The Orioles have agreed to a deal with first-round draftee Enrique Bradfield Jr., the club announced. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reports that Bradfield receives a $4.1697MM signing bonus that matches the slot value of the 17th overall pick (Twitter link).
Bradfield ranked between 12th and 21st on pre-draft rankings at Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, ESPN and The Athletic. The Vanderbilt product is an elite runner who’s regarded as a potential Gold Glove defender in center field. He terrorized SEC batteries as a baserunner, going 130-143 on stolen base attempts over three college seasons (including a perfect 46-46 season as a sophomore).
While there’s no question about Bradfield’s athleticism, there’s some debate about how much of an impact he’ll have in the batter’s box. The left-handed hitter put up a .311/.426/.447 line at Vandy, including a .279/.410/.429 slash in his draft year. Evaluators suggest he’s likelier to drive a small-ball offensive profile built around his speed. Keith Law of The Athletic feels he could develop average power but raises questions about his swing mechanics.
The Orioles have skewed towards college hitters at the top of the draft. Since Mike Elias was hired as general manager going into 2019, Baltimore has taken a position player with each of its five top picks. Adley Rutschman, Heston Kjerstad, Colton Cowser and Bradfield all came from the college ranks, while last year’s first overall selection Jackson Holliday was a high school draftee.
Cool, I hope he does well. I wish there were more players like him. Speed and defense.
In case you missed this review of him on Fangraphs:
blogs.fangraphs.com/enrique-bradfield-jr-is-runnin…
Cedric Mullins’ replacement in 2026.
makes sense- Honestly Hayes and Santander are likely nearing an end to their time here- Cowser has one slot, Keston looks real and ready for another. So Mullens would be the next one that needs a replacement- Stowers, Haskins and McKenna all look like AAA or 4th OF types at this point, Beavers could be ready by then too giving them more options. Also who knows what happens with some of the later drafted guys- or what happens if the team is sellers at all during this window (can happen if they just have a rash of injuries)
Those stolen base numbers are impressive. Hopefully the Orioles are smarter than prospect evaluators and they realize that on base percentage is the key to him having a successful career. Not everyone needs to hit 30 bombs to be an impactful offensive player. The new rules can make this guy plenty impactful if he continues to develop the on base skills he showed in college.
Holiday is going to be a star
Holiday is near ML ready today. Pretty crazy that’s true.
The O’s don’t need to rush him with the depth in front of him. But he’s making it hard. Extremely advanced. Going to be scary when he gets his man strength.
i think they are doing everything they can to unleash him next year in hopes of the comp pick. This team has at least a 4 year window right now- and honestly he would need to be immediately better than Frazier and Urias- and that is not realistic.
note- i am not calling Frazier or Urias star players, i am calling them very solid vets. Urias is barely playing after getting a gold glove last year on like a 4-5 WAR season. The infeild is just too good for the Os right now to deal with rookie struggles (Ortiz has had mild struggles and he keeps getting sent back to AAA, and honestly looks like the most likely part to be traded for a pitcher- Ortiz for Civale or Blackburn would make sense)
List is endless of guys who’s power was questioned as amateurs, turn out to hit plenty of hrs.
And vice versa too of course.
No one knows. Draft is a crapshoot
I like the player. Not sure that Baltimore needed another outfielder.
Cool your jets. 1st round arms are higher risk. O’s also have plenty of infield prospects. I love that they have an embarrassment of riches both on the dirt and in the outfield. I’m sure that some of the corner OFs will see some reps at 1B for flexibility too.
I appreciate leveraging the opportunity to take advantage of the return of the SB.
Plus, you’ve beat the drum of your Montgomery and Jack Flaherty so much I’m sure that Elias would be a fool not to listen to the wisdom of that. So that’ll solve all the O’s pitching woes forever. Lol.
The Orioles have needed pitching for the last decade. This isn’t some new thing. The Orioles are stacked in the outfield they just promoted Cowser, Kjerstad looks like a sure thing to me, they have Haskin and Fabian and a couple others I can’t think of off the top of my head.
Like I said I like the player. I don’t understand why they picked an outfielder though.
Probably because they are gonna trade Cowser to the Cardinals right?
We’ll do whatever you’d like. Maybe we’ll send the scion of Holliday home to Busch along with all our OF prospects for Goldy. Would that stop your one trick pony ramblings?
Honestly, I’d prefer to trade some prospects for a rental of Ohtani if we were going to push chips into he middle of the table and “see what will happen” on a playoff push this year.
Not that we’d ever pay to re-sign him afterwards but rings are forever.
Yeah Beavers too. And Norby and Rhodes
Where are all these guys gonna play.
