I teased this post a bit in my profile of Sean Manaea last week, and truthfully I’ve been excited about having an opportunity to write about Bradley since I took the reins in February. If there’s one thing I like more than a good looking woman in a pant suit, it’s prospects with power. Just ask some of my Razznasty league mates, they’ll tell you I’m blinded by power like Whitney was with Bobby Brown’s antics. Do I own Bradley anywhere? No, unfortunately I don’t. It’s not for lacking of trying either, but when you own a 19 year old who hit 27 homers in his first full year in pro ball you’re probably not letting him go for nothing. Not that I was offering nothing, but you get the gist. So as we always do at this time lets take a deeper look at Bobby Bradley, and see if he’s worth your tradeable assets.
Bobby Bradley, 1B | Age: 19 | ETA: 2018 | 2015 Level: A/A+
2015 Stats: 474 PA, .264/.357/.518, 27 HR, 3 SB, 12% BB, 32% K
Bradley grew up in Gulfport Mississippi, and excelled as a multi-sport athlete. Staring for Harrison Central High School’s football, baseball, and basketball teams. As far as baseball goes, Bradley’s superior athleticism allowed him to play all over the diamond, logging innings everywhere from first to third to the outfield, and even behind the plate. Much of Bradley’s development as a hitter is a product of the work he did with former major leaguer and Harrison Central alum Matt Lawton. It’s said that through Lawton’s tutelage Bradley developed not only his superior hit tool but also a tireless work ethic. Following the conclusion of his senior season at Harrison Central, Bradley was taken in the third round of the June draft by his mentor’s former club the Cleveland Indians. Following the draft Bradley was faced with the difficult choice of choosing between jumping into pro ball as a fresh faced teenager or taking a scholarship to SEC powerhouse LSU. Lucky for us and the Cleveland Indians Bradley chose to start his pro career. Imagine that, Cleveland got lucky!
Upon entering the short season Arizona League Bradley didn’t disappoint winning the MVP of the league with a slash line of .361/.462/.652 to go along with 25 extra base hits in just 155 at bats. Keep in mind Bradley was one of the younger players in the league, just out of high school, and yet still dominated players hot on the heels of successful college careers. Early success in the pro ranks is somewhat unheard of from Mississippi high school players, who are viewed as having a greater learning curve than even their prep colleagues. This only magnifies just how special Bradley is as a hitter, as there was seemingly no learning curve as he exploded onto the pro scene in 2014. Which was then followed by an excellent 2015 that produced a .269/.361/.529 slash line with 27 homers and 92 steaks. The homer total led the Midwest League and was among the highest totals from a teenager in league history. This earned him a (very) late season promotion to High A Lynchburg of the Carolina league, which is where he’s started the 2016 campaign.
Now is the time on Sprockets where we dance, touch my monkey, and discuss our specimen’s tools. Yes my goal was to write the creepiest introduction possible. When it comes to Bradley’s tools everything begins and ends with his power, which is easily a 70 on the 80 scale, maybe higher. His power plays to all fields, though he has a tendency to be pull happy. His swing is balanced with great control of the barrel which in turn allows him to spray the ball the opposite way frequently. He’s advanced as a hitter showing the ability to take a walk at each level so far, posting Bb% of 9+ at every stop. Though his patient approach can sometimes be a detriment, hence the K% of 31.8% at Lake County in 2015. That’s not to say he isn’t aggressive with balls inside the zone, because he is, but a wild swinger he is not. As for the rest of the tool set there is little doubt that Bradley profiles as a bat first, first baseman, and even that could come into question if his fielding doesn’t develop. Let’s hope for our sake he starts in the field enough to avoid that dreaded Sano/Ortiz utility distinction. Even though I’m a huge fan of fellow first base prospects like A.J. Reed, Dominic Smith, and Sam Travis, it’s tough not to view Bradley as the top first base prospect target in dynasty leagues long term.
Good post man!
After Manaea’s first AAA start I am a click away from grabbing him. Wondering if Alex Reyes is a better option. Can’t keep either. So this is about 2016 stats…
@malamoney: Manaea for sure. No roadblocks and he’s a lefty with nasty stuff in a pitcher’s park.
Keeper League question..
Using SV+HD as a category. Each team can keep up to 5 players in the previous round drafted the following year.
Should I send Puig (7th round), Buxton (9th) and Betances (17th)
for
Polanco (4th) Addison Russell (6th) and Feliz (30th)
wouldn’t be keeping Feliz obviously and already have Altuve, Correa, Crush, and Arenado. Also took Mazara in the 27th round and I need a backup SS.
Only thing I’m nervous about is if I trade Betances, the guy will have the entire Yankees bullpen and he will have the most K’s of any reliever.
What do you think?
@Wheezy: Yeah I wouldn’t do that
@Ralph Lifshitz: Thanks Ralph, Betances may be the best reliever in leagues counting holds!
