We all know how much the Baltimore Orioles love to draft collegiate prospects, but it’s safe to say that finding a player like Enrique Bradfield Jr. is a steal, especially at pick No. 17.
This speedster is a future Gold Glover in the making while being lightning quick, turning easy singles into intense doubles and scoring on ground balls from second. Let’s dive into the O’s No. 4 overall prospect on this edition of Prospect Profiles.
Bradfield Jr. started his career at Vanderbilt, and he wasted no time showing off who he was. The Pembroke Pines, FL, native played in 67 games and slashed .336/.451/.414 with a .865 OPS, collecting 82 total hits, eight doubles, four triples and a home run. Bradfield Jr. walked 45 times yet only struck out 42 times and stole 47 bases in 53 attempts.
Bradfield Jr. would be named SEC Freshman of the Year for the 2020-2021 season and would help Vandy finish as the runner-up of the 2021 College World Series.
As a sophomore, Bradfield Jr. took a small step back offensively in just five fewer games. His average went down to .317, his OPS increased to .913 after a huge slugging increase from .414 to .498.
He collected 77 total hits and upped his extra-base hits to 23, including having a huge increase to eight home runs on the year. He once again had more walks than strikeouts at a 41 to 40 total and most impressively went a perfect 46-for-46 in stolen bases.
While he took another step back offensively in his junior year, EBJ compiled a .279 average, the lowest of his collegiate career, but had an .839 OPS, thanks to a .410 OBP.
EBJ rallied to 65 total hits, 13 doubles and six home runs, finished with 45 walks to 40 strikeouts and ended with 37 steals in 43 attempts. He would finish his collegiate career with 130 steals in 143 attempts.
EBJ would be ranked 21st by MLB Pipeline for the 2023 draft class, which was loaded with outfield prospects. The Orioles would select Bradfield Jr. with the 17th overall pick.
Bradfield Jr. wasted no time showing off in the FCL, as he played just three games, had five hits and walked in every game. He would then get called up to Low-A Delmarva, where once again, he wasted no time showing off.
EBJ played in 17 games, collected 16 hits, walked 19 times and stole 20 bases in 22 attempts. For context, he had 12 stolen bases in a five-game stretch, including a game with four of them. He would finish the season in High-A Aberdeen.
The 2024 season started out just as you would expect it to, as EBJ got on base and was a thief on the base paths. He went 11-for-11 in stolen bases to start the season before he was caught stealing for the first time, meaning he collected 36 straight stolen bases before being caught for the first time as a professional ball player.
EBJ stayed with the IronBirds until August, and while his offense stayed on the lower end with 81 hits and only 20 of them going for extra base, he stole 59 bases and showed off his cannon of an arm with nine assists.
During his brief stint with Double-A Bowie, EBJ’s offense was back on its way up. He slashed .287/.395/.396 with a .791 OPS, posting 29 total hits, seven extra-base hits and stole 15 more bases for a 2024 total of 74 bases in 87 attempts.
With game-changing speed and a slender frame, Bradfield Jr. will never be a slugger. He profiles more as a traditional leadoff hitter, with a flat left-handed swing, strong bunting skills, the ability to manage the strike zone well and excellent contact skills.
The 23-year-old’s Gold Glove capabilities in center field give him one of the highest floors of any prospect in the Orioles system, with the ceiling of an elite table-setter at the highest level.
What are your thoughts on O’s No. 4 prospect, Enrique Bradfield Jr.? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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