The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Zimmer says he’s ready to make an impact
Outfielder boosts profile with two home runs off Clevinger in July 15 intrasquad scrimmage
Bradley Zimmer feels he’s been overlooked in regard to what the outfield might look like this season.
Bradley Zimmer feels he’s been overlooked in regard to what the Indians outfield might look like during this shortened, 60-game season. He’s probably right. Zimmer, 27, has missed the majority of the past two seasons with a shoulder injury, including surgery in June 2018 to repair a torn labrum.
He logged only 13 at-bats in 2019.
So it kind of makes sense that Zimmer might be an afterthought as the Indians sprint through Spring Training 2.0 toward a July 24 season opener against the visiting Royals.
Consider that slight motivation for the 6-foot-5 outfielder.
“I’m not gonna lie — I’m feeling really good,” Zimmer said. “This is honestly what I expected coming in. A lot haven’t looked at me as an option. I’ve probably been overlooked.”
If that truly is the case, Zimmer gave a few pretty good reasons why he shouldn’t be overlooked in an intrasquad scrimmage on July 15.
Exhibition A — his mammoth home run to center field off Mike Clevinger.
Exhibition B — his opposite field shot to left field a few innings later, also at Clevinger’s expense.
It was part of a 3-for-3 day at the plate for Zimmer, who also singled and had two RBI.
“The quarantine gave me more time to get ready and prove that I’m here for a reason,” Zimmer said. “At this point, I’m just playing. I’m healthy. Everything feels good. I’m just happy to be playing baseball again.”
Zimmer broke camp with the Indians in 2018 as the team’s starting center fielder. But he was sent down to Triple-A Columbus in June of that year, and shortly thereafter injured his right shoulder and was shut down for more than a month.
In July of 2018, he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in that right shoulder. By the time he recovered, 2019 was in full swing, which gave him only 13 at-bats by season’s end.
“It was really tough. It hurts. It really does,” he said of missing so much time from the game he loves.
“But it makes you a better player and a better person. I went through a lot the last year or two. I battled through some tough times. I think it made me much better and much stronger now. I’m ready to attack, and I’m ready to play ball.”
The Indians have a slew of outfielders in camp, but a good group of them have been or are currently battling injuries. Tyler Naquin is coming off off-season ACL surgery. Newly acquired Delino DeShields Jr. is on the 10-day IL. Jordan Luplow is battling back issues.
The rest of the outfield mix includes Oscar Mercado, Greg Allen, Franmil Reyes, Domingo Santana, Daniel Johnson and Jake Bauers.
A healthy and productive Bradley Zimmer would be huge for the Indians, with his skill set as an outfielder with speed, power and defensive capabilities.
“It sure is nice to see what he can do,” said Indians manager Terry Francona. “He played left field (on July 15), which he hasn’t played a lot of. You look at him, you look at Daniel Johnson — some younger outfielders — and it gets exciting.”
Both home runs against Clevinger were biggies. The first, he said, was on a slider. The second was a fastball that he shot to the opposite field.
“That tells me a lot,” Zimmer said of the second round-tripper. “I’m in a good spot. When I’m driving the ball that way, I’m balanced and seeing the ball the way I want to. To me, that’s a great swing.”
Zimmer knows time is short for him to make an impression. It’s a shortened spring training to begin with. There are three exhibition games against the Pirates this weekend, and then come July 24, it’s gotime with the Royals coming to town.
Zimmer is ready to make an impact. Even if some are overlooking him.
“I can go out there and play free like I always have,” he said. “I’m not looking over my shoulder and worrying about some nagging injury. I can play and have fun and show these guys why I’m here in the first place and why I’m here now.”