BLUF: Very fundamental and instinctual player that can contribute in every phase of the game.

The Player: Jackie Bradley (OF, Boston Red Sox) – Excellent player on one of college baseball’s best teams at South Carolina. Dealt with some injury issues in college but has not had any trouble as a professional. Only saw action in ten games last year as part of debut. Hit .359/.480/.526 in 67 games at High-A to start the 2012 season. Promoted to Double-A around mid-season and has posted a solid .275/.364/.466 line.

Basis of Report: Compilation – Personal Observation (College, Eastern League 2012) Industry Contacts

Scouting Report

Body (5-10, 180): Good athlete. Smaller size but has good strength and athleticism. Not a classic fast-twitch guy but moves very well. Overall solid body.
Hit: Solid, compact stroke. Gets to the ball quickly and can spray ball to all fields with ease. Knows the strike zone well and attacks pitches he can reach. Has a plan in every at-bat. Average plate coverage. Has the strength to drive the ball. Fundamental hitter. Gets over-eager at times and tries to pull the ball. Makes adjustments well. Plus hitter long term. Grade – 50/60
Power: Has strength to drive ball out of the park but is better working gap to gap. Ability to pile up doubles with 40+ per season and 10-12 home runs at his peak. Not a big part of his game. Below-average HR power but gap power helps him play above grade. Grade (raw power) – 40/40
Arm: Solid-average arm that plays well in CF. Gets rid of the ball quickly. Very fundamental with throws, hitting cuts and always throwing to proper base. Grade – 50/50
Fielding: Outstanding defender. Incredible instincts. Gets great jumps and takes impeccable routes to the ball. Defense is plus-plus without plus speed. Can really go get it in both gaps. Goes back and comes in equally well. Truly outstanding defender that can win Gold Gloves. Grade – 70/70
Speed: Average speed down the line. Speed plays up offensively and defensively because of instincts. Aggressive base runner that can steal 15-20 bases annually and take extra bases when available. Grade – 50/50

Summation:  Highly cerebral player. Very instinctual in every phase of the game. Fundamentally sound. Plus-plus makeup/character. Solid tools across the board. Tools play up because of instincts and effort. Approach, contact ability and gap power should allow him to hit toward the top of the lineup. Has speed to swipe some bases. Everything plays a little higher than the raw grades. Potential elite defender up the middle with more than enough offense. Championship caliber player. Very polished already. Tools play well into skills.

Relative Risk: Low. Broad set of skills and nearly big league ready.

Future: Hitting some bumps in Double-A but making quick adjustments. Will need another half to three-quarters of a season in the minor leagues and is on pace to take over in center field for Jacoby Ellsbury.