You package prospects as assets to fill the gaps you need. The trade deadline doesn’t wow me this year for arms (other than if we can rent Ohtani). I don’t disagree that the O’s could improve their rotation and middle relief but you speak like prospects can’t be traded so the front office needs to draft to fill their holes or it’s a bust of a draft. Like you’ve forgotten that Bader was a chip to trade for what you needed in Montgomery.
I like our chances with Elias’ plan vs your peanut gallery comments about how O’s fans don’t know what it takes to win. I don’t appreciate you coming over here with your smugness. I have nothing against the Cards and loved the energy of Busch when I visited but you can stop preaching to the Orioles fans.
Clean up your own yard, Elias will make sure the Camden Yards a plenty challenging place for opponents whether Red Birds, Blue Birds or stinky hosiery.
Dude I want the Orioles to go for it and try to win a championship. I understand if ownership is gonna be cheap but geez what’s your deal? The Orioles pitching is not good enough to win a championship I stand by that statement. Shoot I would take Beavers for Montgomery that’s fine with me.
I am tired of trying to have a friendly discussion about trades on a site called trade rumors and fans just refuse to discuss it and act as if their team is fine as is. That’s dumb. I mentioned Paul Goldschmidt and some guy was telling me how good Ryan OHearn is. Seriously dude.
I was hoping Bradfield slipped to 21 and the Cardinals took him. That’s why I made the comment but frankly Chase Davis is gonna be a stud so it’s all good. But he’s not a center fielder Bradfield is and thats what the Caridnals need most.
Goldy is amazing. In my opinion, I don’t think that the bats are the 1st area to improve. Santander is not better than Goldy nor is Montcastle nor O’Heaen even if he somehow can reproduce his solie results so far.
Like I said, I agree that the O’s can use some arms. Where I take offense to your tone is the pokes about how this fan or what are silly for not seeing your brilliant wisdom and how you love to throw the same tired “O’s are cheap” argument for why they don’t do what is so Universally true.
Your Grayson argument in particular where you rattle on and on and on about his AAA stats like that is a 1-for-1 equivalent to how he’d do on his return to the majors. I think Grayson is talented but was not nearly as convinced that he was ready to return NOR did I believe that the main reason for him still being in Norfolk was the “Orioles cheapness”. The O’s rotation has looked a bit better in the last say 20-30 games and the coaching staff didn’t think it was the right time. Today’s showing is just one game bit he struggled some against a strong Dodgers offense.
I am happy to discuss how potential trades might help both sides but my opinion is that the O’s fans here didn’t really want to engage with you because of the manner in which you pester and belittle people.
mlbtraderumors.com/2023/07/orioles-to-recall-grays…
By the way, giving up solo dingers is not the death blow you seem to believe. Unfortunately, it’s how the game is changing. Garrett Cole and Verlander certainly have given up their share of the long ball. I’m NOT saying that Tyler Wells is on the level of either of those aces but quoting a pitcher’s HR given up doesn’t paint the full pitcher. 6 innings and 2 ER every start isn’t something a whole lot of starters can claim and that makes Wells a very good starter, and gives his team a strong opportunity to win when he can give that kind of line most starts.
The Orioles are cheap. After the way they finished 2022 it was obvious to anyone in baseball that they were ready to take the next step. And who did they sign? Kyle Gibson yipty doo.
I understand a team wanting to rebuild. And the Orioles have done a great job of doing it. But now it’s time to spend money and make moves. That’s the difference between the current Astros and what the Pirates did a few years ago. You have to spend now. The future can’t always be tomorrow.
Montgomery for Beavers. Who says no? If we keep Montgomery we get a pick in the 60s so Beavers, who I think was picked in the 30s, is an upgrade and worth doing the deal.
Stop telling me how good Tyler Wells is. I don’t care. Orioles need to upgrade the rotation in order to have a legit chance to win a championship. If I was Mozeliak and you were whoever the Orioles GM is Elias I think is his name I would tell you to buck up or shut up.
Montgomery is a #3 for the lowly O’s this year, right now. Do you think that’s going to make the difference? How deluded are you about your guy?
I certainly wasn’t wowed by Gibson either but last year in particular was a runaway train in over pays. Cohen and the Rangers apparently had silly money to burn. What if the O’s had signed Tallison, Syndergaard or traded for Flexen — or all three, would having their drag on the payroll for 2-3 yrs to quiet the “their cheap” critics have helped their rebuild and WS chances?
As much fun as I’ve had with the Orioles, it’s been quite a decent showing for a group of very untested young players. And I believe that they are a year early on their rise. Glad for it but I think I’m realistic that they’re not the Braves. Everyone wants to play armchair GM and act like they *know* what it’ll take for a ring but, I guess I’m just lukewarm to the idea that the Cardinals have the magic pieces as their best trade partner.
