Where the Browns stand: Quarterbacks
January 28, 2016Sportsmanship, System of a Down, and The Gloria Record: While We’re Waiting…
January 29, 2016The current rendition of the Cleveland Indians could definitely use more power. In 2015, the Tribe finished 22nd in home runs, with only the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox beneath them from the DH-invigorated American League. Not a single player even reached 20 home runs — Carlos Santana led the team with 19. The team did finish middle of the MLB pack in slugging percentage (16th) and isolated power (19th) due to solid doubles-power from team leaders Michael Brantley (45) and Jason Kipnis (43). However, the Indians’ relative lack of power contributed to a mere 4.1 runs per game, which was 11th in the AL and 18th in MLB.
[Other Paquette and Bode prospect breakdowns: Is Michael Clevinger the next Indians developed ace?]
While the 2016 Tribe must hope the short-term answer lies within Mike Napoli and a healthy Yan Gomes, the long-term answer for the Indians power outage might already be in the system. The Indians have a 19-year-old corner infielder who bats left-handed, fields right-handed, and has the country power of an ox at the plate. Bobby Bradley is not the second incarnation of Jim Thome or Russell Branyan, but he shares attributes with the Indians’ past power prospects.
Even with Bradley being a few years away from sharing his skills as a first baseman with the Indians, it is worth investigating whether he might one day be the player to make those sitting in the Right Field District perk up when he is at the plate. Jim Rickon, the Indians hitting coordinator, was quick to note why fans in all sections beyond the outfield wall better pay attention, saying, “Bobby’s ability to drive the ball out of the ballpark to all fields is one thing that we are very excited about.”
“I’m a down to earth country boy that loves God, his family, and baseball.”
“I’m a down to earth country boy that loves God, his family, and baseball.”
Bradley grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi as a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball and football in addition to his baseball obsession. Even when he played baseball, his overall athleticism allowed him to play nearly everywhere on the field. He logged time at first base, third base, catcher, and outfield, and he pitched until ninth grade.
Bradley attended Harrison Central High School, the same alma mater of former Indian Matt Lawton, and the two developed a relationship. Lawton would mentor Bradley on the process and diligence required to become a professional baseball player during sessions of batting practice at Lawton’s house. The work paid off when the Indians selected Bradley in the third round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft. With a scholarship from college baseball powerhouse LSU in hand, the decision would not seem easy, but the desire to play baseball rather than risk a potential redshirt season won out.
However, there is a major difference between having the talent and realizing it. Seeing results takes an incredible amount of focus and work. “The greatest areas of improvement came in terms of his understanding of preparation and practice intensity,” said Shaun Larkin, 2015 Lake County Captains manager. “He is more than willing to do what is asked of him and he loves to compete.”
In his first professional play in the short season of the 2014 Arizona Rookie League, Bradley’s advanced ability to hit a fastball helped him put up some dominant numbers. In a mere 155 at bats over 39 games, Bradley hit eight home runs, 13 doubles, four triples, and put together a triple-slash line of .361/.426/.652. With those numbers, Bradley won the 2014 Arizona League MVP award.
Big numbers in a rookie league are nice, but the best prospects shine through in a full season of MiLB against more advanced pitching, fielding, and managers utilizing shifts to take away surefire doubles and triples. Bradley was up to the challenge. In his first full season in MiLB for the Single A Lake County Captains, he was named the 2015 Lou Boudreau Award winner as the top organizational position player.
Bradley finished the 2015 season with 27 home runs, 15 doubles, four triples, and even stole three bases (on three attempts), while hitting .264/.357/.518. One of the best indicators for his future potential is that he hit one home run every 15 at bats, which nearly matched the home run every 14 at bats Jim Thome and Russell Branyan had in their respective age-19 seasons.
Bradley’s improvements at the plate came mostly through working on his approach. “He worked hard with hitting coach Larry Day last season at keeping his approach at the plate productive and it helped him to stay on the ball with power to all fields.” said Rickon, the Tribe’s hitting coordinator. Coaches, fans, and scouts all took notice. Larkin said, “The ball explodes off his bat and he captivated players, opposing managers/coaches, and fans of the MWL (Midwest League) this past year.” Those exploding balls off his bat ended up clearing the fence 27 times, even to the deepest parts of the ballparks. “On several occasions,” Larkin noted “he hit home runs to dead center field that most players are unable to do.”
Bradley also used his willingness dig in deep in working on his game to make great strides defensively. He reduced unnecessary movement of both his glove and body. He improved his footwork around the base and used his legs more to improve the arm action in his throwing motion. Bradley worked diligently throughout the season and off-season to improve his strength and agility, which also paid dividends in his improved defense.
Bradley still has a long road ahead of him before he obtains MLB readiness, let alone stardom, but all signs thus far are pointed in the positive direction.
Overall, his desire, work ethic, and confidence to continuously improve are directly associated with the Bible verse he has in the profile of his Twitter account. Philippians 4:13 states “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
When it comes down to it, life is pretty straightforward for Bradley. “I’m a down to earth country boy,” said Bradley, “that loves God, his family, and baseball.”
