Clint Frazier May 31st, 2016 Akron RubberDucks Post-Game Interview
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier, the Indians" top two minor-league prospects, are on the move.
The organization promoted the young outfielders to Triple-A Columbus following their game on Sunday.
Baseball America ranked Frazier and Zimmer the No. 21 and No. 26 prospects in the league onits midseason top 100 list.
The Indians selected Frazierwith the fifth overall choice in the 2013 amateur draft. The 21-year-old posted a .276/.356/.469 slash line (.825 OPS) in 89 games with Double-A Akron this season. He has slugged 13 home runs and tallied 48 RBI to go along with 25 doubles and 13 stolen bases. Frazier has totaled 41 walks and 86 strikeouts.
The Indians nabbed Zimmerwith the 21st overall selection in the 2014 amateur draft. The 23-year-old compiled a .253/.371/.471 slash line (.842 OPS) in 93 games with the RubberDucks. He has racked up 14 home runs and 53 RBI, with 20 doubles, six triples and 33 stolen bases. Zimmer has amassed 56 walks and 115 strikeouts.
Zimmer has struck out in 28.3 percent of his plate appearances this season. Last year, he struck out in 23.9 percent of his trips to the batter"s box. Zimmer"s walk rate has increased this season as well, to 13.8 percent from 10.0 percent.
Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer will share the outfield in Columbus after doing so in Akron.Chuck Crow/PDThe Indians promoted outfielders Greg Allen and Luigi Rodriguez to Akron to take the place of Frazier and Zimmer. Allen is batting .298 with a .425 on-base percentage, with 93 runs scored and 38 stolen bases. Rodriguez is batting .330 in 24 games.
The timing of the promotions falls in line with how the Indians have operated with some of their top prospects in years past. Zimmer advanced to Akron from High-A Lynchburg in mid-July last season. Two years ago, shortstop Francisco Lindor relocated to Columbus from Akron in late July.
Of course, the shift to Triple-A likely will not prevent the prospects" names from being tossed around in various trade rumors. Both Zimmer and Frazier could spark the interest of opposing teams who have pieces that the Indians covet.
Baseball America also includes pitcher Brady Aiken (No. 59), first baseman Bobby Bradley (No. 64), pitcher Justus Sheffield (No. 69), catcher Francisco Mejia (No. 70) and pitcher Mike Clevinger (No. 71) on its midseason top 100 list.
The Indians have selected an outfielder in the first round in four of the last five drafts. Tyler Naquin, the club"s top pick in 2012, is making a case for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
Naquin"s case for AL Rookie of the Year
The team took high school outfielder Will Benson in the first round last month.
Benson has star potential on, off field
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/07/cleveland_indians_promote_top.html