If I say that we’ll give you Holliday, Henderson, Stowers, Cowser, Beavers and maybe a ground hog too… will you maybe shut up and move onto bug another team? Count the number of posts you’ve made on O’s posts and ask yourself why you’re obsessing.
Then maybe go over to another team’s posts and ramble on. I’d suggest a team out of the Bronx or one with a big green wall in left north of them.
Dude if you don’t think your team should make trades then maybe find something else to do the next couple of weeks.
Yes even if Motgomery is your number 3 that would be a big upgrade. And the Cardinals have rental relievers available too good ones.
I don’t get where you are coming from. I suggested trading your 4th best outfield prospects, maybe 5th after Bradfield joins the rankings, and you act like I am the jerk here.
Again if you don’t want to talk trades then find something else to do. I do that’s why I am here.
king, You make assumptions (that all I think we need is Ohtani and don’t think the O’s need anything or to work trades) that aren’t even close to true.
I never said that. I believe what they need to improve first is middle relief. Dillon Tate (& Givens) not being available has hurt a lot. The bridge from the starters that rarely give than 6 frames until Columbe/Cano/Bautista needs help.
(DL Hall back in Sarasota working on some things… I don’t even want to talk about that.)
Be nice to trade some of the surplus talent in high minors for a 1-2 high leverage middle relievers. I believe that Perez just can’t be trusted at this point. I was hoping Hall could be his replacement. Not yet.
Maybe Grayson can fill the #5 starter and Irvine can fill a long man role. But the Os would still need a trustworthy middle reliever regardless.
I don’t believe that the bats are either the #1 nor #2 priorities right now.
Hicks and Stratton. Both are available. I could do those 2 plus Montgomery or Flaherty for Beavers and something else. Maybe a middle infielder who isn’t quite big league ready yet because we need one to replace Edman long term and the Orioles have plenty.
I will run some ideas through the trade simulator this evening and see what happens. I like Beavers and Fabian. That’s who I want from the Orioles if not Cowser who might be unavailable now with his strong 2023 season. I wanted Cowser last year during the offseason but that ship might have sailed already.
The Orioles will improve middle relief? Why? Because it is CHEAP and the options are plentiful.
The Orioles tend to hug their own prospects more than any other organization in baseball and not understand that if they have a wealth of them, trading those to upgrade other needs would help the team. But instead they’ll hold onto them all, and when most invariably fail, they missed their opportunity to “sell high.”
I don’t think too much is needed on offense but it certainly isn’t dominating. Hays/Mullins/Santander/Cowser taking OF, Santander et al on DH, that isn’t bad. Having Mountcastle/O’Hearn platoon could be palatable if not decent, adding Kjerstad into that or taking it over is better. Mateo can’t hit, maybe someone will take him, and Urias can be the utility IF. This is an above average…not dominating, but not average…offense.
The back end of the bullpen is good. But the Orioles also have more of a need of middle relief than other teams because they won’t get the starters who will go more than 6 innings. That leaves games like the other day – when the starter does well and the middle relief implodes – or games when the starter isn’t good enough to have them in it.
Irvin is garbage. DL Hall is yet another failed “grown arm” turned reliever in the mold of Brian Matusz and dozens of others.
They’d have to give up way too much for Ohtani (plus they don’t really need yet another OF) but giving up some of their prospect wealth and or cash for a #1 and #2 type starter makes the ENTIRE ROTATION stronger. If Wells and Bradish are your #3 and #4 guys instead of #1 and #2, you have a good rotation. The Orioles have failed to do this ever since lowballing Mike Mussina over 20 years ago and losing him…and it has held them back ever since.
Saw him play at Vandy.
Smooth. Owns that pasture.
Bluejays signed there 1st rounder 740k UNDER SLOT how is that not news
Heres the jays sigining table with slot price vs actual sign value. They have 2 guys signed plus 2 NDFA
bluebirdbanter.com/2023/7/12/23674946/2023-blue-ja…
Because Canada doesn’t count?
Calm down man. I am sure they will get to it.
Still mourning Lightfoot’s death.
I don’t think it’s fair to paint all GMs with one organizational paintbrush as if they’re all the same. We just don’t know what Elias will do with this surplus of budding talent. While Irine hasn’t shown a lot of success early in the season, he has several years in the A’s org going deep in games and producing quality starts. The O’s also have him under control for some time — the acquisition was Elias’ first real prospect for ML talent swap. He did exactly what you’re beating him up for (not letting go of prospects) and Hernaiz was blocked.
I think it’s a bit early call DL Hall a failed (starter) “grown arm”. Also, hyperbole to say he’s done and can only be a reliever. We have no idea yet.
