spring, and he’s happy with where he’s at.
“I know I’m not fourth spot,” Choo said. “My favorite spot is three. Four hitter is only power. Three-hole does everything, run, hit for power.”
That’s what the Indians are counting on from Choo this season.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or ctsports1@yahoo.com.
