Chansky’s Notebook: The Star You Don’t Know

 

Have you heard of Jackie Bradley Jr. and what he’s doing now?

UNC baseball fans may remember Jackie Bradley Jr. when he played for South Carolina against the Tar Heels. Bradley was considered a very good college player, a solid hitter, and outstanding outfielder. He was selected by Boston at No. 40 in the 2011 MLB supplemental draft.

After a year in the Red Sox farm system, Bradley made the big club but for most of three seasons in the majors was labeled as a sensational outfielder and one of the worst hitters in the game. Bradley barely batted above .200 and was stuck in the ninth spot of the lineup whenever he played. His speed in centerfield kept him with the Red Sox, who could not get anything for him on the trade market. He became a starter after Jacoby Ellsbury signed with the Yankees following the Red Sox world championship of 2013.

A very well-regarded defender, Bradley was never considered a threat in 530 plate appearances. Suddenly, six weeks into the new season, Bradley has become arguably the best player in baseball. He has hit safely in the last 24 games and batted .400 over the four-week span. He has six homers and 31 RBIs, and opposing pitchers cannot get him out. He still bats eighth or ninth in the Boston lineup, but he gives the Red Sox the strongest back end in baseball.

After working diligently in the off-seasons, the light bulb finally came on for Bradley in 2016. He is among the leaders in hits, home runs, RBIs and average on the best offensive team in the American League. He’s become a full-fledged star while Ellsbury, now 32, goes on and off the disabled list in New York. From heading back to the minors, Bradley is now the Red Sox centerfielder for the foreseeable future and remains untradeable for all the other reasons.

Where home and opposing fans could always count on him to be an easy out, he now has comparable overall numbers to young studs Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. Remember the name Jackie Bradley, Jr. He’s the newest star in the Major Leagues.