:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48507841/GettyImages-494362098.0.jpg)
Anything looks like a landslide after that Mike Clevinger/Brady Aiken vote, but, in all honesty, this vote was still pretty close. Bobby Bradley lead the way for the majority of voting right from the start, but he was never more than 10 percent ahead of second place finisher Brady Aiken.
Bradley was a third round pick in the 2014 draft and, in only his second career year in the minor leagues, he is already showing tremendous power potential. The 19-year-old hit a Midwest League-leading 27 home runs in for the Class-A Lake County Captains in 2015. His strikeout totals are still an issue (he struck out in 31.8 percent of his at-bats in 2015), but that is something that can easily be worked on and improved as he ages and gets more experience recognizing minor league pitching.
Bradley’s impressive year was enough to earn him the Bob Feller award for being the best position player in the Indians farm system. The outstanding season should be enough for the Indians to start him in High-A playing for Lynchburg Hillcats next season, where he will likely remain unless he severely outperforms his competition. He still is only 19 years old, after all.
MLB Pipeline has Bradley ranked as the Indians top first base prospect, and seventh overall prospect. Minor League Ball has him fourth overall with a B+ grade.
***
WHO SHOULD BE THE NO. 5 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.
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.
Triston McKenzie, SP
2015 (R): 12.0 IP, 0.75 ERA, 1.73 FIP, 39.5 K%, 7.0 BB%
One of two high school pitchers drafted in the first round by the Indians in the 2015 draft. Great fastball that should pick up velocity as he grows into his 6'5" frame. Advanced for his age (19), but not expected to make the Majors earlier than 2019.
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.
Justus Sheffield, SP
2015 (A): 127.2 IP, 3.31 ERA, 2.99 FIP, 24.9 K%, 6.9 BB%
First round pick in 2014, features a low-90s fastball, curveball, and changeup. Potentially undersized at 5'10", but above average off-speed pitches means it may not be an issue.