#21st Overall: Bradley Zimmer - OF - San Francisco

[AZ_]

Bradley Zimmer - OF - San Francisco

6-foot-5, 200 pounds

Zimmer's older brother Kyle went fifth overall in the 2012 Draft and reached Double-A in his first full pro season. Bradley won't go quite that high but looks like a first-rounder and also could move quickly through the Minor Leagues. He performed well last summer, leading the U.S. college national team with 11 steals and winning playoff MVP honors in the Cape Cod League. Zimmer has a nice package of tools, with his bat standing out the most. He has a sweet left-handed stroke, and he manages the strike zone and recognizes pitches well. His body has enough strength and leverage to possibly produce plus power if he were to add some loft to his swing, though he's content to spray line drives all over the field for now. He enhances his solid speed with keen instincts, which make him an asset on the basepaths and in the outfield. He has a chance to play center field, and if not, his strong arm will fit well in right.

Promising Zimmer aims to follow in brother's footsteps


2014 Stats:
.368/.461/.573
10 2B, 7 3B, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 21 SB, 31BB, 34K


2013 Stats:
.320/.437/.512
12 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 19 SB, 29BB, 31K

[video=youtube;gdnEH1GVaf8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdnEH1GVaf8[/video]

 

[MoFlo]

2014 Indians 1st round pick: OF Bradley Zimmer

With their 1st round pick (#21 overall) in the 2014 Draft the Cleveland Indians have selected outfielder Bradley Zimmer out of the University of San Francisco.

Born: 11/27/1992 – Height: 6’5” – Weight: 205 – Bats: Left – Throws: Right

Press Release: Zimmer, a 6’5”, 205-pound outfielder, hit .368 with 10 doubles, 7 triples, 7 home runs and 31 RBI for the University of San Francisco Dons as a junior during the 2014 season. Zimmer, 21, walked 31 times and recorded a .461 on-base percentage. He posted a .573 slugging percentage and was 21-for-32 in stolen base attempts. The two-time All-West Coast Conference member made all 54 starts in center field and owned a .969 fielding percentage in 2014. He was named a 2014 preseason All-American selection by Louisville Slugger, Baseball America and Perfect Game USA. He is also one of 30 finalists for the Golden Spikes Award.

The La Jolla, CA native was named All-WCC during his sophomore season in 2013, hitting .320 with 7 home runs, 37 RBI and 19 stolen bases.

Video:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ghyl-ZNXScs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/c9UjtRvHLo0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://www.indiansbaseballinsider.com/blog/2014-indians-1st-round-pick-of-bradley-zimmer-68035

 

[Randolphkeys]

I should really catch more Dons baseball. I live four blocks away from their home field.

 

[AZ_]

My take:

Zimmer is a lanky, advanced bat who will add more weight and power as he gets older.

He's not a guy who is going to move through the system as quickly as a guy like Conforto or Schwarber closer to the top of the draft because of his body and lack of power, but he's got pretty good discipline at the plate and talks like a kid with a high baseball IQ who lives for the game and to get better.

Slightly older than the rest of the college class, late November birthday.

I think he can be an average defender in right field, but still looks a bit funky running down fly balls and throwing.


All in all I like the pick, he's a college bat which was projected and quite frankly should have gone higher. The Indians didn't may have gotten a below slot deal and an advanced college hitter. Good pick and a guy I targeted.

 

[MoFlo]

Lastoria added more to the link I posted above:

Ranks:

Baseball America: 14
MLB.com: 10
Keith Law: 12
Jeff Ellis: 6

Tony's take: This pick may not excite people and it may be more of a safe pick, but he was the highest rated player on the board and someone who could have gone much earlier in the draft. There are a lot of interesting arms still available for the Indians to take at #31 and #38 so this looks like a solid, safe pick before the Indians potentially take some gambles the rest of the night. He has bloodlines as his brother Kyle is in the Royals system and has played well for them so far. He is more of a polished player who could move quickly through the system and is a toolsy player, which is something you don’t see a lot of coming out of college. His bat and speed both grade out as above average or better and shows a good approach at the plate. He also could have at least average power if not more depending on how his frame fills out as a professional. The Indians will probably develop him as a center fielder at first because of his athleticism, speed, and strong arm, but he could settle in as a right fielder down the road.

Jeff Ellis: So you know I have to be extremely happy and fans should be too. I had him in the top 10 and so did Jim Callis. Zimmer has plus speed, I would grade it at 60 and on top of that he is 6’5” with a frame which screams power. Here is a potential five tool guy. I see a player who should have plus power, speed, and hit tool. His power needs to develop, but there are reasons a lot of people love Zimmer. He might be a college guy but the upside is there. I think he can play centerfield, and could stick there. He instantly becomes the number three prospect in this system by the time he signs. Zimmer could easily end up being the top bat from this class; worst case is an average bat in centerfield.

 

[BimboColesHair]

My take:

Zimmer is a lanky, advanced bat who will add more weight and power as he gets older.

He's not a guy who is going to move through the system as quickly as a guy like Conforto or Schwarber closer to the top of the draft because of his body and lack of power, but he's got pretty good discipline at the plate and talks like a kid with a high baseball IQ who lives for the game and to get better.

Slightly older than the rest of the college class, late November birthday.

I think he can be an average defender in right field, but still looks a bit funky running down fly balls and throwing.


All in all I like the pick, he's a college bat which was projected and quite frankly should have gone higher. The Indians didn't may have gotten a below slot deal and an advanced college hitter. Good pick and a guy I targeted.

He looks like he has a bit of Hunter Pence in him.

 

[MoFlo]

<blockquoteclass="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Think the Zimmer family was excited upon hearing <a href="https://twitter.com/Bzimmer5">@Bzimmer5</a> is on his way to CLE? <a href="http://t.co/xBrTBBhSBN">pic.twitter.com/xBrTBBhSBN</a></p>&mdash; Cleveland Indians (@Indians) <a href="https://twitter.com/Indians/statuses/474726065152090112">June 6, 2014</a></blockquote> <script asyncsrc="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquoteclass="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Here is the <a href="http://t.co/OdkK9NxxzO">http://t.co/OdkK9NxxzO</a> scouting video on Zimmer.
<a href="http://t.co/5L0tU51kXV">http://t.co/5L0tU51kXV</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MLBDraft&amp;src=hash">#MLBDraft</a></p>&mdash; Cleveland Indians (@Indians) <a href="https://twitter.com/Indians/statuses/474726099914465280">June 6, 2014</a></blockquote> <script asyncsrc="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[AZ_]

He looks like he has a bit of Hunter Pence in him.

Definitely does in that his movements are kind of clunky and unorthodox.

He's kind of a hybrid of David Murphy and Hunter Pence, some sneaky speed in there.

 

[Soda]

Nice and thanks for the input guys.

 

[AZ_]

Would have loved to see Ortiz make it one more pick.