CLEVELAND, Ohio – The big-league life brushed against Tyler Naquin on Saturday night at Tribe Fest at Progressive Field.

The day was almost over and he was hungry. Naquin saw Indians Hall of Famer Kenny Lofton walk by and asked for a recommendation on where to eat.

“I said, “Lofton, do you know where a good steak place is?’ said Naquin, the Indians' No.1 pick in 2012. “He said “Come on Naquin, let’s get some steak.’ It was like I knew him for a couple of years.”

Naquin, Lofton and Michael Bourn went to Ken Stewart's East Bank restaurant. If you're into symbolism, it could have been a gathering of the Indians' past, present and future center fielders.

“People kept coming up to him, interrupting dinner,” said Naquin. “You could tell it kind of bothered him underneath, but he still greeted people. Still talked to people.

“What blew my mind is that these random fans were talking to him and he’d say, “By the way, this is Tyler Naquin.’ These people don’t know who I am. That’s Kenny Lofton and Michael Bourn. They have no clue who I am.

“But the fact that he went out of his way to introduce me, meant a lot.”

Later that night Naquin got a call from his father in Spring, Texas.

“He said, “How was your day,’ said Naquin. “I told him, “Dad, can I call you back, I’m eating steak with Kenny Lofton and Michael Bourn.’”

Tribe Fest ended Sunday, but Naquin is still in town taking part in the Indians winter development program. Getting a glimpse of the big leagues is part of the program. So is meeting manager Terry Francona, GM Chris Antonetti, President Mark Shapiro, the training staff and alumni such as Lofton.

"The players who come to the winter development program are the guys we think could help our big-league team this year," said Ross Atkins, Indians director of player development. "There are 15 guys here. I bet five to seven could get called up this year."

Naquin is a top of the order hitter. He played his college ball at Texas A&M and knows Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel. There’s a chance Manziel could be the Browns' choice in the May draft.

“All the athletes used to work out together in the morning,” said Naquin. “I talked to him as a red-shirt freshman. He was like 5-11, 185 pounds. The next thing you know he’s scrambling with the Heisman Trophy on his shoulder.”

Last year, Naquin, 22, hit a combined .269 (142-for-528) with 30 doubles, six triples, 10 homers and 46 RBI at Class A Carolina and Class AA Akron. He scored 78 runs and stole 15 bases in 25 attempts.

Then he went to the Arizona Fall League and made a good impression. Naquin hit .339 (39-for-115) with four doubles, one triple, one homer and 18 RBI in 27 games for the Surprise Saguaros. Surprise won the AFL championship and Naquin was nominated for MVP.

The thing that impressed the Indians most is that starting in mid-season, he changed his batting stance and was successful.

"I worked with Alan Zinter (minor league hitting coordinator) and all the hitting coaches," said Naquin. "When I came into pro ball, I had a real narrow stance, and they spread me out. I was straight up. I dove a lot and hit off my front foot a lot.

“I would get a lot of hits, but they weren’t solid hits. Finally, when I got to the Fall League, I just met it in the middle. I didn’t spread out too much; I didn’t get real narrow. ... I feel I’ve got a real solid foundation.”

In February, Naquin will report to big league camp with the Indians for the first time. He's looking forward to it.

“Right now there are more thoughts in my head than words can express,” he said.