CLEVELAND -- Bobby Bradley is on his way.
After weeks -- if not months -- of anticipation, the Cleveland Indians announced that they have called up the hard-hitting first baseman, who has enjoyed a stellar season thus far in Triple-A Columbus. The 23-year-old Bradley will be in the Indians' lineup batting seventh and playing first base on Sunday as Cleveland looks to complete a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field.
First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Given his play through the first half of the 2019 campaign, Bradley making his Major League debut became a matter of not "if" but "when?" In 67 games, he has hit for a .292 batting average with 17 doubles and 55 RBIs. Most impressively, he currently leads the International League in both home runs (24) and slugging percentage (.638).
Nine of Bradley's home runs have come in the month of June alone.
Although the Indians have seemingly found their footing in recent weeks, Bradley possesses the potential to provide some much-needed pop to Cleveland's lineup. Entering Sunday, the Indians ranked 20th in MLB and ninth in the American League with 96 home runs.
Selected in the third round of the 2014 MLB Draft, Bradley currently ranks as the No. 6 prospect in the Indians' organization, according to MLB.com. His call up marks the second time this season Cleveland has brought one of its top prospects up to the big leagues after Oscar Mercado made his big league debut in May.
In order to make room for Bradley, the Indians optioned relief pitcher Josh Smith to Columbus. On Saturday, Cleveland designated centerfielder Leonys Martin for assignment.
With a record of 41-35, the Indians enter Sunday nine games back of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central.
