CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians entered this season hoping to win in the present while building for the future. That’s a big reason why they traded Yan Gomes, Yandy Diaz, Edwin Encarnacion and others in the offseason.
Ownership wanted to cut payroll and the front office hoped to do that, while also maintaining the success they’ve had over the previous three seasons.
It didn’t take a baseball genius to see the 2019 Indians’ lineup lacked the power it had last year. Michael Brantley, Yonder Alonso and Encarnacion were all capable of hitting for power. Those players were either traded or signed elsewhere in free agency. Combine that with Jose Ramirez’s struggles and the Indians are one of the worst hitting teams in baseball. The front office has been searching for answers all season. One solution could come from within the organization.
Bobby Bradley, 23, has 16 home runs for Triple-A Columbus. Not only does that lead the team, it’s the most in the International League. He’s second in the league with 43 RBI and has a .291 batting average.
GOODBYE COLUMBUS!!!#TheAssassin Bobby Bradley just took the International League lead in home runs with his 16th blast of the season! It’s 3-0 #ClipShow in the first!#ThisShipRocks⚓️ pic.twitter.com/erZzzHGiBI
— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) June 1, 2019Bradley would arguably have the most power on the Indians’ roster. A case could be made for Francisco Lindor, but he still isn’t 100 percent after suffering multiple leg injuries prior to the season. Ramirez is a shell of himself and isn’t the threat that he was last year.
The Indians promoted Oscar Mercado in the second week of May because Tyler Naquin went down with an injured calf. They’re going to have to make a decision with him, Bradley Zimmer and others who hope to get the call to the big leagues in the next few weeks.
It’s hard to imagine anyone having a better case to get promoted than Bradley. He’s posted a .357 average with seven home runs and 19 RBI in his last 10 games. Inserting him into the Indians’ lineup would give them a legitimate power threat that could hit fourth in the lineup. That spot has been has been a revolving door all season long.
The front office will have a tough decision to make if they do decide to promote Bradley. He could split time with Carlos Santana at first base or be an everyday designated hitter, but that would limit Jake Bauers’ opportunities.
Chris Antonetti and the rest of the front office were extremely high on Bauers when they traded for him. He’s posted a .220 batting average with five home runs and 20 RBI in 55 games. Would they consider sending him down to Columbus? They did it with Jordan Luplow earlier in the season. He’s performed well since returning to the big league club.
Bauers is a big part of the Indians’ future, but is he the odd man out on a team hoping to win the American League Central Division for a fourth consecutive season?
Another option would be moving on from a veteran like Leonys Martin. He’s posted a .219 batting average with seven home runs and15 RBI this season. The Indians have parted ways with Carlos Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez over the past few months. Releasing Martin would free up a roster spot for Bradley, but it would also be a sign that the organization is committed to the youth movement that started in the offseason.
A lineup consisting of Lindor, Mercado, Santana, Bradley and Ramirez has the potential to be dangerous, especially if Ramirez can find a way to break out of his slump.
Bradley is top 10 in the International League in most of the major hitting categories including hits (55), slugging percentage (.619), OPS (.978) and total bases (117).
GOODBYE COLUMBUS!!!#TheAssassin strikes again! Bobby Bradley mashes a solo shot in the top of the seventh! His 15th of the year now ties him for the International League lead in home runs! #ThisShipRocks⚓️ pic.twitter.com/EckJujW5jp
— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) June 1, 2019The Indians didn’t promote Mercado until Naquin went down with an injury. Bradley is forcing their hand. Players like Luplow and Mercado have become significant contributors this season after having success for the Clippers. It appears like Bradley is ready to follow in their footsteps.
The Indians need a power bat in the lineup and they have one waiting for his chance in the minor leagues. It’s a matter of when, not if, Bradley gets his chance to play at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.
