Cleveland Indians left fielder Mike Aviles should really play the outfield more often.
The utility man has spent the majority of his career in the infield, but during Sunday’s game against the White Sox, Aviles got the opportunity to show off what he can do in left field, and he did not disappoint. Making just his 20th career start in left, Aviles and his cannon of an arm made for a jaw-dropping out in the second inning.
After Aviles chased down Gordon Beckham’s deep fly ball down the left-field line for the first out of the inning, he saw Conor Gillaspie taking his time getting back to first base. With his momentum carrying him toward the wall, Aviles amazingly was able to fire off a laser from foul territory to first base to gun down Gillaspie.
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The throw was certainly reminiscent of one of Oakland Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes’ impressive throws, and that comparison didn’t go unnoticed by Indians catcher Yan Gomes after the Tribe’s 3-2 win.
“Hey, scoot over Cespedes,” Gomes said with a grin, via MLB.com. “Now we’ve got Mike Aviles throwing balls like that.”
