As Opening Day is right around the corner for the Gamecocks, a few South Carolina players are getting their first shot at the big leagues, and former players used to this routine are starting to arrive at spring training for the upcoming MLB season.
But Jackie Bradley Jr., who once donned a Gamecock jersey himself, may soon find himself with a different team. This offseason, his name has surfaced in trade rumors as the Boston Red Sox look to add powerful bats to a lineup that ranked last in total home runs out of all American League teams in 2017.
However, it would be unwise for the Red Sox front office to trade Bradley Jr., as he brings a lot to the table. Gamecock fans are well aware of this talent. The South Carolina alumnus almost routinely makes sensational catches in the outfield at Fenway Park, similar to what he did at Founders Park, that make their way onto highlight reels on televisions and smartphones across the country. His speed on the base paths does not go unrecognized, and he figures to be a fixture in the Red Sox outfield for the upcoming campaign.
Considering what he did during his college career for the Gamecocks, it probably does not surprise many South Carolina baseball fans that Bradley Jr. has put together a respectable career at the next level. In 2009, Bradley Jr. was a consensus 2009 freshman All-American by Baseball America and named to 2009 SEC All-Freshman Team. He regularly put together strong performances, including compiling four hits in six at-bats with three runs, three RBI and a home run in a 20-19 win over Kentucky. Later in his freshman season, Bradley Jr. was a key contributor in a 20-6 rout of College of Charleston in which he posted a career-high 5 hits to go along with three runs scored and a pair of RBI.
Bradley Jr. did not take his foot off the gas pedal during his next season in garnet and black and made a name for himself in 2010. Ever since he delivered a pinch-hit single in his first at-bat of the year against East Carolina, the only direction he went was up. In the South Carolina Clemson series, he earned the Tom Price Award for MVP of the Gamecocks after going 6 for 12 with a home run, three runs scored and four RBI. Subsequently during the 2010 season, Bradley Jr. was named to NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team, SEC All-Defensive Team, earned second-team All-SEC honors, All-Tournament Team at College World Series and Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series. On top of playing on a South Carolina team that captured its first-ever national title, he also played for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team.
The following year, Jackie Bradley Jr.’s name was called at the MLB Draft when the Red Sox selected him 40th overall. Prior to that, in what would be his final season with the Gamecocks, he was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team. For good measure, he was also a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Perhaps a player as decorated as he was destined to reach the majors, and he accomplished that feat two years later when he made his major league debut for the Red Sox in 2013.
However, as things stand in 2018, Bradley Jr’s chances of being on the Red Sox roster when Opening Day comes around on March 29 are cloudy.
If Jackie Bradley Jr. does ultimately find himself part of a trade package from Boston to another franchise, Gamecock fans should know that he will continue the success that he started at South Carolina and continue to put the program on the map.