CLEVELAND: In a way, rookie outfielder Bradley Zimmer underwent the kind of exemplary developmental path the Indians look for when scouting for the amateur draft.
But it wasn’t all in Zimmer’s rare combination of raw power, speed and size that had him cemented as one of the organization’s top prospects the last few years prior to his major-league debut on May 16. It also had to do with the slow start he endured last season, and how he handled it.
Zimmer struggled mightily for the RubberDucks through the first several months of the 2016 season, eventually warranting a series of swing changes aimed at improving his path through the strike zone. He adjusted to those changes as he was promoted to Triple-A last fall, still struggling to put it together.
When he arrived in Goodyear, Ariz, for camp, those changes came to fruition in the form of a torrid spring in which he impressed the Indians and manager Terry Francona.
Zimmer has since parlayed that strong spring into a couple of solid weeks for the Indians at the big-league level, hitting .277 with a .358 on-base percentage, three home runs, four doubles, 11 RBI and three stolen bases in 17 games.
A year ago, Zimmer had seemed to plateau at the Double-A level and was searching for answers. Since that time, a series of mechanical changes have led to two promotions and a solid early effort in the Indians outfield.
“It’s awesome for all of us to watch that,” Brad Grant, the Indians senior director of amateur scouting, said. “It just goes back to that collective process that we talk about. To see the strides Bradley has made through the development system, to see what he’s been able to effectively do with his swing and then for it to happen here is really cool.”
Being a top prospect and flying through the minor leagues is great. The ability to handle adversity, though, is a key trait the Indians target in the amateur draft, which this year begins on June 12.
“I think after we’ve evaluated those guys, we really dig down and make sure we have a really strong grasp of how they’re going to handle adversity and how they’re going to handle failure,” Grant said. “I think if you look at a lot of the guys that are up here now, a lot of guys in our system, those guys have all overcome challenges at some point. They’ve all hit a wall at some point. They’ve plateaued.
“Talent can only get you so far. Once you get to that plateau, what’s going to get you over the hump? That’s what we’re looking for.”
It’s a trait the Indians hope to make a common thread among their top prospects, as it’s likely most players eventually will hit a rough patch.
Zimmer was able to fight his way through his major hurdle last year. Today, Grant is able to use him as an example of what the Indians are seeking.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ.