Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Superb outfield prospect Jackie Bradley will be joining the Portland Sea Dogs this week, according to Mark Berman of the Roanoke Times.
Bradley, 22, told Berman he did not have any concerns or expectations about the promotion: "You never know until you get there. You just try to go about your business the right way ..."
Bradley's promotion has been speculated for a while, including today's Press Herald story, since he has been dominant with the Salem Red Sox in the advanced Class A Carolina League. Bradley is hitting .359 in 67 games, with a .580 on-base percentage and .526 slugging average (1.006 OPS).
He had 16 stolen bases in 22 attempts, and reportedly plays incredible defense in center field.
Bradley, a supplemental round draft pick last year (40th overall), is playing in the Carolina League vs. California League All-Star Game tonight in North Carolina. It is not known if he is coming Portland directly from there, or will get a day off or two.
Bradley reminds Red Sox fans of another center field prospect who arrived in Portland at the age of 22 after only 61 games in advanced Class A: Jacoby Ellsbury.
Ellsbury came to the Sea Dogs in 2006, a year after he was drafted in the first round. He reached the majors in 2007 and has been a force since, when he's not injured.
Coincidentally, Jacoby Ellsbury bobblehead dolls will be given to the first 1,000 fans tonight at Hadlock Field.
Ellsbury will be a free agent after the 2013 season and, with agent Scott Boras, there is obviously no guarantee he will be in Boston after next year.
His successor may well be on his way to Portland tomorrow.
In minor league news, Pawtucket got some interesting performances Monday night:
Ryan Lavarnway (.291) was 3-for-5 with his 7th home run ... Aaron Cook made a rehab start (4 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K) ... Mark Prior continues to look intriguing, even though he gave up a two-run homer. In six games so far (8 innings), Prior has allowed 4 hits and 5 walks, while striking out 19.
Clay Buchholz (7-2, 5.38) goes tonight for the Red Sox. In his last four games, Buchholz has pitched 31 innings, allowing only 5 runs (1.45 ERA).
Anthony Ranaudo starts for the Sea Dogs tonight. For more on the Sea Dogs starters, see the Press Herald (hey, I can't plug my own stories enough).
And speaking of plugs, check out ClearTheBases on twitter tonight.
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Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws on Holding Court
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