Bobby Bradley Stats & Scouting Report

AB	69
AVG	.174
OBP	.269
SLG	.304
HR	1

Full name Bobby Bradley
Born 05/29/1996 in Chicago, IL
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Harrison Central
Debut 06/23/2019
Drafted in the 3rd round (97th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2014 (signed for $912,500).

View Draft Report

Bradley, a preseason second team All-American, is one of the headliners out of a strong Mississippi prep class. While the other top position player prospect in the state, shortstop Ti'Quan Forbes, is a toolsy athlete, Bradley will be carried by his lefthanded bat, likely from the bottom of the defensive spectrum. He has the potential to become one of the better prep hitters, with a combination of hit and power, in the class and he hit well on the showcase circuit. Bradley, who has above-average bat speed and a compact stroke, will likely develop at least an average hit tool, and those who like him believe it could be better than that. He has plus raw power that has a chance to play in game action. Bradley has a very strong, physical 6-foot-1, 231-pound build with a powerful lower half. A corner infielder on the showcase circuit, Bradley transitioned behind the plate over the offseason. Bradley showed an average arm and some aptitude receiving, but inexperience makes some evaluators believe his defensive skill set will fit best at a corner infield spot. Bradley, a well below-average runner with below-average first step quickness, is likely ticketed for first base in the long term.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

TRACK RECORD: Bradley has been one of the most productive players in the system since being drafted in 2014, and in 2019 he made his major league debut. He hit at every level along the way to Cleveland, including hitting a career-high 33 home runs in 107 games at Triple-A in 2019. He did not appear in a game for the Indians in 2020 and spent the summer at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bradley's raw power is the best in the system, and he has shown he is adept at getting to it in games. He has a strong, physical frame and creates excellent bat speed that allows him to drive the ball out to all fields. That power comes with a lot of swing and miss, and in Triple-A he struck out in a third of his plate appearances. Bradley is a well below-average runner with an average arm, limiting him to first base.

THE FUTURE: To get a true feel for what he can become, Bradley needs an extended run in the big leagues. The Indians have several more experienced options for first base and DH and breaking through that group won't be easy. Bradley is still just 24 but it feels like 2021 will be a crucial season for him.
TRACK RECORD: Bradley has been one of the most productive players in the Indians' farm system since they drafted him in 2014 and in June he made his Major League debut.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bradley's raw power is the best in the system, and he has shown he is adept at getting to it in games. He has a strong, physical frame and creates excellent bat speed that allows him to drive the ball out to all fields. That power comes with a lot of swing and miss, and even in Triple-A he struck out in a third of his plate appearances. Bradley is a well-below average runner with an average arm, limiting him to first base.

THE FUTURE: Bradley will begin the 2020 season as a 23-year-old who has already gotten a taste of the big leagues. But breaking through to Cleveland's lineup won't be easy. Carlos Santana is signed through 2020 (with an option for 2021), while Franmil Reyes and Jake Bauers are still under long-term team control. Bradley will likely start back in Triple-A and again be in line for a callup if an opportunity arises in Cleveland.
Track Record: Bradley has been one of the most productive players in the Indians' farm system since they drafted him in 2014. He won the Rookie-level Arizona League triple crown that summer by hitting .361 with eight home runs and 50 RBIs. He led the Midwest League with 27 home runs in 2015 and the Carolina League with 29 home runs in 2016, while also collecting MVP honors. He has hit 50 homers over the last two years and in 2018 reached Triple-A Columbus as a 22-year-old.

Scouting Report: Bradley's raw power is the best in the system and he has shown he is adept at getting to it in games. He has a strong, physical frame and creates excellent bat speed that allows him to drive the ball out to all fields. That power comes with a lot of swing and miss, and he has struck out in 25 percent of his plate appearances at Double-A and Triple-A. Bradley is a well-below average runner with an average arm, limiting him to first base.

