By: Jeremy Lawless

Going in to the 2016 MLB season there was a lot of chatter about a certain six-foot 225 pound First Base/DH prospect that ranked third in the Indians Farm System. One that was drafted in the Third round in the first year player draft by the Indians in 2014. A certain player that went on to win the Arizona League Triple Crown that same year. The same player that proceeded to represent the organization as an MiLB All Star in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. A player that has hit no less than 23 homeruns in a season since 2015.

I am talking, of course, about Bobby Bradley. The owner of the following MiLB accolades:

MILB.COM ORGANIZATION ALL-STAR

2015: Cleveland (AL)

2017: Cleveland (AL)

2018: Cleveland (AL)

2019: Cleveland (AL)

POST-SEASON ALL-STAR

2014: AZL Indians (AZL)

2016: Lynchburg (CAR)

2019: Columbus (INT)

MILB.COM INT PLAYER OF THE MONTH

5/2019: Columbus (INT)

MILB JOE BAUMAN HOME RUN AWARD SINGLE A

2016: Lynchburg (CAR)

BASEBALL AMERICA HIGH CLASS A ALL-STAR

2016: Lynchburg (CAR)

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

2014: AZL Indians (AZL)

2016: Lynchburg (CAR)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

6/15/2015: Lake County (MID)

8/3/2015: Lake County (MID)

8/17/2015: Lake County (MID)

8/14/2016: Lynchburg (CAR)

MID-SEASON ALL-STAR

2016: Lynchburg (CAR)

BASEBALL AMERICA LOW CLASS A ALL-STAR

2015: Lake County (MID)

BASEBALL AMERICA MINOR LEAGUE ALL-STAR

2015: Lynchburg (CAR)

MILB.COM MID PLAYER OF THE MONTH

8/2015: Lake County (MID)

BASEBALL AMERICA ROOKIE ALL-STAR

2014: AZL Indians (AZL)

MILB.COM AZL PLAYER OF THE MONTH

7/2014: AZL Indians (AZL)

8/2014: AZL Indians (AZL

Bobby Bradley has hit 147 home runs while in the Indians Farm System, His prospect ranking dropped from #3 in 2016 to #12 in 2020. The only time Bradley has seen in the majors was in 2019 for a 15 game stretch where he hit .178 with 5 doubles, 1 home run, 4 walks and 4 RBI’s in 45 at-bats. Bobby also struck out 20 times.

20 strikeouts in 45 at bats is not great. I get it. But 45 at-bats is not nearly enough to determine if on is ready to face MLB pitching. So why hasn’t Bobby Bradley received more of an opportunity?

He’s not going to wow anyone with his glove skills and the Indians already have Carlos Santana, Domingo Santana and Franmil Reyes who are the “bopper” type. But certainly there has to be a way to get the 24 year old Power lefty some time to adapt to the Majors.

In fact, what else is there left for the kid to accomplish in Columbus? He has led the minors the previous two years, in 2019 and 2018, in home runs. His .254 career average across all levels is pretty standard for the type of hitter he is. 

I guess my question is what are we possibly waiting for? There is no benefit for pigeon holing Bobby Bradley in the Minors and signing re-treads like Domingo Santana to fill the DH role. It is not only not developing Bobby Bradley but also makes other organizations question his trade value. 

One thing is for sure. If the Indians do not drastically change their approach on Bradley, they will be the proud owner of the Minors’ ALL TIME Home Run King.