The difference between Enrique Bradfield Jr. in the final weeks of the 2023 season and his start to the 2024 campaign is, in his words, “night and day.”
Bradfield was drafted in July by the Orioles, 17th overall out of Vanderbilt — the lowest first-round draftee under general manager Mike Elias amid the team’s lengthy rebuild — and lauded as an elite runner and defender in center field. He signed for a full-slot bonus of $4.17 million.
“We’ve got a young, talented major league team that’s not going anywhere,” Elias said at the time, “and then we’ve got a historically good group in the minor leagues that’s coming and now, we’ve got guys like [Bradfield].”
A year later, the sentiment still rings true.
Bradfield started his pro career in Low-A Delmarva, where he slashed .302/.494/.834 through 17 games. He had only two extra-base hits but stole 20 bags in his short time there. By September, Bradfield was promoted to High-A Aberdeen, where he spent the final five games of the season. He enjoyed his first full professional offseason and is now back with the IronBirds to begin 2024.
“I’m a different person and a different player,” Bradfield said. “I’ve learned a lot. Spent the offseason just training and finding ways to improve. I feel like that’s something that’s gonna show going forward. It’s not always in the stat line. There are some things that you can’t measure in stats that I’ve definitely improved on.”
Perhaps the biggest step for Bradfield has been his baseball maturity and mental fortitude. He has learned that not every day will be his best, applauding himself with small wins and not getting too hard on himself after mistakes.
Take, for example, his Aberdeen home opener last week. Bradfield went 0-for-4 at the plate in the 4-0 win.
“I had three good swings and they just turned out not to be hits,” he said confidently. “There’s nothing to hang my head over or beat myself up over. I’m not gonna waste my time doing it. … Trying not to be on a roller coaster of emotions from game to game.”
Through Wednesday, Bradfield has played 10 games. He is 9-for-35 with seven runs scored, four stolen bases and no shortage of defensive wizardry. Scouts fawn over his 80-grade speed in the field and around the base paths.
Enrique Bradfield Jr. showed off ALL of his tools yesterday
Ripped a 3B to deep center in the 1st followed by a sweet diving catch in CF in the 6th
.378 OBP, 4/4 SB, 6 R through 8 G@EBradfield20 @VandyBoys @AHPBAthletics #Birdland #Orioles pic.twitter.com/NtunSpdU9V
— Michael Marcantonini (@MIKEdUpSports) April 15, 2024
Bradfield spent some of his offseason tinkering with his swing and his approach at the plate. When probed for further details, he smirked and said “I’ll probably keep that internal.” Bradfield continued to say that he realizes hitting is never a finished product, so he’s simply enjoying the process.
Bradfield’s speed and defensive capabilities, however, are well documented. Had he not opted to play at Vanderbilt and enter the 2020 draft, he would’ve been the fastest player in the pool. According to MLB.com, he has drawn comparisons with six-time All-Star outfielder Kenny Lofton, who led the league in stolen bases five times and won four Gold Glove Awards.
“He’s a great kid,” IronBirds manager Felipe Rojas said of Bradfield. “He communicates really well. He’s a lot of fun, a great guy to be around. You can see that spark. He’s not ashamed.”
With Bradfield’s first-round status in an organization that is on a remarkable run reloading through the draft, there’s an inherent level of expectation to continue such a successful trend.
The Orioles’ first selection in each of the four drafts that preceded Bradfield were all among the top five, and all of them have dressed for the major league team. In 2019, it was catcher Adley Rustchman at No. 1. Slugger Heston Kjerstad was No. 2 in 2020, outfielder Colton Cowser went fifth in 2021 and infielder Jackson Holliday was selected first in 2022. Kjerstad is the only member of that foursome not currently in Baltimore; he’s raking in Triple-A Norfolk.
Does Bradfield feel any pressure or excitement following in those footsteps?
“It’s never pressure,” said the organization’s No. 5 prospect, according to Baseball America. “This is what I was born to do. I would say it’s more so destiny.”
Bradfield had the chance to meet many of the preceding youngsters drafted before him last summer during a home series in July against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was able to pick the brains of Rustchman, Cowser and Gunnar Henderson, among others, and did so again during spring training.
“They’re approachable, always willing to share some advice,” Bradfield said. “So coming back after the offseason and heading over to big league camp [in Sarasota, Florida,] for a couple days and hanging out with them, it was awesome.”
The piece of advice that has stuck with him the most was simply to take the days for what they are. It’s a long season.
That wisdom, imparted since he was drafted, has been a big part of his mental journey, something he says the organization takes great pride in.
“I know what I’m capable of,” Bradfield said. “I guess we’ll just let time do its thing and everybody will see soon.”