With Michael Brantley expected to miss the first month of the season, Tyler Naquin is vying to be the starting center fielder for the Cleveland Indians on Opening Day.

Abraham Almonte was the leading candidate for the job until he was suspended 80 games for failing a drug test that reveled performance-enhancing drugs.

Baseball America ranks Naquin as the No. 6 prospect in Cleveland's system. He is believed to be in competition for a spot in center with Collin Cowgill, Joey Butler, Will Venable, Robbie Grossman, Michael Choice and Shane Robinson.

"You can't just sit here and say, 'He needs to hit .300, he needs to do this,'" Terry Francona said. "Some of it is that guys in that situation, obviously they need to have a good showing in camp. I think that's stating the obvious. But then it needs to fit, too."