Franklin Gutiérrez‘s story is an unbelievably compelling one. To battle back from his ailments— an illness that forced him out of baseball completely in 2014—and contribute in a significant way in 2015 was an incredible feat.
But one of the most interesting aspects of it all is the transformation he’s made as a player.
When Gutiérrez was acquired from the Indians prior to the 2009 season, it was as a defensive ace—another in the line of strong center fielders to roam Safeco Field. He did that and then some. According to the numbers, UZR specifically, it was the best defensive year a center fielder had put up since 2002, and has since.