Cleveland Indians: Austin Jackson can revive his career in Cleveland

Austin Jackson has made the Cleveland Indians’ Opening Day roster, meaning he will have a chance to revive his career in 2017.

The Cleveland Indians are set to open the season in just over a week, which means the Opening Day roster is beginning to take shape. That continued Sunday when the team announced several moves.

There aren’t many surprises on that list, with the most notable move being Austin Jackson making the Opening Day roster.

Jackson’s fate was up in the air throughout March. His chances of making the final roster seemed to be tied to whether Michael Brantley would be ready for the start of the season, but a recent injury to Lonnie Chisenhall may have ultimately opened a spot for the veteran.

Chisenhall and Brantley may still be ready to play on Opening Day, meaning Abraham Almonte may be the odd man out when it comes to the outfield, although any injuries will open up a spot for him in Cleveland.

Jackson getting a spot on the 25-man roster is interesting given his recent past. He has never been a bad player, but a knee injury that cut short his 2016 season was a bad sign for a player who is now 30 years old.

However, Jackson’s MLB experience and history as a reliable outfielder give him this spot over a player like Bradley Zimmer, who still needs some time to improve on several aspects of his game before he is able to dominate at the major league level.

Jackson’s problem has been strikeouts. Aside from his injury-shortened 2016 season, Jackson’s career-low in strikeouts in a season is 126, which came in only 136 games in 2015. Compare that to 170 strikeouts in 151 games in 2010 and 181 strikeouts in 153 games in 2011, and the problem has been there throughout his career.

Related: Chisenhall latest to go out with injury

Yet those stats came from when he was an everyday player. Perhaps a platoon situation will allow Jackson to fix his problems on offense. A slump may not be as severe, while he should be able to take time to scout future pitching as opposed to focusing on each day’s opposing starter.

The Indians are looking to replace the solid play and experience of Rajai Davis, and Jackson seems to fill that role. The center field platoon with Tyler Naquin can continue, while Jackson also gives the team depth at any of the three outfield positions.

Next: 10 bold predictions for the Indians in 2017

In a year when the team wants to ease Brantley back into action, outfield depth is needed. Jackson has his flaws, but he should serve as a reliable option all season long. He may not hit a game-tying home run in Game 7 of the World Series, but he will do enough to earn his spot on the roster.