2023 MLB Draft Profile: Enrique Bradfield Jr.
Enrique Bradfield Jr. is one of my favorite players set to be selected during the 2023 Rule 4 Amatuear First-Year Player Draft – AKA otherwise known as the MLB Draft. What should you know about the Vanderbilt outfielder? Let’s review Bradfield Jr’s official draft profile!
Scouting grades (according to MLB.com): Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 80 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Similar to Justin Crawford from a year ago, the run tool is something to get really excited about. With the new rules, stealing bases is now at a premium. You need more guys like Corbin Carroll and Bradfield has a chance to be that type of guy on the base path. Bradfield racked up 130 stolen bases in three years at Vandy. I think those numbers speak for themselves.
Bradfield would have been selected high during the 2020 MLB Draft but insisted on attending Vanderbilt. It was probably for the best because the hit tool has been inconsistent. The average was down to .279, which should be considered problematic given the metal bats they use in college. His best season was actually as a freshman when he hit .336. The good news is the strikeout numbers are pretty consistent. A 16.9% strikeout rate for a leadoff guy is something I can live with.
Even if Bradfield isn’t hitting for batting titles, he makes good contact and should be a reliable guy to get on base. It’s also someone that will force defensive errors that don’t show up in the box score given the speed.
The arm is fine. It’s better than the noodle arm Johnny Damon had but it’s not great either. Probably would prefer to play Bradfield in center but does have good range to track balls in a corner spot. More so, the concerning part is the 170 pound frame. Is this someone that can hold up at the big league level or will he become another Byron Buxton injury hazard?
Enrique Bradfield Jr. reminds me a lot of Juan Pierre. Both of whom are skinny lefties that are speed demons out there in centerfield. It looks like the Vandy product will be taken in the middle portion of the first round and should feel confident that they’re getting a quality major leaguer.
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