Jackie Bradley, a 5'10", 180-pound junior outfielder from the University of South Carolina, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox with the No. 40 overall pick in Compensation Round A in the 2011 MLB Draft on Monday night in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Bradley, who is 21-years-old, was a considered a first rounder entering the season, but had a poor showing at the plate and suffered a wrist injury that required surgery.
In 37 games this season, Bradley hit .259 (36 hits) with six home runs, 26 RBI and a .468 slugging percentage. Here's the lowdown on Bradley (via MLB.com).
He swings a better bat than what he showed this season, having hit well in the tough SEC in the past as well as for Team USA this past summer. Though he's only 5-foot-10, he packs surprising power into his frame. He's a rare combination of an outfielder who has the chance to be an above-average defensive center fielder while having below-average speed. He's got an above-average arm and plus instincts which should allow him to stay there, like a Jim Edmonds.
This is a perfect pick for the Red Sox in the supplemental round, according to Ben Buchanan of Over The Monster.
He was considered a mid-first rounder earlier this spring after hitting .340/.430/.537 and .368/.473/.587 in his first two years at South Carolina, but fell to the Red Sox at #40 after hitting just .259/.361/.468 this year (though he did deal with injuries). This is the kind of player the Red Sox love to grab in the sandwich round, as their stock has fallen, but they get a (potentially) serious first round talent to add to their system. They did it with Anthony Ranaudo last year, and Sox fans can only hope Bradley rebounds in much the same way (except, you know, with his bat).
Here's some video and analysis on Bradley, provided by Major League Baseball.
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