• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

3 Reasons Indians Fans Should Be Thrilled About Bobby Bradley

By Steven Kubitza June 8, 2021 @kubitzawrites

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Bobby Bradley (40) celebrates as he crosses the plate after hitting his first career home run during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians on July 13, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

 

The inevitable finally happened over the weekend when Bobby Bradley was called up to take over first base for the Cleveland Indians.

That meant Jake Bauers was designated for assignment, ending a tenure that lacked promise from the start.

This is not Bradley’s MLB debut so he should be settled in a bit more than a true rookie.

He launched a home run in Sunday’s blowout loss, providing hope that he can be a long-term piece at the position.

That may be a lofty goal after a few at-bats, so let’s just say there is hope he can hold down the position for at least a few months.

Bradley is finally here and several things about the situation should have fans excited.

The one positive from today: Bobby Bradley just launched his first homer of the year. He's 3-for-4 with a double, single and a homer.

— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) June 6, 2021

 

3. His Home Run Ability

Bradley has always been hyped as a slugger in waiting.

He hit 156 home runs in his minor league career and had nine in only 26 Triple-A games so far this season.

The real problem for him has been strikeouts.

However, his minor league OPS of .842 is a promising sign.

The Indians can live with strikeouts if Bradley is still getting on base and slugging at an above-average clip.

The main question with players like Bradley is if they will fall into the dreaded “Quad-A” area.

Indians fans have seen plenty of top prospects falter at the MLB level.

Big fly for Bobby Bradley!@b_bradley_44 | #OurCLE pic.twitter.com/7zUsqMAVHT

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) June 6, 2021

But few showed up with the power bat of Bradley and his bomb Sunday proves he brought his home run abilities up with him form Columbus.

 

2. Finally Witnessing The Hype

Bradley is 25 years old and has been in the organization since 2014.

That means fans have been hearing all about him for years and years.

While the Indians were competing for a World Series, Bradley was slowly making his rise as the first baseman of the future.

Indians fans did get a brief glimpse of him in 2019, but he only appeared in 15 games and was never given a proper shot to hold down the job.

Now everyone can see if Bradley truly deserves a spot with this team.

Keeping him in the minors only delays the necessary evaluation of him at the MLB level.

 

1. A Much-Needed Change

Bauers was just not cutting it and a change was needed.

The fact he was out of minor league options may have been what led the team to keep him around in the first place, just in case he had a breakout year.

But another negative-WAR start to the year was all the team needed to see.

The Indians were patient with Bauers as he was once a nice piece in a trade.

Bradley, however, is a homegrown talent with far more upside and power.

It is fair to say Bauers was put at a disadvantage from the start.

Then came the wiped out 2020 minor league season.

If the Indians were not contending, there may be more patience.

But the playoffs are a realistic goal this season and struggling players cannot continue to get at-bats.

Thus, it is Bradley’s time to shine now.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily), Cleveland Indians News And Rumors (Updated Daily) Tagged With: Bobby Bradley, cleveland indians

About Steven Kubitza

Steven has been an Indians fan since the day he was born. Lucky enough to not remember the World Series losses in the 90s, he will never forget the magic and the heartbreak of Game 7 in 2016. He wore the No. 13 playing baseball growing up because of Omar and still rocks a Cody Allen jersey for good luck.

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Bobby Bradley,cleveland Indians News

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan addresses the crowd prior to the Opening Day Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians on April 11, 2017, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Chicago 2-1 in ten innings.

Should Paul Dolan Sell The Cleveland Indians?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) singles to drive in a run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 21, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Carlos Santana, Kansas City Royals Reach 2-Year Deal

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 20, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Report: Indians To 'Aggressively' Listen To Offers For Francisco Lindor

2 years ago

A general view of Progressive Field during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on July 19, 2020, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Draft Trevor Stephan In Rule 5 Draft

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians on August 7, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Shane Bieber, Jose Ramirez, Brad Hand Named To All-MLB team

2 years ago

A general view of the Progressive Field scoreboard during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus

Cleveland Indians Top 3 Prospects Of 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) delivers a pitch to the plate during the ninth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians on August 4, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Top 3 Cornerstone Cleveland Indians Players Of The Future

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians pitcher Jefry Rodriguez (68) delivers a pitch to the plate during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians on May 22, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Parts Ways With Pitcher Jefry Rodriguez

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians center fielder Oscar Mercado (35) motions towards the Indians dugout as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on September 17, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

2 Indians Players Who Could Have Breakout Seasons In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.

2 Prospects The Indians Must Get From Mets In Lindor Trade

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians left fielder Jordan Luplow (8) is congratulated by Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez (55) after scoring a run during the third inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on July 16, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Indians Players With Something To Prove In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (77) looks to the dugout as he makes a pitching change after Cleveland Indians pitcher Hunter Wood (54) hit by a ball off the bat of Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians on August 12, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Is It Time For The Indians To Begin Rebuilding For The Future?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado (35) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians on September 15, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Bold Predictions For The Cleveland Indians In 2021

2 years ago

indians logo

3 Indians Players To Watch During Spring Training

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) in the dugout after scoring on a Yasiel Puig (66) single in the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.

Who Will Replace Francisco Lindor At Shortstop For The Indians?

2 years ago

A Realistic 2021 Plan For Indians Prospect Nolan Jones

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Francisco Lindor (12) hits a solo home run during a Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals on July 27, 2019, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.

Grading The Cleveland Indians Francisco Lindor Trade

2 years ago

cleveland indians fireworks

3 Reasons To Believe In The Indians In 2021

2 years ago

progressive field

A Look At The Top 3 Indians Prospects In Their System

2 years ago

indians logo

Cleveland Indians Sign Billy Hamilton And Ben Gamel

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) before an MLB game between the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals on September 1, 2020 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

3 Trade Possibilities If The Indians Deal Jose Ramirez

2 years ago

Mitch Moreland (18) of the Red Sox waits on deck during the MLB regular season game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 21, 2019, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.

Should The Indians Pursue Mitch Moreland In 2021?

2 years ago

Indians flag

3 Potential Free Agent Targets For The Indians

2 years ago

Phillies RP Blake Parker (53) pitches in the fifth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on August 30, 2020 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.

Reliever Blake Parker Gets Chance With Indians In 2021

2 years ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.