Power in the Midwest League: Indians prospect Bobby Bradley

The Cleveland Indians drafted first baseman Bobby Bradley in the third round in 2014, out of high school in Gulfport, Mississippi. He had a Louisiana State University commitment but the Indians changed his mind about that with $912,500. Right now it looks like money well-spent.

Bradley won the Triple Crown in the rookie level Arizona League after signing last summer, hitting .361/.426/.652. He hasn't been as spectacular this year, though he's still been effective. Through 85 games for the Lake County Captains in the Low-A Midwest League, Bradley is hitting .255/.341/.491 with 20 homers, 41 walks, and 119 strikeouts in 322 at-bats.

Bradley is a 6-1, 225 pound left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower, born May 29, 1996. He is primarily a pull hitter at this point but he does show power to all fields as his MLBFarm.com spray chart shows.

Bradley needs work on defense (he's committed 14 errors at first base) but the bat is the big attraction here.

Yes, the strikeout rate is elevated and contact could be a problem at higher levels. On the other hand, Bradley is still just 19 years old, he does show enough patience to draw some walks, and within the context of the pitching-oriented Midwest League, he's doing quite well with a wRC+ of 138.

Bradley ranked with a rather aggressive Grade B entering the season. Despite the strikeout issue I'm inclined to maintain that rating entering 2016.