Enrique Bradfield Jr. is aware of skilled baseball will likely be an adjustment. “The game is fast,” he stated.
But so is he.
Bradfield, the speedy outfielder out of Vanderbilt who the Orioles chosen No. 17 general Sunday night time within the first spherical of the MLB draft, stated throughout his introductory press convention that he’s assured he’ll hit the bottom working to start his skilled profession in Baltimore’s minor league system.
“I have no concerns about going up to the next level and not having success,” Bradfield stated. “I’ve been able to adapt to every level I’ve ever been at and be able to produce, and I feel like this one’s going to be no different.”
Bradfield, who Baseball America ranked because the Sixteenth-best prospect within the draft, was stunned the Orioles chosen him as a result of he didn’t have a lot communication with the group throughout the predraft course of. While turning into an Oriole “definitely came as a shock,” that didn’t damper the 21-year-old’s pleasure to affix the No. 1 farm system within the sport.
“It was meant to be,” he stated. “I am where I need to be, and I’m glad the Orioles gave me the opportunity.”
“I’m excited,” Bradfield added. “Watching the Orioles in the big leagues right now, they have a bunch of young guys out there who are playing really good baseball, really talented players. They’re all homegrown players. The fact that the organization can really develop guys gives me a level of excitement for me to go there and know that I’m going to get better every day.”
Executive vp and common supervisor Mike Elias stated Sunday night time that Bradfield wasn’t one of many eight to 10 gamers Elias noticed in particular person. “I didn’t need to,” Elias stated, noting how typically Vanderbilt, maybe the very best faculty baseball program within the nation, performs on tv.
In Bradfield, the Orioles are getting one of the vital constant performers on the high of the school stage. He performed 191 video games throughout three seasons, posting related numbers annually and displaying elite contact potential, base stealing potential and heart subject protection.
“We pour a ton of data analysis resources into college statistics and college data, so anytime we can take an elite college player, we feel good about the work that’s gone into that,” Elias stated. “I think what’s rare in this case that has us excited is the physical tools that he has. Oftentimes, college kids, the top performers, are just less toolsy than the high school players, but this guy is a plus-plus runner and he can defend with anybody and he’s got some strength and some pop in his body. That plus an elite performance resume adds up to a nice first-round pick for us.”
He walked greater than he struck out — a formidable feat, even on the faculty stage — in all three seasons with a profession on-base share of .426. He walked 131 instances and stole 130 bases on 143 makes an attempt in his profession.
“I think whenever you have a player that comes into the SEC and walks more than he strikes out for three consecutive years, that’s the type of guy that you want hitting at the top of your lineup,” Orioles director of draft operations Brad Ciolek stated. “I know in the past few drafts we’ve taken a lot of guys that have some power production and this is a little bit of a different look, but having that guy at the top of the lineup wreak havoc on the basepaths and play a double-plus defense in center field really makes you feel good as far as the entire package that you’re getting. He’s the type of guy that you probably hate playing against and love having him if he’s on your team.”
To progress by the minors, Bradfield should discover ways to shortly adapt to new ranges. Elias stated Bradfield will seemingly begin his skilled profession within the Florida Complex League earlier than ending the season in Low-A Delmarva — the everyday path for a first-round choice.
The final time Bradfield needed to study a brand new stage, he dealt with it with aplomb. At 19 years outdated in 2021, he hit .336 and stole 47 bases for Vanderbilt whereas enjoying in maybe the very best faculty baseball convention.
Baseball America gave Bradfield an 80 grade, the very best on the scouting scale, for his protection and velocity, however whether or not his hitting potential, particularly his energy, will adapt to greater ranges stays a query. This spring, Bradfield had his worst offensive season at Vanderbilt, hitting .279 — almost 50 factors worse than his common over his first two seasons — and he totaled simply 15 residence runs in 896 plate appearances.
“Offensively, I know I’m going to be able to adapt to the next level,” Bradfield stated. “Obviously, I didn’t have the best year last year at Vanderbilt, but you have to look at it with a grain of salt. I also was very unlucky, I hit the ball hard and just didn’t find the holes. I feel like going forward I’m going to be fine.”
Considering a highschool participant Elias drafted a yr in the past is now in Double-A, he stated he’s “stopped trying to predict” which gamers will likely be quick risers. However, he expects Bradfield to “transition to pro ball pretty smoothly.”
“I definitely have no reason to believe that he won’t move quickly, but we’ll see when he gets in there,” Elias stated.
After Bradfield was drafted, present and former members of the group congratulated him on social media, together with third base prospect Coby Mayo. Bradfield and Mayo, who was promoted to Triple-A on Sunday, performed on the identical youth baseball crew in Florida once they had been 11 years outdated.
“Coby is a good friend, I’ve known him since we were small,” Bradfield stated. “For this to happen now and for us to be in the same organization is something that’s like full circle.”
Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and five-time All-Star Adam Jones had been additionally amongst those that welcomed Bradfield to Baltimore on social media. He hopes to sooner or later play on the identical subject they did.
“It’s special, especially for guys like that to just congratulate a 21-year-old like me,” he stated. “They’re legends in the sport. Cal Ripken is somebody who has done something that nobody else has been able to do. And Adam Jones is a legend. I remember watching his highlights from the USA World Baseball Classic and him robbing home runs and making plays in center field. That’s where I see myself being in a couple of years.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com