As the 2015 Minor League Baseball season came to a close on Tuesday, some of Major League Baseball's brightest prospects headed home for a short reprieve prior to continuing this year's campaign on October 13 in the Arizona Fall League. Unfortunately for the Cleveland Indians, Bradley Zimmer will not be one of the young talents starting his offseason in the "graduate school."
Zimmer, who was originally assigned by his organization to play for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the AFL, suffered a hairline fracture in his right foot earlier this week, which has made him "doubtful" to continue his season.
Since being drafted from the University of San Francisco with the 21st pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, Cleveland's top prospect has smacked 22 home runs, plated 96 RBIs, and stolen 56 bases with a .280 average in 174 career games between four levels over two years.
Earlier this summer after hitting 10 home runs and collecting 32 stolen bases with Lynchburg (Single-A Advanced), the 22-year old was honored by starting in centerfield for the United States during the All-Star Futures Game in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, following his first cameo in the national spotlight, Zimmer was promoted to Double-A Akron, where a 1 for 27 end-of-the-season hitting slump plummeted his .250 batting average to .219.
While his foot injury will most likely cost MLB.com's 27th prospect an opportunity to conclude his first full professional season on a high note, Bradley Zimmer is expected to make a full recovery in plenty of time for the start of Spring Training.
Other Indians' youngsters expected to head West for Arizona Fall League include the organization's second prospect (36th in baseball) Clint Frazier (.285 BA, 16 HR, 72 RBI, & 15 SB with Lynchburg in 2015) and the 28th, Yandy Diaz (.309 BA, 7 HR, & 56 RBI with Akron and Triple-A Columbus this year).