Bradley Zimmer
Zimmer is currently considered by most to be the Indians' number one prospect (although catcher Francisco Mejia is running him close), and was recently deemed so by ESPN's Keith Law, coming in at number 22 on his top 100 list (ahead of Mejia, at number 40). Drafted 21st overall in the 2014 MLB Draft, the 24 year-old center fielder has steadily progressed up the minor league ladder, impressing at every level with his slugging prowess and base stealing ability. He also projects as an above-average defender in one of the hardest positions on the field, and could potentially stick in center for many years to come. Zimmer is at the stage in his development where he's very close to a call-up to the show, and now he's earned a big league invite to Spring Training for the first time in his career.
I've read and heard a lot of hype surrounding Zimmer so I'm excited to see what he might bring to the team, even in meaningless spring exhibition games. It's this time of year fans starting projecting their dreams onto prospects just like Zimmer and it's in the land of "what-if" where we get carried away.
Zimmer spent 2016 between AA Akron and AAA Columbus, with the majority of his time being in Akron. Between the two levels Zimmer hit .250/.365/.425 (BA/OBP/SLG) with 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 77 walks, and an impressive 38 stolen bases. By all accounts Zimmer is considered to be on the right path to being a successful big league player for the Indians.
However as Zimmer has risen through each level, so have his strikeouts. It's a somewhat worrying trend, even in an age where many major leaguers can strike out a lot and still be important contributors to their club. After his promotion to AAA Columbus, Zimmer's strikeout rate topped out at 37.3% (per Fangraphs) and his long swing, despite producing good power, is missing way too often for most fan's liking. It's a concern for sure; if Zimmer is whiffing this much in the minor leagues, what chance does he stand against major league arms?
I hope to see him play well this spring but I don't realistically expect him to make the Opening Day roster. With Tyler Naquin, Abraham Almonte, Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer all currently on the active roster, and Michael Brantley's return on the horizon as well, there won't be much room for Zimmer anyway. I'll be content to see some flashes of brilliance but ultimately find his way back to Columbus. I think a full season at AAA could work wonders, and hopefully help to iron out his strikeout issues.
Yandy Diaz
25 year-old Diaz is another prospect with an invite to Spring Training. The 2016 International League Rookie of the Year spent time at AA Akron and AAA Columbus, slashing a combined .318/.408/.446 between the two levels. Diaz was such a revelation that he was even considered for promotion to the Indians last September. He continued his remarkable form over the winter, hitting .371 in 40 games in Venezuela.
The young Cuban has rocketed through the minor leagues since his acquisition in late 2013. It's extraordinary that in just a couple of years he's climbed so high in such a short space of time.
Diaz has an opportunity to find his way onto the Opening Day roster via a similar route that Jose Ramirez took only a few years ago. Like the versatile Ramirez, Diaz can play a multitude of positions. In 2016 alone he played five different positions between the infield and outfield, seeing action at 2B, 3B, LF, RF and CF. This diversity will serve him well in the short term, although I'd prefer to see him stick to an infield spot in the coming years, although he could wind up in a corner outfield position too.
An area where Diaz really shines over his fellow prospects is his great eye at the plate, with 71 walks compared to 86 strikeouts in 2016, and 198 walks to 191 strikeouts for his entire career thus far, an impressive ratio. He's yet to develop much power but I feel his plate discipline and overall ability to create contact more than make up for that.
Ultimately, depending on his spring performance, I'd like to see Diaz given a shot and make the Opening Day roster. I know Francona has a thing for Michael Martinez as his utility guy but I just feel Diaz has the potential to offer so much more. He can spot the corner outfielders if injuries strike or poor performances necessitate a change, and if Kipnis needs a day off at second base then Ramirez can cover there and Diaz can play third. Of course there is a case to be made that Diaz would be better off receiving regular playing time in Columbus rather than sitting on the bench in Cleveland but honestly, after such a great 2016, what does he have left to prove there?
Whatever happens down the road, I'm eager to see Diaz in action in Arizona.
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That's a wrap on part two. I'll be back soon with the third part, where I'll be focusing on the Indians' pitching staff.
Thanks for reading.
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