Bradley Zimmer has been plagued by injuries and poor performance throughout his career, but the recent streak at the plate could result in a roster spot next season.
Through the first 34 games of the 2021 season, Bradley Zimmer was not impressive by any means and it certainly appeared that his time in a Cleveland uniform would certainly end at the end of the season. With a WRC+ of just 83 and a slash line of .207/.361/.241 and an OPS of .602, there was not really a whole lot to like about his performance. Only two of Zimmer’s 18 hits went for extra-bases and striking out 40 times in 87 at-bats was not necessarily all that impressive. But something has happened since those first 108 plate appearances.
Bradley Zimmer looks like a different player in the box and the numbers prove it. The once highly regarded outfield prospect has seven extra-base hits (four home runs, three doubles) in 70 at-bats. Zimmer has 21 hits and four walks in 76 plate appearance with a WRC+ of 134 and a slash line of .300/.351/.514 and a OPS of 865. Additionally, 11 of his 20 RBI and 11 of his 22 runs scored have come during this span.
While it is only 21 games (July 7 – August 9), this is the type of promise that has not been seen with Bradley Zimmer in quite some time. Injury after injury derailed any potential growth and when he was able to play the results simply were not there. It is certainly possible that this is merely a simple hot streak, but it could also be signs of finally figuring things out at the plate.
As far as the future is concerned, Bradley Zimmer doesn’t have to be a superstar or even above average starter. As long as he does not completely crater down the stretch while providing something close to average play in the outfield it could make a difference in the front office’s plans for Zimmer. Being able to provide some level of consistency in the outfield would go a long way for a club that has struggled to find answers for quite some time.
