Franmil Reyes seeks more consistency after first 'full' season with Indians

During the first week of the exhibition season, Franmil Reyes launched a mammoth home run that struck the bottom of the left-field scoreboard at Goodyear Ballpark. Cleveland hopes to see that power display on a more consistent basis when the games actually count. Reyes appeared poised to have a big year in 2020 after an impressive performance during the first half of spring training. But after COVID-19 suspended the exhibition season and shortened the regular season, he started slowly, failing to hit a homer in his first 10 games and just two in his first 18 while striking out in bunches. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Reyes caught fire after the first week in August, finishing the month with a .313 batting average, seven homers and 22 RBIs. He opened September with hits in eight consecutive at-bats, including a homer, but went back in the tank with a long-ball drought that spanned 23 games and didn't end until the season finale on Sept. 27. "Something that got me just a little bit off when I was hitting very good was that I got comfortable," said Reyes, who was acquired from San Diego in 2019 as part of a three-team trade that sent last year's Cy Young award winner Trevor Bauer to Cincinnati. "I stopped doing my routines and stuff like that because I was like, 'OK, I got this.' I won't do that anymore. When I start feeling good like that, I'm just gonna keep working harder and harder. "A perfect season for me would be just to learn and to do the things that I didn't do last year, do whatever I have to do to get wins for my team. That's all that matters to me right now, man." The Indians are going to need Reyes' production more than ever this year after parting ways with two top offensive weapons in superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor and first baseman Carlos Santana this offseason. Manager Terry Francona believes Reyes, who hit 37 homers with the Padres and Indians two years ago, is up to the task as long as he keeps his big right-handed swing under control. "I do think if he stays with the middle-of-the-field approach, it doesn't mean he has to hit in the middle of the field," Francona said. "Remember when he got real hot last year, he was lining balls to right field and then they'd make a mistake and he'd whack it. "If he gets himself in a position where he can cover the plate, he is going to hit more than he would if he's just trying to pull the ball." Lindor was Cleveland's best player. Replacing him in any way will be difficult, if not impossible. "I knew it was gonna happen, but when we got the news and we received that message from Frankie in our text group, it was kind of tough," Reyes said of Lindor's trade to the Mets. "But we have to move on, you know, and work hard and keep winning baseball games. We know we're gonna be all right." Though Reyes would prefer to play outfield, his defensive limitations point to him spending the season as the regular designated hitter. "When you're in the outfield and you make an incredible play and you come to hit in that inning, that sensation, the way you feel is different than just sitting there and watching the game," said Reyes, who made one start in left field last year. "It's not the same. But when you're sitting there, you know you have to do your thing to be ready for your at-bat. "I'm one of those guys, I'll take whatever it takes for us to win. I'll honestly do whatever they want me to do. If they want to just leave me there at DH, I'm OK with that. If I have to be in the outfield, I know I can do my job. If they want to put me 11th (in the batting order), it's fine with me. I know we're all gonna do our jobs whatever spot they have us. Let's leave Tito to do his job. We all know he's the best." Reyes, 25, thinks he is prepared to give Cleveland the best, more consistent version of himself when the club needs him the most this year. "I feel I'm in a great spot," he said. "I am in my green-light spot right now. I feel great. I can't wait until the season. "Honestly, every year I say I'll take whatever God gives me. Whatever happens is going to happen. If I could control where the ball is going to land, probably a 1.000 average, right? I can control being ready for every at-bat and trying to hit the ball on the barrel every time. "Wherever it lands, I know it's going to be doing a lot of damage." Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CAwesomeheimer on Twitter.