If you’ve been paying any attention to Spring Training this season, you’ll know of the emergence of Jackie Bradley Junior. He was selected 40th overall in the 2011 draft, was awarded the Minor League Defensive Player of the Year by the Red Sox for the 2012 season, and hit .315 with 55 extra-base-hits, 87 walks, and 63 RBIS (in 128 games) last year. He’ll be 23 next month and is ranked 32nd in MLB.com Top Prospects for 2013.
Bradley’s been argued to be the Red Sox’s center fielder of the future, once Jacoby Ellsbury has moved on from the Sox. I’m not here to argue whether Ellsbury will indeed sign elsewhere after the season (facts: Scott Boras is Ellsbury’s agent). But let’s face it, the Sox need and will get younger over the next couple years. They have some exciting prospects and rookies that’ll make a difference (look no further than Will Middlebrooks from last season, even if his season was derailed by a freak accident).
In six Spring Training games this season, Bradley has hit .533 (8 for 17) with 4 runs, 1 RBI, 1 double, and 1 stolen base. He’s struck out twice and walked once. Yes, this is a very small, limited, sample size, but that’s what Spring Training is about. It’s a chance to see new guys and what they can (potentially) do.
Bradley didn’t go further than AA last year, so I doubt the Sox are in any hurry to trade Ellsbury away and make room on the big league roster for Bradley. But, Bradley could be making a case about bench spot or even a case to make room for him before the trade deadline this year.
The Sox’s outfield for 2013 appears to be as follows, pending any trades: left field- Jonny Gomes (signed a 2 year/ $10 million contract this off season), center field- Jacoby Ellsbury (will be a free agent after the 2013 season), and right field- Shane Victorino (signed a 3 year/ $39 million contract this off season). The Sox have Daniel Nava, Ryan Sweeney, Jeremy Hazelbaker, and Mitch Maier also fighting for a bench spot.
Whether Bradley joins the Red Sox roster in 2013 or 2014, one thing is for certain; he will be making the roster and providing a spark for the Sox in the near future. He’s going to be a young, exciting outfielder to watch, much like Jacoby Ellsbury when he burst onto the scene in 2007 (everyone remembers the stolen base off the Yankees).
Spring Training is a chance for the teams and the fans to see more than just the 25-man roster players; it’s also a chance to see the future. If Bradley lives up to the hype, the Sox’s future looks bright.
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