Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Jackie Bradley, Jr: The Forgotten Outfield Gem

(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Remember the glut in the outfield everyone obsessed over? You know, "Where the heck are you going spread out playing time among: Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts, Shane Victorino, Daniel Nava, Allen Craig and Brock Holt?" Hardly anyone added in the name of last year's 'can't miss' phenom: Jackie Bradley, Jr. Quietly, the defensive whiz is starting to re-build his offensive prowess. At Pawtucket, he is leading off and hitting .315 (with a .383 on-base percentage). Interviewed by The Providence Journal's Tim Britton, Bradley stated, "Last year was a lot of things. I don’t really care about last year. I feel good now, and I'm going to focus on what I can control now.  I'm swinging at good pitches and making solid contact. I feel fine." With the injury to Victorino and the precipitous slide of Craig, Bradley may just find his way back to The Show. And, maybe even back into the discussion about Boston's outfield plenty.