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The Cleveland Indians have officially promoted former first-round pick Bradley Zimmer, the team announced on Twitter.
Roster moves:
— #VoteTribe 5x a day (@Indians) May 16, 2017
Purchased contract of Bradley Zimmer from CBus
Shawn Armstrong recalled
Abe to 10-day DL
Yandy optioned to CBus
Frias DFA pic.twitter.com/CmbyS80kr0
Zimmer, 24, was ranked as the Indians’ top overall prospect by MLB.com the last three seasons (in 2015 only after Francisco Lindor was promoted). His overall stock may be slipping lately due to strikeout concerns, but the outfielder has shown the ability to draw walks in the minors, and a bat that can produce home runs at the major-league level — enough to warrant a 55 raw power and a 50 game power rating from FanGraphs on a traditional 20-80 scouting scale.
Though he started 2017 slowly, Zimmer took off with the Columbus Clippers and was riding an eight-game hitting streak before getting the call. With the injury bug ravaging its way through the Indians outfield, Zimmer figures to slot in right away at center field, or maybe even a corner outfield spot if Terry Francona loves Lonnie Chisenhall in center field for some weird reason.
Welcome to the bigs, Bradley! Or should we call you Brad?