NE Ohio native Longo invited to big-league camp

Mitch Longo just turned 25, and for the majority of his 20s as an Indians prospect, spring training has consisted of watching from afar as the big-league club works out at other spots of the team’s facility in Goodyear, Arizona.

That’s about to change for the Mayfield High School graduate. He recently received a call from Indians Director of Player Development James Harris with the news Longo is a non-roster invitee to the team’s major-league training camp.

Cleveland invited nine pitchers, three catchers, three outfielders and four infielders among its nonroster invitees.

Longo is pumped about the news. He’s been in Goodyear training for most of January waiting for his teammates while his excitement level builds.

“When I got the call, it was really cool,” said Longo by phone from Arizona. “Just really excited for the opportunity. For (the Indians) to think I can play with these guys gives me more confidence.”

“These guys” meaning the likes of All-Stars Shane Bieber, Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez and others when pitchers and catchers report Feb. 11. The team’s first full workout is Feb. 17.

Longo has spent the past four seasons rising through the Indians’ minor leagues. It started in 2016 with short-season Mahoning Valley, then in 2017 with stops at Lake County and Lynchburg and full seasons with Lynchburg in 2018 and Akron in 2019.

While prepping for those stints, Longo was an observer — not a participant — while the big-league squad did its thing during spring training. This year, though, will provide the outfielder with something definitely different.

“It’s more about a feeling,” said Longo. “It’s more of a presence being around major-leaguers and I want to get more accustomed to that. It’s like Friday Night Lights in football — it’s just more special over there.”

Longo played in 119 games in 2018, and then just 90 last season with Akron while battling injuries. He missed most of May with the Rubberducks because of a back injury. But Longo is hopeful to put together a healthy

season no matter where he begins 2020.

By adding yoga to his regular training schedule, Longo could be on the track to doing just that. He began taking yoga classes two offseasons ago in an attempt to become more mobile.

“It really puts your body in uncomfortable positions,” said Longo. “It’s good for my breathing, and it’s so good mentally and physically. It’s also good for a balance outside of baseball, and I’m actually pretty good at it. I can stand on my head. You name it, I can do it.”

Longo has been solid across the board in the minors since the Indians selected him in Round 14 of the 2016 draft. In 307 career minor-league games, Longo has a .290 batting average with 18 home runs, 124 RBI, 182 runs, 72 doubles and 53 stolen bases.

As an outfielder, he’s played mostly in left but does not have a designated spot. He’s hit mostly in the No. 2 spot in most of his minor-league stints but has also hit in multiple lineup spots. All of which is fine with Longo.

“I will play wherever I can make the major-league club,” said Longo.

How the Indians’ outfield plays out in the spring is a huge question. Besides Oscar Mercado in center field, not much else seems certain. Jake Bowers, Jordan Luplow and Delino DeShields — newly acquired in the Corey Kluber trade — should contend early on for spots.

Bradley Zimmer and Tyler Naquin are recovering from surgery, so perhaps one of the three nonroster outfield invitees — Ka’ai Tom and Connor Marabell will join Longo — could be in the running to make the big-league club out of spring training.