The Future: After reaching Triple-A Columbus in the second half of 2018, Bradley will return there to start 2019. While the Indians in December traded away Yonder Alonso and Edwin Encarnacion, they also acquired Jake Bauers and Carlos Santana, who both figure to see time at first base. Still, Bradley's opportunity in Cleveland is fast approaching.
Bradley has been one of the most productive players in the Indians' farm system since they drafted him in 2014. He won the Rookie-level Arizona League triple crown that summer by hitting .361 with eight home runs and 50 RBIs. He led the Midwest League with 27 home runs in 2015 and the Carolina League with 29 home runs in 2016, while also collecting MVP honors. Bradley fell short of making it four straight home run crowns, however, ranking sixth in the Eastern League with 23 homers in 2017 as the third youngest player on the circuit on Opening Day. Bradley's raw power is the best in the system and he has shown he is adept at getting to it in games. He has a strong, physical frame and creates excellent bat speed that allows him to drive the ball out to all fields. That power comes with a lot of swing and miss, but he cut his strikeout rate in 2017 from 29 percent to a much more manageable 22 percent, his lowest in full-season ball. Bradley is a well-below average runner with an average arm, limiting him to first base. Bradley will advance to Triple-A Columbus in 2018, where he could take advantage of Huntington Park's hitter-friendly dimensions to again post some big power numbers. He has the potential to become a middle-of-the-order hitter in the major leagues before too long.
Competition in the Mississippi high school ranks is not as stout as in other parts of the South, but that hasn't held Bradley back. He won the Rookie-level Arizona League triple crown in 2014 by hitting .361 with eight home runs and 50 RBIs. He led the Midwest League with 27 home runs in 2015 and hit 29 more in 2016 to top the Carolina League--he also led in RBIs (102) and walks (75)--to claim the circuit's MVP award. Bradley was one of the younger players in his draft class and he has continued to be among the younger players in his leagues. His inexperience has been exposed at times, but his impressive raw tools shine through more often than not. He creates excellent bat speed that turns into prodigious power. Like most young hitters, he gets pull-happy at times, but he can hit the ball out to all fields. Both his strikeout and walk rates improved a touch last season, though he is still learning how to handle advanced offspeed offerings. He is a well below-average runner. Defensively, Bradley has an average arm and is limited to first base. Bradley will advance to Double-A Akron in 2017 for his first exposure to the upper minors. His power gives him the potential to become a middle-of-the-order hitter in the major leagues in time.
The learning curve for Mississippi high school hitters is often steep as they transition to pro ball, but Bradley has had no such trouble. He hit the ground running after the Indians selected him in the third round in 2014, and he helped the Rookielevel Arizona League club claim the title, while winning the circuit's triple crown by hitting .361 with eight home runs and 50 RBIs. He kept hitting as he advanced to low Class A Lake County in 2015, despite an oblique injury that sidelined him for three weeks. His 27 home runs led the Midwest League and were the fourth-most by a teenager in the circuit in the last 50 years. Bradley was one of the younger players in his draft class, but is an advanced hitter with plenty of raw power. He creates excellent bat speed that turns into prodigious power. Like most young hitters, he gets pull-happy at times, but he can hit the ball out to all fields. He has a balancedswing, and keeps the bat in the hitting zone a long time, enabling him to drive the ball the other way. He is aggressive at the plate, but has an advanced feel for the strike zone. Though he struck out nearly 32 percent of the time in 2015, he should be able to cut down on his whiffs as he continues to mature as a hitter and gets used to seeing more offspeed pitches. He is a well below-average runner. Defensively, Bradley has an average arm and is limited to first base. He has improved his glove work in the minors, but all his value is tied to his bat. The Indians promoted Bradley to high Class A Lynchburg for the 2015 playoffs, and he will return to the Carolina League in 2016. He has the potential to be an impact power hitter in the major leagues.
The Indians paid Bradley an over-slot $912,500 bonus as a third-round pick in 2014 to entice him to turn pro rather than go to Louisiana State, and it paid immediate dividends. Despite turning 18 a week before the draft, Bradley became the Rookie-level Arizona League's first triple crown winner since 1989 by batting .361 with eight homers and 50 RBIs. He won league MVP honors and also led the league in slugging percentage (.652). Scouts typically view high school first basemen with heavy skepticism, but Bradley has the tools to overcome the bias. He has plenty of bat speed and impressive raw power from the left side. He knows the strike zone and hits with controlled aggression. His swing is balanced, and he keeps the bat in the hitting zone a long time, while showing a feel for taking balls the other way. Bradley improved his physique between his junior and senior years of high school, and the Indians believe he still can add more strength. He tried his hand at catching as a senior, but the Indians will develop him at first base, though he needs work there as well. He runs well for a first baseman, at least for now. Bradley could be an impact bat down the road, though he'll need time, like all high school players. Provided he keeps up with his conditioning and hits well enough in spring training, he should open his first full season at low Class A Lake County.

Draft Prospects

Bradley, a preseason second team All-American, is one of the headliners out of a strong Mississippi prep class. While the other top position player prospect in the state, shortstop Ti'Quan Forbes, is a toolsy athlete, Bradley will be carried by his lefthanded bat, likely from the bottom of the defensive spectrum. He has the potential to become one of the better prep hitters, with a combination of hit and power, in the class and he hit well on the showcase circuit. Bradley, who has above-average bat speed and a compact stroke, will likely develop at least an average hit tool, and those who like him believe it could be better than that. He has plus raw power that has a chance to play in game action. Bradley has a very strong, physical 6-foot-1, 231-pound build with a powerful lower half. A corner infielder on the showcase circuit, Bradley transitioned behind the plate over the offseason. Bradley showed an average arm and some aptitude receiving, but inexperience makes some evaluators believe his defensive skill set will fit best at a corner infield spot. Bradley, a well below-average runner with below-average first step quickness, is likely ticketed for first base in the long term.

