Enrique Bradfield

Enrique Bradfield Jr.
Baltimore Orioles
Outfielder
Born: (2001-12-02) December 2, 2001 (age 22)
Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left

Enrique Antonio Bradfield Jr. (born December 2, 2001) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Baltimore Orioles organization.

High school career

Bradfield attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida where he played baseball. In July 2019, he participated in the High School All-Star Game at Progressive Field.[1] During his shortened senior season in 2020, he batted .367 with one home run, ten RBIs, and five stolen bases.[2]

College career

Bradfield went unselected in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft and enrolled at Vanderbilt University to play college baseball.

Bradfield was immediately inserted into the Vanderbilt starting lineup as a freshman in 2021.[3] Over 67 games, he batted .336 with one home run, 38 RBIs, and 47 stolen bases, which led the NCAA.[4] He was named the Southeastern Conference Baseball Freshman of the Year as well as First Team All-SEC.[5][6][7] Defensively, he had a .992 field percentage, earned a ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove, and was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team.[8] Bradfield returned as Vanderbilt's starting center fielder in 2022 and was named First Team All-SEC and to the SEC All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive year.[9] Over 62 games, he slashed .317/.415/.498 with eight home runs, 36 RBIs, and 46 stolen bases.[10] He was named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team following the season's end,[11] and played in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Cotuit Kettleers.[12][13] For the 2023 season with Vanderbilt, Bradfield hit .279 with six home runs, 34 RBIs, and 37 stolen bases over 62 games.[14]

Professional career

Bradfield was selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft.[15] On July 17, 2023, Bradfield signed with the Orioles for a slot value bonus worth $4.17 million.[16]

Bradfield made his professional debut with the Florida Complex League Orioles and also played with the Delmarva Shorebirds and Aberdeen IronBirds.[17] Over 25 games between the three teams, he hit .291 with 25 stolen bases.[18] Bradfield was assigned to Aberdeen to open the 2024 season.[19]

Personal life

Bradfield's father, Enrique Sr., played college baseball at St. Thomas University.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Rosters: High School Baseball All-Star Game and Home Run Derby". July 5, 2019.
  2. ^ "Dynamic Bradfield in full sprint". Perfect Game.
  3. ^ Sparks, Adam. "Vanderbilt base stealer Enrique Bradfield broke slump with 'Major League' movie inspiration". The Tennessean.
  4. ^ "Multiple 'Dores named to preseason All-America teams". Nashville Post. 31 January 2022.
  5. ^ Yates, Clinton (June 25, 2021). "For Vanderbilt's two freshman phenoms, success is a family affair".
  6. ^ "Three 'Dores named All-SEC, Enrique Bradfield Jr. wins Freshman of the Year". Vandy247.
  7. ^ Gallagher, Michael (25 May 2021). "Leiter, Bradfield Jr. headline multiple 'Dores earning All-SEC honors". Nashville Post.
  8. ^ "Bradfield Jr. living up to Gold (glove) standard". Nashville Post. 24 June 2021.
  9. ^ Gerson, Aria. "Vanderbilt baseball's Enrique Bradfield, Dominic Keegan, Spencer Jones named All-SEC". The Tennessean.
  10. ^ "Vanderbilt baseball: Enrique Bradfield Jr., Carter Holton earn Team USA training camp invites". The Tennessean.
  11. ^ "USA Baseball Names 2022 Collegiate National Team Roster".
  12. ^ "#6 Enrique Bradfield". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  13. ^ "Live Looks: Cape Cod League featuring Enrique Bradfield Jr". 29 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Enrique Bradfield Jr. Is Running Down a Dream". July 7, 2023.
  15. ^ "Vanderbilt's Enrique Bradfield Jr. to Baltimore Orioles in Round 1 of 2023 MLB Draft". The Tennessean.
  16. ^ "Baltimore Orioles Ink Top Pick Enrique Bradfield Jr. to Slot Value Contract". si.com. 17 July 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Orioles first-round pick Enrique Bradfield Jr.'s baseball savvy has impressed people since he was 5: 'He just loves the game'". Baltimore Sun. 2023-08-06. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  18. ^ "Enrique Bradfield Jr. Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  19. ^ "Here's where the Orioles' Top 30 prospects are starting the season". MLB.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  20. ^ "It's his bag: Bradfield blazes trail as premier base stealer". AP NEWS. May 25, 2022.