After signing for an over-slot $912,500 as a third-round pick in 2014, Bradley broke into pro ball by winning the Rookie-level Arizona League triple crown and hasn't stop mashing since. He won two more home run titles in Class A leagues in his first two full seasons and added another in 2019, when he led the Triple-A International League with 33 long balls. He made his big league debut in June, going 8-for-45 and slamming his first big league homer off of Tyler Duffey.
A classic three-true-outcomes player, Bradley has averaged 36 homers, 76 walks and 196 strikeouts per 162 games in his first six pro seasons. His bat speed and strength give him tremendous power to all fields from the left side of the plate, though he'll have to make more consistent contact against advanced pitching to take full advantage. His power-based approach means he won't produce high batting averages, but he does get pitched around and draws enough walks to post acceptable on-base percentages.
While Bradley has put in work to improve his conditioning and defense, he's still a bottom-of-the-scale runner and a below-average first baseman. He doesn't have enough speed to play anywhere else on the diamond, so DH is his only other option. He won't provide value beyond his bat, though Cleveland's need for left-handed power could create an opportunity for him in 2020.
Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50
Signed for an over-slot $912,500 as a third-round pick out of a Mississippi high school in 2014, Bradley won the Rookie-level Arizona League triple crown (.361, eight homers, 50 RBIs) in his pro debut and home-run titles in two Class A leagues in his first two full seasons. He has continued to mash in the upper Minors, slamming 50 homers between Double-A and Triple-A in 2017-18. He's a classic three-true-outcomes player, posting 162-game averages of 34 homers, 78 walks and 188 strikeouts through his first five years as a pro.
Bradley's bat speed and strength create massive left-handed power to all fields, and he tries to make the most of it every time he takes a swing. He does have some natural hitting ability but his ultra-aggressive approach has resulted in a 27-percent strikeout rate in pro ball, including a career-worst 34 percent during his first month in Triple-A last August. Though he's not going to hit for average, he gets pitched around and takes enough walks to fuel healthy on-base percentages.
While almost all of Bradley's value comes from his offense, he made a concerted effort to get into better shape and dropped 25 pounds during the 2017-18 offseason. He's still a bottom-of-the-scale runner, but he showed some improvement at first base, where he has a chance to become an average defender with an arm to match. He doesn't cover enough ground to play the outfield, so DH is his only other option.
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50
A third-round Draft pick in 2014 from the Mississippi prep ranks, Bradley won the Rookie-level Arizona League's Triple Crown in his pro debut and then paced the Midwest League in home runs (27) and RBIs (92) the next year. He built on that performance in 2016 at Class A Advanced Lynchburg, where, at age 20, he established career bests in home runs (29) and RBIs (102) en route to the Carolina League MVP award. It was more of the same for Bradley in his first Double-A campaign, as he connected on 23 more home runs while also improving his approach and making more contact, and he eclipsed the 20-homer for the fourth straight year in 2018.
Bradley's plus power has translated at every stop in his career. He can apply it to all fields during games thanks to a combination of strength, bat speed and natural hitting ability, though he was too pull-happy at times in 2017. After striking out 29.7 percent of the time in 2016, Bradley trimmed his whiff rate down to 22.9 percent in Double-A, all while maintaining the same healthy walk rate he's shown throughout his career. There is some concern regarding his hit-tool potential, but Bradley has made enough strides with his approach and pitch recognition to believe it could be at least below average. He's a well-below-average runner and below average at first base, though he did make gains defensively with extra reps in the Arizona Fall League.
Bradley's bat, and specifically his power, will be what gets him to the Major Leagues. With a few more adjustments along the way, he could soon find himself driving in runs for the Indians.
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Arm: 50 | Field: 40 | Overall: 50
Bradley captured the Rookie-level Arizona League's Triple Crown in his pro debut after his selection by Cleveland in the third round of the 2014 Draft. His full-season debut was equally impressive, as Bradley paced the Midwest League in home runs (27) and RBIs (92), and he built on that performance last season at Class A Advanced Lynchburg, where, at age 20, he established career bests in home runs (29) and RBIs (102) en route to the Carolina League MVP award. Advancing to Double-A in 2017, he's continued to hit for power, all while improving his approach and making more consistent contact.
Bradley already has proved to be a dynamic slugger, showing plus raw power to all fields during games thanks to his combination of strength, bat speed and natural hitting ability. He fanned 170 times in 131 games in 2016 but also showed a more patient approach and paced the circuit with 75 walks. Some scouts worry that his swing-and-miss tendencies and pull-oriented approach will limit his hit tool potential, though Bradley has certainly done his part to assuage those concerns this season by making strides with his approach and pitch recognition.
It will be up to Bradley's bat to get him to the Major Leagues, because he's a bottom-of-the-scale runner who's also below-average defensively at first base. If he can maintain his current path and make some key adjustments along the way, Bradley's robust power could have him hitting in the middle of Cleveland's lineup in the coming years.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Arm: 50 | Field: 40 | Overall: 55
Bradley made an immediate impact after signing with Cleveland as a third-round pick in 2013, winning the Rookie-level Arizona League's Triple Crown with a .361 average, eight home runs and 50 RBIs in just 39 games. He was even more impressive last year in his full-season debut, when he paced the Midwest League with 27 home runs and 92 RBIs, and there's a good chance he'll take home the Carolina League home-run title in 2016.
Bradley has all the ingredients needed to be an impact hitter, with plus bat speed, huge power and feel for using the entire field at a young age. He has continued to strike out at an alarming rate this year after fanning a Midwest League-worst 148 times in 2015. Though, overall, Bradley's approach has been more consistent, and he's already established a new career high in walk. But until he eliminates some of the swing-and-miss from his game, scouts likely will remain skeptical of his ability to make consistent contact at higher levels.
Bradley faces an uphill battle due to his profile as first-base-only prospect, but his combination of power and hitting ability is plenty good enough to overcome those odds.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Arm: 50 | Field: 40 | Overall: 50
Even in a strong year for high school talent in Mississippi, as 2014 was, Bradley stood out for his offensive potential. After the Indians selected him in the third round, he made a quick transition to the professional ranks. He helped the Rookie-level Indians win the Arizona League championship and won the circuit's Triple Crown (.361 batting average, eight home runs, 50 RBIs).
Bradley was one of the younger players in the Draft class but has an extremely advanced bat for a teenager and the power to match. His sweet left-handed swing creates plenty of bat speed, and he displays a willingness to use the entire field
Bradley moved around the diamond some in high school, but he fits best at first base. His bat is plenty good enough to profile at the position.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 20 | Arm: 50 | Field: 40 | Overall: 45
In a strong year for Mississippi high school talent, Bradley's bat stood out this spring and helped make him a third-round pick. He made a quick transition to the professional ranks, excelling in the Arizona League.
Bradley has an extremely advanced bat for a teenager and the power to match. He has a sweet left-handed swing with plenty of bat speed, as well as a willingness to use the entire field. He focuses on making hard contact rather than selling out for home runs, though he still can hit the ball out of any part of any park.
Bradley tried catching and third base in high school, but he fits best at first base and the Indians have kept him there. His bat is plenty good enough to profile at the position.
