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5 Cleveland Indians Top Prospects Deserving Of A Promotion

By Eric Pitcher

Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World infielder Alex Bregman (2) slides into third base with a triple past World infielder Yandy Diaz (left) in the first inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World infielder Alex Bregman (2) slides into third base with a triple past World infielder Yandy Diaz (left) in the first inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A bat rests inside a baseball glove at an MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A bat rests inside a baseball glove at an MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Bradley Zimmer, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, OF, Akron Rubberducks

Bradley Zimmer is the No. 1 ranked prospect in the Cleveland Indians minor league system.

He was drafted 21st overall in 2014. With his natural clean and controlled swing, Zimmer makes driving the ball to every part of the park look easy.  With his speed, a ball hit in the gap can easily go from a double to a triple.

Last season Zimmer stole 44 bases in 51 attempts across two levels of the minors, and this year, he continues to do the same.

Through 42 attempts in 2016, Zimmer stole 30 bases.

With his combination of strength and speed Zimmer, can easily become a 20-20 guy for the Indians, which means he could hit 20 home runs, while stealing 20 bases.

After a brief stop in Mahoning Valley, Zimmer started the 2015 season with Class A Lynchburg, where he was as hot as any player could be. At the time of his promotion to Class AA Akron, Zimmer led the league in stolen bases (32), runs scored (60), and OPS (.896). He was also second in batting average (.308) and was tied for second in home runs (10).

Zimmer’s 2016 crusade hasn’t been as good as his first two pro seasons, but he’s still managed to be an impactful player. He’s still hitting for power (14 home runs) and riving in runs (50 RBIs). He’s also continued his trend of being a menace on the base baths, scoring 49 runs, despite only hitting .242.

Zimmer will probably spend the rest of this season with Akron, while he’ll most likely open up 2017 playing for Class AAA Columbus.

He hasn’t been the firecracker we saw in his first two minor league stops, but so much of the minor leagues is about making adjustments, and Zimmer’s had to that in the Eastern League, where the pitching is usually very strong.

Fortunately, Zimmer’s been better of late, batting .297 in his last 10 games entering July 11 and he was named to the Eastern League All-Star team.

It’s not totally out of the question to see Zimmer in the big leagues at some point in 2018 and it wouldn’t hurt to see what he could do at the next level with the Clippers.

Next: Yandy Diaz

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