@Wheezy: totally agree and Puig and Buxton. None of it makes sense.
Ralph, I love how in depth you get with these prospects, really helps get a much better idea on their futures.
Question for ya, Trea Turner is getting added on yahoo a ton today…how soon do you think he’s up? Espinosa has been awful so far.. Do they keep him down for super 2 reasons? or is he up asap?
@Mad Max: I’ve always thought he’d be the first big prospect called up. I’d just add him….I just did in the perts league.
Who is the best ML hitter that will be up sooner then later?
Who is the best ML pitcher that will be up sooner then later?
@PHIL: ……may be an/the obvious answer for a pitcher but I think Giolito is the man and is more major league ready than a Glasnow et al….an injury away from a call up and even without an injury I think they go 6 man rotation and/or put Roark back in relief……
@Raindoggg: what about a hitter?
@PHIL: ……I personally don’t have a solid answer off the top of my head……consensus would say AJ Reed and he’s a solid choice but personally I think the Astros will wait longer than people think to call him up….they have more depth than people give them credit for……
@Raindoggg: preach
@PHIL: Soon, Trea Turner
@Raindoggg: Giolito
Howdy Ralph!
H2h pts/ weekly
I always like to have a leg up on my opponents in terms of the next big prospect before / or right around he’s called up, who will be called up first & who should I be eyeing? AJ reed? Tyler gasnow?
Who will be this seasons Carlos correa or even Noah syndergaard?
@Big Tony:
My post doesn’t get a response?
@Big Tony: sorry at the sox game service is spotty
@Ralph Lifshitz:
Sweet, lol no probs I’m about 30 mins away from Fenway (if it’s the Red Sox you mean), I was watching from Buffalo Wild Wings in Burlington mass, if you go there try the mango habanero wing!
@Big Tony: Nice yeah I had the company seats 5 rows back from the Sox on deck circle behind the much maligned netting.
Mookie is amazing. Just a blast to watch hit/field
@Ralph Lifshitz:
I’m a Lowell spinners season ticket holder & I was lucky to see Mookie in Lowell in ’12
How is that netting? Is it a hinderence?
@Big Tony:
Speaking of spinners I saw Benintendi last year, thoughts on him? I know Boston is loaded at OF would that mean Boston will take there time promoting him to Boston?
@Big Tony: There’s a spot in left for somebody, and I think it’s him. I saw a few games of his last season and was really impressed.
@Big Tony: It’s like baseball with a condom on.
@Big Tony: Those are good ones, I like Arcia, Turner, Peraza, Glasnow, Manaea, Kepler, and Nick Williams
@Ralph Lifshitz:
Those are great names! They a prob a ways a way for this season, June / July ish? Thoughts on Reed I know white looks like a road block
@Big Tony: Maybe, it looks to be an issue right now. But he’s one to watch. I’m very much about Turner and Peraza.
92 steaks? That sounds delicious!
@Tyler: yup
Hey, Ralph! Vmart or Kendrys for the season? Thanks!
@Jerry: Morales
Hi Ralph….seems like a good time to pose this to you….
20 team dynasty league…
I get AJ Reed, I give up Benintendi and Edison Volquez
I’ve got plenty of depth at OF already with Mazara, Brinson, Zimmer, Williams, Robles, and Phillips, so I can afford to lose Benintendi. But t first I already have Bradley, Bell, and Bauers.
My responsible side wants to take Reed and even out some of my insane prospect depth to other positions around the diamond. But my irresponsible side looks at Benintendi’s stats in A and A+ and dreams of a future perrennial top 10 fantasy pick.
And this article makes me think I have no need to go for Reed anyways….so maybe just stand pat?
What say you?
@Ben: I’d want Reed for the two years before Bradley is up
Domingo Santana or Randal Grichuk?
@Bread n Mustard: Santana, me encanta Domingo
Good stuff! Would you rather have S. Souza of Bradley in a dynasty?
@Noam: Bobby
Bradley Zimmer coming up this year? Maybe jun? And who do you like more for this year.
B.zimm, nick Williams or Brett Phillips
Thanks!
@The tone ranger: Yeah Zimmer could be up in June, would t shock me.
I still like Williams the best, those two are close. Phillips is a 2017 guy the earliest unless it’s a Septmeber cup of coffee
Ralph, who would you say are the top 5 prospect hitters that haven’t had a “cup of coffee” yet? Thanks.
@David: AJ Reed, Orlando Arcia, Nick Williams, Yoan Moncada, and Lewis Brinson
Jameson Taillon was looking nice yesterday. With glasnows control issues, do you think the bucs take a shot of Jameson first and should I quickly scoop him up in my keeper league?
@crabman: Yeah I think he gets the call before Glasnow and the Pirates have said as much. I’d be surprised if he’s up before June though. Pirates always wait on those service clocks.