CLEVELAND, Ohio – Since returning to Cleveland’s lineup in late May, Bradley Zimmer has been trying to figure out a solution to the Indians’ season-long midfield conundrum, and he’s been looking pretty good lately.
Manager Terry Francona, having his hands full with all the injuries and inexperience in his initial pitching rotation to keep things afloat, could use all of the answers Zimmer’s presence now offers.
“Our idea is certainly that if he can hit enough he can really solve this equation because he’s so good defensively and can run the bases,” said Francona.
Francona added, however, that the Indians don’t want to go too far when it comes to what to expect from the 28-year-old former first-round draft pick.
“We’re still trying to find out who he is as a hitter and I think he is too,” said Francona. “But if he can, then surely … I think he knows we’re going for him.”
As a rookie in 2017, Zimmer showed flashes of potential in the center with his defense and on the bases. He hit .241 with a .692 OPS before an end-of-season hand injury put him on the shelf for the Cleveland playoff run.
After two injury-ridden seasons and a year spent mostly at Cleveland’s alternative training ground in 2020, Zimmer appears to be completely healthy again and regaining the athleticism that attracted so much attention in his first season.
“I think this is so close to what we saw in 2017 in recent years, which is really good,” said Francona. “He looks athletic, he moves on the outfield, he’s aggressive on the bases. There is a lot to like. “
The Indians spent April and most of May mingling and playing in midfield, with Amed Rosario playing outside of his natural position and learning the outfield at the Major League level. Jordan Luplow and Harold Ramirez also saw time there after leaving the club from Ben Gamel, who had most of the playing time there at the start of the season.
Ramirez is more of a corner player and with Luplow now on the 60-day injured list and Gamel gone, Zimmer is the club’s best option defensively.
Zimmer returned to the Indians on May 27, taking the squad spot from Triston McKenzie, who had an option for Triple-A Columbus. Zimmer hit .267 with a .780 OPS in 18 games for the Clippers before he was called up. He hit .367 with a pair of doubles but hasn’t shown much performance in the Major League this season.
But with almost 50 at-bats in the last four weeks, Zimmer is starting to settle in on site. He hit .316 with a .774 OPS, five walks and six runs scored during Cleveland’s recent homestand against Seattle and Baltimore, and hit only six times in 24 record appearances.
Meanwhile, Zimmer’s defense is consolidating his standing in the Indian outfield. On a June 8 win in St. Louis, he made a diving catch on a Paul Goldschmidt line drive to take away extra bases and later added a two-run single in a 10-1 Cleveland win.
After the game, Shane Bieber said Zimmer’s defense is reassuring to Cleveland’s throwers.
“He’s great out there, just like the rest of our boys,” said Bieber. “In order to have him in the center, he gets a quick overview of things and closes the gap extremely quickly. I love having him out there and relying on him to do these pieces. “
Zimmer is also 4 for 4 on stolen basic attempts, which leads the catcher Austin Hedges to compare his speed with the Chicago runabout Billy Hamilton.
“He would ask Billy for his money,” Hedges said.
But for Zimmer the real race is against himself. And he knows what lies ahead.
“I have a unique opportunity here and I look forward to playing and just doing my thing out there,” said Zimmer.
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