AKRON, Ohio -- We are blessed to live very close to so many of the Cleveland Indians' minor-league teams.

I recently spent two days in Akron, checking out the Class AA RubberDucks. The next wave of big-time Tribe prospects is at this level.

"The biggest jump in the minors is from Class A to Class AA," said Akron manager Mark Budzinski. "Guys run into pitchers who are throwing breaking balls anywhere in the count. Suddenly, you are facing guys who are 25, 26, 27 ... even 29 years old. It can be a shock."

In general, a young player who performs well at Class AA will probably make the majors. Three of the Tribe's top prospects are in Akron. They are only 21 years old -- the same age as many college players just starting their pro careers.

Furthermore, they come from almost everywhere: Bobby Bradley (Mississippi), Yu-Cheng Chang (Taiwan) and Francisco Mejia (Dominican Republic).

ABOUT BRADLEY

The player with the most power in the Tribe farm system is only 21, with 17 HR in the Class AA Eastern League -- all before the All-Star break. He hit 27 and 29 homers in the previous two seasons.

"He can drive the ball out of any ballpark, foul line-to-foul line," said Budzinski. "In that respect, he is like (Bradley) Zimmer. He has power to all fields."

Bradley has been an indifferent fielder at first base -- and that's putting it kindly. He made 30 errors in the last two seasons. This year, he has only four.

"He told me, 'I don't want to be a DH,'" said Budzinski. "I said, 'You have to catch ground balls. You have to pick balls out of the dirt. You have to make a commitment.' He is doing that."

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Bradley is not smooth at first, but he is no longer a defensive disaster. This is his second season with Budzinski. They were together in Class A Lynchburg last season.

"Most guys get to the big leagues with their bats," said Budzinski. "Bobby always worked hard on his hitting, now he's doing the same with his fielding."

In his first three pro seasons, Bradley averaged a strikeout every three at-bats. This season, it's every four at-bats. Even more impressive, the lefty hitter is trending up. In his last 10 games, he has only five strikeouts -- along with four HRs and 16 RBI, batting .389.

On the season, Bradley is batting .266 (.861 OPS) with 15 HRs and 57 RBI.

Very few young players have this kind of power, and it's easy to see why the Tribe has resisted adding Bradley to some trades. He could be in line to arrive with the Tribe sometime in 2018.

ABOUT MEJIA

The Indians should be so thankful that Jonathan Lucroy vetoed that trade last season.

Lucroy is a two-time All-Star catcher, a career .282 (.775 OPS) hitter. The Indians thought they had a deal with Milwaukee for Lucroy at the end of July, but he used his no-trade clause to void the trade. He then was dealt to Texas.

With the Rangers in 2017, he's batting only .255 (.662 OPS) with 4 HRs and 23 RBI.

The key prospect in the trade that wasn't? It was catcher Francisco Mejia, who is batting .338 to lead the Eastern League. He has 9 HRs, 34 RBI with a .931 OPS.

Mejia is a switch hitter. He has struck out only 34 times in 58 games.

"He has a special talent to put the barrel of the bat on the ball," said Budzinski. "He can hit a good pitcher's pitch ... and hit it hard. He even hits balls out of the (strike zone) hard. He reminds me of Vladimir Guerrero. He's not up there looking for a walk."

Mejia has only 16 walks this season, just 28 in 102 games in Class A in 2016. But he also batted .342 (.896 OPS) with 11 HRs, 80 RBI and had a 50-game hitting streak.

This season, Mejia is batting .463 vs. lefties. And a very respectable .298 vs. righties.

"He also has a good, accurate arm behind the plate," said Budzinski. "He is still working on blocking balls in the dirt. His English has improved a lot. He is a special talent, one of the most mature hitters I've ever seen in the minors."

Budzinski praised Mejia for "taking losses personally, especially when he is behind the plate. He hates to lose. It upsets him. I love that."

Mejia has thrown out 29 percent of stealing base runners. He's 5-foot-10, 180 pounds. Assuming he stays healthy, he is a sure thing to play in the majors. He could be the good-hitting catcher the Indians need, perhaps as soon as 2018.

ABOUT CHANG

Like Mejia, he was part of the failed Lucroy deal. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound shortstop has a pretty good arm and decent range. What excites scouts is his power.

"Chang has 18 bombs," said Budzinski. "When he gets the bat on the ball, he can drive it."

The issue with Chang is strikeouts. "Handling the spin," said Budzinski, describing a battle with breaking balls.

Chang is batting .218 (.794 OPS) with 18 HR and 44 RBI. He has struck out 89 times in 266 at-bats. So he is not on the same fast track as Bradley and Mejia.

His power and playing shortstop are why it's wise to be patient with him.

ABOUT GREG ALLEN

I didn't see Allen, because the 24-year-old center fielder is recovering from a wrist injury in early May. He is expected back in a few weeks.

Budzinski managed Allen last year at Class A Lynchburg. He batted a combined .295 (.838 OPS) with 7 HRs and 44 RBI between Class A and Class AA last season. He also stole 45 bases.

He also was part of the Lucroy deal.

"Greg is a true leadoff hitter, an excellent center fielder," said Budzinski.

Budzinski praised pitcher Thomas Pannone, who has a combined 6-1 record and 1.46 ERA this season between Class A and Class AA. He's a 23-year-old lefty.

"He throws 88-91 mph," said Budzinski. "He competes, fights you tooth and nail. He has a good mix with a changeup and his breaking ball. He's not afraid to throw strikes. I really like him."

Budzinski had some of the same comments for Matt Esparza, a 22-year-old righty who has a 5-1 record and a 2.86 ERA for Akron. Pannone and Esparza were not on any top Tribe prospect lists at the start of the season.

"Pannone and Esparza are opening some eyes," said Budzinski. "That's really a tribute to them."