36 Comments
Corrected:
“In 2015, the Tribe finished 22nd in home runs, with only the World Series Champion Kansas City
Royals and Chicago White Sox beneath them from the DH-invigorated
American League”
Haha, sure rub it in.
You are correct there is more than one way to win and score runs. The Royals did finish with 49 more runs than the Tribe (and 13.5 wins). Their defensive advantage gap hopefully was closed somewhat with the Indians recent moves (both during 2015 and the offseason moves).
With only 16 DH in MLB, it has been perplexing to me how we have not been able to have one the last several years.
Who did KC trot out as DH? Silver Slugger Kendrys Morales with 290/.362/.485 with 22 home runs, 41 doubles and 106 RBIs in 158 games. Oh and on-base-plus slugging percentage .847 good for 27th in AL.
One other interesting note is that mlb.com only lists 5 players as Designated Hitters in Baseball: Ortiz, Morales, Rodriguez, Butler, and Gattis
Tito might have trotted Raburn and Murphy out into the field, but we all know they were DH players.
Also, the Pirates might have put Pedro Alvarez in the field, but the same goes for him.
in 2014 CLE had 142 HR which was 14th on the list (141 in ’15 was 22nd),
’13 – 171 10th
’12 – 136 25th
’11 – 154 17th
They were used for DH, but not really good DHs
Raburn was a Top 10 hitter against LHP in 2015.
Saw Bradley play a game in Eastlake this year, big boy with great power, and strikes out.
There was some good discussion on LGT about consecutive seasons in MiLB. It will be really interesting to see if he spends the whole year in A ball or can get a promo to AA this year. That is a big indicator of MLB potential. Guys that progress a year at a time have a low percentage of making it all the way up. I want to say like 12% but could be wrong. Especially a guy guy who is pure hitter and below average defensively.
Interestingly, saw Swisher and Justus Sheffield in that game as well. Swishers knees are shot, really struggled just walking. Sheffield had good stuff, but seemed like he struggled with consistent motion. There were times in the count where he was flinging his whole body off the mound to get something extra rather than just pitching his pitch. Good night out with the kids.
Should have mentioned it above, but Bradley received a promotion to A+ ball at the very end of last season (only 2 games for Lynchburg Hillcats). Spending a full season with the Hillcats wouldn’t be a bad move though. I’d rather he spend a season there, then a season in Akron and skip Columbus if he were to shortcut his way to MLB.
Murphy wasn’t bad at the plate for his side of the platoon either. If we had posessed a decent RF and actually used those guys as a DH platoon it would have been a much more potent offense.
Of course wasting a platoon on DH is about the most inefficient thing one team can do.
So Bradley might come up to the bigs the year after everyone on the current roster’s contracts expire? #problemsolved
He could be part of the next wave, or he could come up just in time to push the current corps over the top.
It’s January, gotta think positive.
We saw him last summer with a friend of mine who has LC season tickets. He was telling me about Bobby Bradley as the game started. I then saw first hand his raw power as Bradley hit a rope to right field. I was very impressed with his swing and power. Let’s hope he keeps developing. The Tribe needs more like him coming through the system.
No, in January you should be making plans for the season while resources are available. Not just wishing good things will happen.
With the most inefficient being putting a designated walker into the clean-up position.
Carlos take your base! 😉
https://pleatedjeans.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/old-man-with-walker.jpg
Hey, he only takes up 1 roster spot and when he steals 2B, it’s the virtually the same as a double.
I am making plans. Mapping out a visit and buying tickets. I’ve already written about what I think they should do (signing either Freese or A-Jax would be lovely), but not much more that I can do other than hope, which is why we’re doing these prospect posts. Good free time to see what we have down on the farm.
Lol I mean the Indians 🙂
If by virtually the same you mean nothing like 😉
A stolen base can never result in an RBI.
Morales could have been an Indian too think about that for a minute.
But it can result in more runs scored!
Finally something on Bradley thanks Mr. Bode. Add him to the long list of youthful Indians prospects we hope can advance sooner then later.
I know…couldn’t resist 🙂
pitching & defense!
You concede we desperately need power and hope it is ready in 2-4 years 😀
If candys and buts were wishes and nuts then something… something…
GET OFF MY LAWN!!!
Hey, if Tito could concede as much at today’s Town Hall meeting, then so can I 🙂
Sidenote: Danny Salazar, Jeff Manship and Abe Almonte just signed my father in laws bday card…
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/facepalm.gif
Prove it.
I’m gonna get negative on you too, Bode. It seems rare for guys who are power hitters in the minor to translate that power to the majors right away. Don’t they usually need a couple seasons before the power shows up, or is that generally not the case with rookies anymore?
Completely depends on the prospect. Some guys hit for power right away, deal with high SO. Some guys take awhile to get the power to catch up. Some guys are Mike Trout. Well, one guy is.
Usually, there’s an adjustment period and it is mythically bigger for power hitters. I’d have to do a real deep dive to figure out if that is actually the case or not.
lmao ..classic. god i hate cancer santana