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This probably will not come as a surprise to many people, but Bradley Zimmer has officially won our Let’s Go Tribe community vote for the Cleveland Indians top overall prospect. He won with 173 votes, followed by Clint Frazier with 113, then Mike Clevinger in a distant third with 42 votes.
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Zimmer began 2015 playing for the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats, hitting for a .308/.403/.493 slash with 10 home runs and 32 stolen bases in 335 plate appearances. He played in only 78 games at that level before getting his taste of Double-A. He struggled there, hitting for a .219/.313/.374 slash in 49 games.
Scouts love Zimmer’s speed and intelligence above all, but his smooth swing from the left side of the plate does not hurt either. He likely will not be in the Majors until 2017 by the earliest, but once he adjusts to Major League pitching he could be a long-term center fielder for a team that has been searching for such a player for the better part of a decade.
MLB.com has Zimmer ranked as the Indians No. 1 overall prospect, as does John Sickels of Minor League Ball. Both sites love his broad array of skills. Minor League Ball grades him out at a B+, just shy of being an elite prospect, but someone who could easily turn into a great player once he continues to develop and adapt to higher levels.
WHO SHOULD BE THE NO. 2 PROSPECT FOR 2016?
Brady Aiken, SP
2015: DNP
Indians first-round pick in 2015, will not see his first minor league action until after the 2016 season starts. Has a ton of potential if he can return to pre-Tommy John form.
Mike Clevinger, SP
2015 (AA): 158.0 IP, 2.73 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 22.7 K%, 6.3 BB%
Another player placed on the 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 deadline. Acquired from Angels for Vinnie Pestano after missing 2012 and 2013 following a shoulder injury. Could make an impact this season.
Clint Frazier, OF
2015 (A+): 588 PA, 16 HR, 15 SB, .285/.377/.465, 147 wRC+
Obviously outclassing his High-A opponents, could start 2016 in Double-A or Triple-A. Spent time in the Arizona Fall League to work on his approach, still needs to get his strikeout totals down.
Rob Kaminsky, SP
2015 (Cardinals A+): 94.2 IP, 2.09 ERA, 2.51 FIP, 20.1% K%, 7.1 BB%
Acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals midseason in exchange for outfielder Brandon Moss. Features a low-90s fastball, a changeup, and a sharp curveball.
Tyler Naquin, OF
2015 (AAA): 218 PA, 6 HR, 6 SB, .263/.353/.430, 127 wRC+
Former first-round pick whose ranking has slid in recent years due to injury. Could be in the Majors in early 2016 if he can stay healthy in Triple-A.