Bradley Zimmer among eight prospects representing Indians in Arizona Fall League

The preliminary Arizona Fall League rosters were announced today, including those of the Cleveland Indians.

Catcher Eric Haase, shortstop Yu-Cheng Chang, outfielders Greg Allen and Bradley Zimmer and pitchers Trevor Frank, Cameron Hill, Michael Peoples, and David Speer will represent the Tribe on the Mesa Solar Sox.

Top Indians prospect Bradley Zimmer is the biggest name on the list, and he looks like he needs the work right now. The 23-year-old got off to a hot start with the Akron RubberDucks this season and it carried him to a Triple-A promotion after 93 games. At the time of his promotion, Zimmer was slashing .253/.371/.471 with a career-high 14 home runs with the ‘Ducks.

Zimmer started out on fire with the Columbus Clippers as well, but his plate approach is all out of whack in these later stages of the season. He is 1-for-21 in his last seven games, striking out 11 times in the process. His strikeout rate has skyrocketed to 37.1 percent, the highest mark at any level of his professional career.

Zimmer also figures to get some extra work as the Clippers attempt make a run at the Governors’ Cup in the International League playoffs.

Yu-Cheng Chang is a promising 21-year-old shortstop who was a part of the Jonathan Lucroy deal that fell through at the trade deadline. Chang missed a bit of time with a wrist injury. In 104 games with the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats this season, Chang is slashing .264/.337/.474 with 13 home runs.

Greg Allen was another piece of the failed Lucroy trade, and he could turn into a very strong outfield prospect for the Indians. Allen was promoted to the Double-A Akron RubberDucks on July 25. In 141 plate appearances since, he has slashed .308/.414/.436 with two home runs and five stolen bases. Combined, between High-A and Double-A, Allen has swiped 43 bags this season.