Ohtani, an outfielder? Not sure what that comment referred to. Strawman argument. He has played 7 games in the field in his MLB career and not since 2021. As for giving up way too much, it’s a rental not a new contract. Hoping to put a streak together and capturing some Orioles magic in the post season when we had Ohtani. Adding him as a hired gun (P/DH) this year would likely cost 2 decent prospects and maybe a single A or AA middling lottery ticket. You have already said the O’s have too many prospects. Ohtani gives the O’s an undisputed ace and allows our current rotation to slide down a day. (Some guy named Thornton Mellon suggested that might be a good idea.) WhiteSox said that Dylan Cease is off limits. So I can’t off the top of my head think of a #2 trade target that isn’t going to cost MORE than the Ohtani rental. And Jordan Montgomery is not a #1 or #2 for the O’s, so no thanks.
O’s certainly haven’t had incredible history of developing starters (*cough* drafting Matt Hobgood, Hunter Harvey, Matuaz, whiffing on Jake Arietta, Kevin Guasman). But the blossoming of strikeout champ Erik Bedard, and how John Means has developed shouldn’t be ignored.
I don’t think that there are many O’s fans that like the Angelos family but as we don’t have the money to buy them out, their “cheapness” that everyone understandably thrashes them for isn’t something we can fix as fans. Even when they do spend a few bucks, we get Adam Frazier and block our own less expensive in-house options on the Farm. It’s punishing. I think that a lot of the O’s fans beg Santa every single year for new ownership in Baltimore. Until then, we’re stuck with Quasimodo and his mom.
Just saying the “O’s are cheap” isn’t really adding anything intelligent to the narrative and worse, treats John Angelo’s like a real owner that cares about your opinion. He doesn’t and is a clown.
Mac
Points of clarification-
O’s are cheap = going to stick with going after a middle reliever because that is the cheapest and most plentiful in terms of players available of all choices. 20+ years of precedent here. Certainly the rotation needs upgrades, but they will not pay for it.
Ohtani – the chances of him coming to the Orioles are about the same as mine (I’m almost 50, but I’ll also play for the league minimum). They already have enough people who they feel are adequately fitting the bill with OF and DH. Yes Ohtani would be an upgrade but not for the $. I also agree he would make the rotation better from top to bottom. Its just not going to happen. Especially when NYY, LAD are panting with wallets in hand to pay more than the Orioles ever would.
Bedard – the best the org has done with a pitcher since Mussina, yes. (someone will say Tillman but he was developed by Seattle). Also traded at the exact right time before the injuries came. I just don’t count him as a full success given they got just 2 very good and 1 good season from him. Even Jeff Ballard put up one great season. I would rate Bedard over Gausman in terms of closest…but if you go back Storm Davis and Mike Boddicker both had much longer, sustained careers and I call them successes even though they weren’t Jim Palmer or Mike Mussina either.
Means – if he is able to come back from the injuries and be effective over another full season or two then I have to make him an exception. Right now he’s at 2 x 3/4 of a season with effective starting ability. Not an ace, but he’s a #3 on good rotations for sure. My caveats are his FIP resembling Wells and the fact that he’s a soft tosser not named Jamie Moyer are two things going against him.
Irvin – I brought up his home/away splits when they traded for him. OPACY is not the cavernous Coliseum and also has better food and a few less rats. Plus the AL East is not the AL West/little sisters of the poor. He’s like Sid Fernandez, who was a “national league pitcher”…terrible in the AL, effective in the NL. Irvin was another cheap move.
DL Hall – In the past 20 years once a guy moves from starter to reliever and it is usually due to injuries, have you seen one come back to make a splash as a great starter?
LOL Angelos not caring about my opinion. True. And he wouldn’t write back like Leonsis did when I asked him about Caps games start times moving up when living in Baltimore.
The DL Hall episode of this Orioles Daytime Drama has been pretty soul crushing. Is he a reliever now though? He’s kind of nothing, neither starter nor reliever as he is “deloading”or whatever nonsense to become a reliever as that’s what’s needed right now. The reports have him lifting to help his velo for the pen.
I don’t know that any writer I’ve read states the org is permanently changing him to a bullpen piece. DL Hall does not equal Hunter Harvey… YET. I can see them stretching him out again in Sarasota next Spring and seeing if he can break camp in the rotation.
As for reliever and then back to starter… I don’t think you need to look any further than the current defacto “#1”, Tyler Wells.
As some of my other points previously, just too early to lock in that disappointing plot line. Might happen, you may be right… Just not yet, Chicken Little. Lol.
While I sound all Rose Colored Glasses… I want to make one thing clear, I’ve been an Orioles fan for far too long to believe really any hype about the team. The O’s will set you up to forget your own experience and then dash your optimism on the rocks of an Angelos arrogance. I say that as the O’s beat the Dodgers and the Rangers took out the Rays today, so the Orioles are on first place in the AL and AL East. My cynical side says we’re being set up to be crushed.