/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66173349/1155510617.jpg.0.jpg)
Home-run hitting Bobby Bradley is our No. 15 Cleveland Indians prospect, dropping eight spots from his seventh place 2019 ranking.
It seems prospect fatigue has set in on Bradley, who also was voted the No. 3 prospect in the Indians system in 2018 by LGT readers. The slugger led Triple-A’s International League with a career-high 33 home runs in 2019.
Bradley has been in the Tribe system for near six years now, entering as a third round pick in 2014, when he won the AZL rookie league triple crown. He has never hit less than 23 home runs in a full season.
2019 was a tale of two halves for Bradley. From opening day until he was called up to the Indians to make his pro debut on June 23, he was one of the hottest hitters in baseball. In two and a half months, he blasted 24 home runs with a .292/.359/.638 slash and a wRC+ of 145.
Although Bradley smacked a double in his first MLB plate appearance and crushed the hardest hit home run of the statcast era for Indians hitters, he otherwise struggled with the Tribe, slashing just .178/.245/.356 while striking out in a whopping 40.8% of at bats.
Perhaps worst of all were his struggles after being demoted back to Columbus, where he slashed .214/.320/.441 for the final month and a half of the season with a 36.4% strikeout rate.
Bradley has an opportunity to make the Indians out of Spring Training and will at worst be available for call-up from Columbus if the Indians are in need of a first baseman or a designated hitter at any point in 2020.
Will Benson, OF (Age 21)
2019 (A): 259 PA, .272/.371/.604, 18 HR, 18 SB, 14.3 BB%, 30.1 K%, 172 wRC+
2019 (A+): 255 PA, .189/.290/.304, 4 HR, 9 SB, 12.2 BB%, 28.6 K%, 75 wRC+
Former 1st round pick dominated in his repeat stint at Lake County in 2019, one of only two MiLB players in 2019 to have a 20 HR, 20 SB season (besides Luis Robert). Struggled after midseason promotion, but did post career-low K% at High-A.
Yu Chang, SS (Age 24)
2019 (AAA): 453 PA, .253/.322/.427, 9 HR, 0 SB, 9.2 BB%, 23.7 K%, 88 wRC+
2019 (MLB): 49 PA, .178/.286/.274, 1 HR, 0 SB, 13.1 BB%, 26.2 K%, 50 wRC+
Slowed by injuries in 2019, but made his MLB debut and showcased improved patience against MLB pitchers. Potential full-time utility candidate for the 2020 season with room to grow.
Bryan Lavistada, C (Age 21)
2019 (A-): 240 PA, .335/.408/.483, 2 HR, 3 SB, 10.4 BB%, 11.3 K%, 165 wRC+
2019 (A-): 4 PA, .333/.500/.333, 0 HR, 0 SB, 25.0 BB%, 25.0 K%, 162 wRC+
Converted catcher drafted in the 15th round in 2018 has done nothing but impress both offensively and defensively since making his pro debut. Also threw out 35% of would-be basestealers in 2019.
Angel Martinez, SS (Age 17)
2019 (DSL): 261 PA, .306/.402/.428, 1 HR, 11 SB, 11.1 BB%, 11.1 K%, 134 wRC+
One of the top Indians international signings from 2018, Martinez was the top performer of Tribe DSL players in 2019, showcasing patience at the plate and speed on the basepaths.
Eli Morgan, RHP (Age 23)
2019 (A+): 6 GS, 33.2 IP, 32.8 K%, 4.1 BB%, 1.87 ERA, 2.70 FIP
2019 (AA): 18 GS, 102.0 IP, 24.1 K%, 7.26 BB%, 3.79 ERA, 3.75 FIP
2019 (AAA): 1 GS, 5.0 IP, 9.1 K%, 9.1 BB%, 5.40 ERA, 4.62 FIP
Morgan’s excellent control combined with the best changeup in the Tribe system allowed him to advance three levels in the 2019 season despite a lack of elite velocity. Morgan started extremely strong both in High-A and Double-A, but tailed off as the season wore on.
Luis Oviedo, RHP, (Age 20)
2019 (A): 19 GS, 87.0 IP, 19.0%, 10.5 BB%, 5.38 ERA, 4.41 FIP
Started a career-high 19 games in Single-A last season, but struggled with walks and a lowered strikeout rate. Features one of the best changeups in the Indians system.
Nick Sandlin, RHP (Age 23)
2019 (AA): 15 G, 17.1 IP, 36.0 K%, 10.7 BB%, 1.56 ERA, 3.46 FIP
2019 (AAA): 9 G, 9.0 IP, 29.7 K%, 18.9 BB%, 4.00 ERA, 6.40 FIP
Sidearm-throwing reliever taken in the 2nd round of the 2018 MLB draft. Likely would have made it to the Indians if not for a pair of 2019 injuries, which slowed his ascent through the system.
Ka’ai Tom, OF (Age 25)
2019 (AA): 343 PA, .285/.386/.512, 14 HR, 3 SB, 12.5 BB%, 21.3 K%, 162 wRC+
2019 (AAA): 211 PA, .298/.370/.564, 9 HR, 2 SB, 10.0 BB%, 25.1 K%, 132 wRC+
Breakout 2019 season saw him dominate offensively at both Double-A and Triple-A, nearly doubling his previous career best in home runs. One of few MiLB players with double digit HR, triples and doubles in 2019 (23, 10, 25).
Lenny Torres, RHP (Age 19)
2019 —
Entered 2019 with huge expectations after dominant pro debut as 2018 1st round competitive balance pick, but underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season. Is throwing off the mound and expected to return this season.
Carlos Vargas, RHP (Age 20)
2019 (A-): 15 GS, 77.2. IP, 21.9 K%, 7.4 BB%, 4.52 ERA, 3.36 FIP
Flamethrowing right-handed starter who can approach triple digits with a low to mid-90s slider. Improved control in 2019 saw him get hit more, but showed flashes of brilliance, like final 2019 start with 7.0 scoreless innings.
Poll
Who should be the No. 16 Indians prospect?
This poll is closed
-
14%
Will Benson
-
9%
Yu Chang
-
3%
Bryan Lavistada
-
7%
Angel Martinez
-
11%
Eli Morgan
-
1%
Luis Oviedo
-
7%
Nick Sandlin
-
24%
Ka’ai Tom
-
15%
Lenny Torres
-
4%
Carlos Vargas