Bobby Bradley among Top 10 first base prospects

Cleveland Indians first base prospect Bobby Bradley checks in at number seven on MLB.com’s Top 10 first base prospects list.

Bobby Bradley is ranked number seven among first base prospects on MLB.com. Bradley was no in the Top 10 to prior to last season.

Everyone should know the story with Bobby Bradley by now. Tremendous power potential, but a strikeout machine. Bradley has struck out 122 time for more in every full minor league season. That’s six seasons worth of 122+ strikeouts. There are three years where the 150 strikeout threshold has been crossed (2015, 2016, 2019). Bradley struck out 148 times in 2018, just barely missing a fourth 150 strikeout season.

Blocked on the MLB level

At this moment in time Bobby Bradley is blocked from the Major League roster. Carlos Santana has first base on lockdown, (although he is a free agent after the season). The Indians are not going to bump Santana from playing the field (something he prefers) to accommodate the unproven Bradley. So that leaves the designated hitter position. That is occupied by Franmil Reyes. Reyes is not great defensively and his best suited as a designated hitter. Reyes spent all but three games as Cleveland’s DH after being acquired last season and it was not because the Indians outfield group was stellar by any means.

Barring an injury to Santana or a massive improvement defensively from Reyes, Bradley could spend quite a bit of time in Columbus in 2020. If Bradley hits in Spring Training that could change things. Bradley’s 15 game stint in Cleveland did not go as planned. Bradley went 8-45 with five doubles and one home run but 20 struck out 20 times. The doubles and home run were exciting, but his .178/.245/.356 slash line was not.

How the Cleveland Indians handle their outfield situation could have a direct impact on Bobby Bradley in 2020. If Reyes is needed in the outfield that opens up the DH spot for Bradley. If Cleveland acquires an outfielder that takes the spot off the table. Where Bobby Bradley will play in 2020 is truly a mystery.