GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Bobby Bradley hits for a living.
Last year he led the International League with 33 homers for Class AAA Columbus. He joined the Indians on June 23 for his big-league debut, but stayed for just 23 days before returning to Columbus.
The year before Bradley hit 27 homers, 24 at Class AA Akron and three at Columbus. That kind of power should open the door to Progressive Field, but with the exception of those 23 days last year, it has remained closed.
If Bradley is going open that door, it’s going to take some doing. Every couple of minutes the Indians seem to add another first baseman or DH to block his path. Last year they acquired Carlos Santana and Jake Bauers in the same trade. They added Franmil Reyes from San Diego on July 31 and last week they signed Domingo Santana.
Bradley, 23, doesn’t necessarily see those additions as road blocks. A caution sign, maybe.
“At the end of the day, they’re going to do what they see fit to help this team win,” said Bradley.
Bradley is out to prove a point this year. He spent almost the whole offseason at the Tribe’s training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., to get ready for spring training and the season. He came to camp too heavy last year, but dropped 15 pounds over the winter and looks fit.
“He made an investment in his career,” said manager Terry Francona.
When the Columbus season ended, Bradley reported to Goodyear.
“I was out here five days a week working out,” said Bradley. “Instead of sitting at home and not doing much, I figured I’d get out here and get to work.”
Bradley, who has two options left, has a contact problem. He struck out 153 times in 402 at-bats (38 percent) at Columbus. He struck out 20 times in 45 at-bats (44 percent) with the Indians.
“It’s not something I have to live with,” said Bradley, referring to the tradeoff between strikeouts and power. “It’s all about having a better plan and approach at the plate and not trying to do too much in certain situations.”
Cleveland Indians pitcher James Karinchak throws during the second full squad day of spring training in Goodyear, Arizona. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
No. 1: James Karinchak shows some wild heat and a good breaking ball
The Indians’ hitters and pitchers faced each other for the first time Tuesday in spring training. It’s called live batting practice -- no screen for the pitcher, no cage for the hitter.
Francona sat behind the backstop and watched James Karinchak work. He didn’t throw a lot of strikes with his fastball, but showed plenty of velocity which had batters keeping their bats on their shoulders and shaking their heads. When he wasn’t missing with his fastball, he threw a good breaking ball.
“He didn’t throw strikes with his fastball," said Francona. "I thought he threw a really good breaking ball. But he kind of scattered his fastball all over the place. So I can certainly understand where if you’re a hitter, you’re not necessarily gonna be digging in when a guy’s scattering balls to both sides of the plate.
"That’s probably not the time to show your manhood. You know, 10 o’clock in the morning on Feb. 18th or whatever, it’s easier to take.”
Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco.cleveland.com
No. 2: Good beginning for Carlos Carrasco
Carlos Carrasco finished his live BP session before Karinchak. Francona watched that session as well. Asked how he looked, Francona said, “Like Carlos Carrasco, which is about the best compliment you can give him. I thought he looked really good.”
Carrasco missed three months of last season while being treated for chronic myeloid leukemia. On Tuesday he looked strong, showing good velocity while facing Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana.
Lindor hit a couple of balls off the outfield fence against Carrasco.
“Normally, the first time guys get in and face live pitching, a lot of them don’t even swing because they don’t want to get themselves into bad habits," said Francona. "It’s obvious that Frankie felt pretty good about himself.”
Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor works on his fielding.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
No. 3: How open is the Indians’ window of opportunity in 2020?
After the Indians reached the World Series in 2016, they signed free agent Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $60 million deal. He was going to be the final piece to the puzzle to bring the Indians their first world championship since 1948.
It didn’t happen.
Lindor was asked how open the Tribe’s window is this year compared to 2016.
“It’s crazy because in 2016 it seemed like it was this small and then all of a sudden we made it and the window got really big,” said Lindor. "Everyone was like, ‘All right, we have to go all in now. We have to invest. We have to put money in. We have to win.’
“The front office has done a great job of putting guys in the right spot (so) that the window doesn’t seem like it’s closing. It definitely got smaller. The window was really big in 2016 after we made it to the World Series and then it got bigger and it seems like we’re at the midpoint."
Mike Clevinger, recovering from knee surgery, watches Carlos Carrasco face live hitters for the first time this spring on Tuesday in Goodyear, Ariz.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
No. 4: In closing, Mike Clevinger makes a visit
* Mike Clevinger, with the help of a cane, watched pitchers face hitters for the first time this spring on Tuesday on the lower fields of their spring complex. Clevinger underwent surgery on his left knee on Friday.
“I don’t have a schedule yet on what he’s gonna do,” said Francona. "But he will do all that stuff with his arm. They’re not gonna try to slow him down arm-wise. They just want to make sure (the knee) heals and gets stronger. But as far as the arm goes, they’re gonna let him do a lot of stuff.”
* Travis Hafner reported to the Tribe’s facility on Tuesday. He’ll spent a week working with the Tribe’s minor-league hitters. He’ll return in March for another session.
* Shane Bieber, Adam Plutko, Emmanuel Clase, Brad Hand, Zach Plesac and James Hoyt are among the pitchers who will face hitters for the first time on Wednesday.
* Tyler Naquin, recovering from ACL surgery on his right knee, has been doing sprints while wearing a brace on his right knee.
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