Minor League Top Prospects

Bradley led the IL in home runs and perhaps that was no big surprise. The power always has been there and he’s willing to go to the opposite field so it’s more than one-dimensional. The batting average ticked up a bit and that was one of the things he was working on. The strikeout rate (34 percent of plate appearances) remained out of control and that’s something the Indians might just have to live with. His Clippers coaches have given him praise for adjustments. He puts together professional at-bats, something he’s had to do because pitchers often avoid feeding him fastballs. Bradley has made strides with defense, but he’s still fringe-average at best at first base.
The league's MVP led the way in home runs (29) and RBIs (102) and ranked fifth in slugging (.466). Though he ranked second in the Carolina League with 170 strikeouts, his power and improvements hitting the opposite way are expected to take him far. "He has big-time power," Wilmington manager Jamie Quirk said. "He's obviously a good worker. He's a swing-and-miss guy, but in this day and age, no one cares about that." Opposing managers said Bradley was able to give in a little and hit the ball the other way. He also improved defensively. "He has a ways to go defensively from an athleticism standpoint," Lynchburg manager Mark Budzinski said, "but he has learned a lot about being able to pick throws out of the dirt, field his position, feed pitchers on the 3-1 play and position himself in the right places on relays."
The MWL is a tough place for most players to hit home runs, and four different teams this year failed to compile 50 as a team. Bradley, despite missing 20 games with an oblique injury, put on a season-long power show. His 27 home runs were 11 more than anyone else in the MWL and the fifth most by a teenager in the league's modern-day history, which dates back to 1962, the year it became a Class A league. Bradley's follow-up to his 2014 triple crown in the Rookie-level Arizona League included a whole lot of power, an amazing 11-home run August and plenty of miscues as well. He struck out in 32 percent of his plate appearances and has to improve his contact ability, but some scouts see a future fringe-average hitter once Bradley learns trust his hands more and use the entire field. His walk rate improved late in the year after he toned down his pre-swing load by eliminating a full-body sway for a simpler rock of his hands. At first base, Bradley showed inexperience as he continues to learn the position. His 17 errors ranked first among MWL first baseman and right now he tries to do too much, stretching and trying to pick balls he's just not able to handle.
Bradley signed with the Indians for a bonus of $912,500. His season of historic proportions left scouts wondering how the Mississippi high school product lasted until the 97th overall pick. He won the first AZL triple crown since 1989 and was the offensive catalyst for the league-champion Indians. The lefthanded-hitting Bradley made consistent hard contact, with above-average bat speed and impressive power to all fields. He is strong yet athletic for his size and could get even stronger as he matures. His defense at first base needs work, but he runs well for his size, with his speed out of the box grading as average. "He's been absolutely amazing," Indians manager Anthony Medrano said. "It's been a lot of fun watching him."

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Power Hitter in the Cleveland Guardians in 2020
Rated Best Power Hitter in the Cleveland Guardians in 2019
Rated Best Power Hitter in the Cleveland Guardians in 2018

Scouting Reports

TRACK RECORD: Bradley has been one of the most productive players in the system since being drafted in 2014, and in 2019 he made his major league debut. He hit at every level along the way to Cleveland, including hitting a career-high 33 home runs in 107 games at Triple-A in 2019. He did not appear in a game for the Indians in 2020 and spent the summer at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bradley's raw power is the best in the system, and he has shown he is adept at getting to it in games. He has a strong, physical frame and creates excellent bat speed that allows him to drive the ball out to all fields. That power comes with a lot of swing and miss, and in Triple-A he struck out in a third of his plate appearances. Bradley is a well below-average runner with an average arm, limiting him to first base.

THE FUTURE: To get a true feel for what he can become, Bradley needs an extended run in the big leagues. The Indians have several more experienced options for first base and DH and breaking through that group won't be easy. Bradley is still just 24 but it feels like 2021 will be a crucial season for him.
TRACK RECORD: Bradley has been one of the most productive players in the system since being drafted in 2014, and in 2019 he made his major league debut. He hit at every level along the way to Cleveland, including hitting a career-high 33 home runs in 107 games at Triple-A in 2019. He did not appear in a game for the Indians in 2020 and spent the summer at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bradley's raw power is the best in the system, and he has shown he is adept at getting to it in games. He has a strong, physical frame and creates excellent bat speed that allows him to drive the ball out to all fields. That power comes with a lot of swing and miss, and in Triple-A he struck out in a third of his plate appearances. Bradley is a well below-average runner with an average arm, limiting him to first base.

