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Indians: 3 players who could be called up and break out in 2021

By Chad Porto

Jul 18, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Valera (91) greets designated hitter Bo Naylor (right) after both players scored runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Indians won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Valera (91) greets designated hitter Bo Naylor (right) after both players scored runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Indians won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 29: Bobby Bradley #40 of the Cleveland Indians walks on the field during an exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark on February 29, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Athletics defeated the Indians 8-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 29: Bobby Bradley #40 of the Cleveland Indians walks on the field during an exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark on February 29, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Athletics defeated the Indians 8-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

1B/DH – Bobby Bradley

With Carlos Santana off to the Kansas City Royals, Bobby Bradley finally has the opening he needs to prove he’s major league ready. Built like Jeff Bagwell, Bradley comes to the plate with a wide frame and a solid swing. Before the pandemic halted the minors, Bradley was having a career year in Triple-A. In 2019, he hit .265 from the plate with 33 home runs, and 74 RBI’s. He was wreaking havoc.

Then he got called up for a brief stint in the summer, where he struggled. He hit only .178 with 1 home run, four RBI’s, across 45 at-bats. It was disappointing. He didn’t see any game time in 2020, instead of being at Lake County all-season working with coaches and being on standby. Now that the season is over, and the regular season will return to being just that, Bradley has an opportunity to step up and stand out.

The Indians need help offensively and a lot of the pieces from last year’s team are gone or going. Tyler Naquin, Cesar Hernandez, and Santana are already gone. Francisco Lindor is on his way out. That’s four starters from a playoff team. Not to mention the rumor that Carlos Carrasco may be traded as well.

These aren’t moves that’ll kill the Indians’ playoff hopes, but they are moves that the Indians need to properly react to. Bradley coming in to take the place of Santana makes sense, and with his talent and ability to drive the ball, he’s going to need to break out in 2021 if the team can complete offensively.

Next. Cleveland Indians: 4 players in Tribe history that should’ve won AL MVP. dark

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