THE FUTURE: To get a true feel for what he can become, Bradley needs an extended run in the big leagues. The Indians have several more experienced options for first base and DH and breaking through that group won't be easy. Bradley is still just 24 but it feels like 2021 will be a crucial season for him.
TRACK RECORD: Bradley has been one of the most productive players in the Indians’ farm system since they drafted him in 2014 and in June he made his Major League debut.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bradley’s raw power is the best in the system, and he has shown he is adept at getting to it in games. He has a strong, physical frame and creates excellent bat speed that allows him to drive the BA GRADE 55 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 45 Risk: Medium BA GRADE 45 Risk: Medium ball out to all fields. That power comes with a lot of swing and miss, and even in Triple-A he struck out in a third of his plate appearances. Bradley is a well-below average runner with an average arm, limiting him to first base.

THE FUTURE: Bradley will begin the 2020 season as a 23-year-old who has already gotten a taste of the big leagues. But breaking through to Cleveland’s lineup won’t be easy. Carlos Santana is signed through 2020 (with an option for 2021), while Franmil Reyes and Jake Bauers are still under long-term team control. Bradley will likely start back in Triple-A and again be in line for a callup if an opportunity arises in Cleveland.
TRACK RECORD: Bradley has been one of the most productive players in the Indians' farm system since they drafted him in 2014 and in June he made his Major League debut.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bradley's raw power is the best in the system, and he has shown he is adept at getting to it in games. He has a strong, physical frame and creates excellent bat speed that allows him to drive the ball out to all fields. That power comes with a lot of swing and miss, and even in Triple-A he struck out in a third of his plate appearances. Bradley is a well-below average runner with an average arm, limiting him to first base.

THE FUTURE: Bradley will begin the 2020 season as a 23-year-old who has already gotten a taste of the big leagues. But breaking through to Cleveland's lineup won't be easy. Carlos Santana is signed through 2020 (with an option for 2021), while Franmil Reyes and Jake Bauers are still under long-term team control. Bradley will likely start back in Triple-A and again be in line for a callup if an opportunity arises in Cleveland.
Bradley led the IL in home runs and perhaps that was no big surprise. The power always has been there and he’s willing to go to the opposite field so it’s more than one-dimensional. The batting average ticked up a bit and that was one of the things he was working on. The strikeout rate (34 percent of plate appearances) remained out of control and that’s something the Indians might just have to live with. His Clippers coaches have given him praise for adjustments. He puts together professional at-bats, something he’s had to do because pitchers often avoid feeding him fastballs. Bradley has made strides with defense, but he’s still fringe-average at best at first base.
Bradley got off to a poor start to the season in Akron and hit just .114/.202/.228 in April. He’s since bounced back in a big way and he’s produced at about his typical level since the calendar flipped to May and he’s soared back to the top of the Eastern League home run leaderboard. The lefthanded hitter has started to see shifts and lefty specialists deployed against him, which he’ll need to adjust to as he continues to progress in pro ball.
Track Record: Bradley has been one of the most productive players in the Indians' farm system since they drafted him. He won the Rookie-level Arizona League triple crown in 2014 by hitting .361 with eight home runs and 50 RBIs. He led the Midwest League with 27 home runs in 2015 and the Carolina League with 29 home runs in 2016. He fell short of making it four straight home run crowns, however, when he ranked sixth in the Eastern League with 23 homers at Double-A Akron in 2017. Scouting Report: Bradley's raw power is the best in the system, and he has shown he is adept at getting to it in games. He has a strong, physical frame and creates excellent bat speed that allows him to drive the ball out to all fields. That power comes with a lot of swing and miss, but he cut his strikeout rate in 2017 from 29 percent to a much more manageable 22 percent. Bradley is a well below-average runner with an average arm, limiting him to first base. The Future: Bradley will advance to Triple-A Columbus in 2018, where he could take advantage of Huntington Park's hitter-friendly dimensions. He has the potential to become a middle-of-the-order hitter.
Background: Competition in the Mississippi high school ranks is not as stout as in other parts of the South, but that hasn't held Bradley back. He won the Rookie-level Arizona League triple crown in 2014 by hitting .361 with eight home runs and 50 RBIs. He led the Midwest League with 27 home runs in 2015 and hit 29 more in 2016 to top the Carolina League--he also led in RBIs (102) and walks (75)--to claim the circuit's MVP award. Scouting Report: Bradley was one of the younger players in his draft class and he has continued to be among the younger players in his leagues. His inexperience has been exposed at times, but his impressive raw tools shine through more often than not. He creates excellent bat speed that turns into prodigious power. Like most young hitters, he gets pull-happy at times, but he can hit the ball out to all fields. Both his strikeout and walk rates improved a touch last season, though he is still learning how to handle advanced offspeed offerings. He is a well below-average runner. Defensively, Bradley has an average arm and is limited to first base.

The Future: Bradley will advance to Double-A Akron in 2017 for his first exposure to the upper minors. His power gives him the potential to become a middle-of-the-order hitter in the major leagues in time.