Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game.
As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring Breakout showcase between Orioles and Yankees prospects at Ed Smith Stadium -- aired live across the country on MLB Network -- he let out all of his emotions. He screamed loudly in celebration, putting a challenging week behind him in the process.
That hustle play was made for Isaiah Hood, Bradfield’s former teammate during his high school travel ball days in South Florida who died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 25 on Tuesday.
“For me to come out here, it’s meant a lot to me, personally,” said Bradfield, Baltimore’s No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, who was born in Pembroke Pines, Fla. “To be able to give my mom a hug and see how emotional she is, see my sister still come out here, and I guess just play for my friend. It was tougher than I expected, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. I hope he’s resting up there. It’s just been a tough week for everybody that I’ve been around -- for my family, friends, his family. Playing with a heavy heart.”
Hood was a fellow baseball player who graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2019. He remained in Bradfield’s mind throughout Saturday night.
“A very quiet kid. Once you got him in a comfortable setting, he really opened up,” Bradfield said. “He’s a great friend, great person, great big brother, great son, all the way around. There’s a lot of people, including myself, including my family, who are hurting right now. Just made the past couple of days very tough. Trying to stay busy, keep my mind in good spirits. But at the end of the day, it’s a loss of life that can’t be replaced. It’s just hard. It’s very tragic and hard all the way around.”
Bradfield put on the type of performance during the Orioles’ 5-4 win that he was sure would have made his friend proud.
In the bottom of the first, Bradfield slapped a leadoff single to left-center field. He moved from first to third on an errant pickoff throw by New York right-hander Carlos Lagrange, showing off the 80-grade speed that helped make him the O’s first-round Draft pick in 2023.
“That guy runs way too much. He's way too fast,” top Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo said via team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “It’s really impressive what he's able to do.”
Then, Lagrange uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Bradfield to take off. The 23-year-old bolted home, dove headfirst and gave max effort in trying to score -- which he did successfully, touching the plate before moving his arms in a safe motion in unison with the home-plate umpire.
It was a run more meaningful than most scored by Bradfield over two professional seasons.
“I’m trying to be focused out there, and my energy in that moment, sliding across home plate specifically, just maybe some emotion comes out of me, and that’s normal,” said Bradfield, who finished 2-for-3 with a stolen base and two runs scored. “It’s life. Bad things happen, and you’ve got to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.”
Baseball can help the healing process, which has frequently been proven throughout the sport’s long history. Bradfield felt that way after playing alongside the friends he’s made in the Orioles’ farm system, many of whom put on impressive Spring Breakout performances of their own.
Bradfield started in left field and shared the outfield with two fellow primary center fielders -- Vance Honeycutt (Baltimore’s No. 5 prospect) in center and Jud Fabian (No. 23) in right.
Honeycutt (the O’s first-round Draft pick in 2024) hit an inside-the-park homer in the fourth for his first home run since joining the organization. Fabian made an impressive jumping catch in the sixth.
The exhibition ended in walk-off fashion, with Leandro Arias (the Orioles’ No. 20 prospect) hitting a game-winning two-out RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the ninth.
After Bradfield celebrated with all of Baltimore’s talented youngsters who stormed the field, he took a moment to be with his family. Then, he joined up with four of his former Vanderbilt University teammates -- O’s righty Patrick Reilly and Yankees prospects Spencer Jones, Bryce Cunningham and Greysen Carter -- for a group picture at home plate.
Bradfield also reminded Jones that he won their bet and that Jones must now buy Bradfield dinner in the near future.
“I’m definitely going to pick somewhere nice,” Bradfield said.
At the end of the night, it was important to Bradfield to spend some additional time with people who are close to him. He was eventually the final player to leave the field, after signing autographs for every kid that came up to the netting.
More reminders of what the sport means to Bradfield as he continued to mourn the loss of his close friend Hood.
“Us guys who play together -- whether we came across each other years in advance or whatever it may be -- when you step in that locker room,” Bradfield said, “it’s a special bond that you never forget.”
$3.14 Tickets Available for Pi Day, March 14th
- To Purchase Pi Day Tickets for Friday, April 4th -- CLICK HERE
- To Purchase Pi Day Tickets for Saturday, April 5th -- CLICK HERE
- To Purchase Pi Day Tickets for Sunday, April 6th -- CLICK HERE Friday is March 14th...other wise known as 3/14...also known as Pi
12 Former Cyclones To Represent Mets In 2025 Spring Breakout
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (March 6, 2025) — On Thursday, the New York Mets announced their roster for the second annual Spring Breakout game scheduled against the Washington Nationals at CATCI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday, March 16, at 5:05 p.m. ET. The
Gilbert Gómez Returns as Manager to Head Cyclones’ 2025 Coaching Staff
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (February 5, 2025) — The Brooklyn Cyclones, in collaboration with the New York Mets, unveiled their 2025 coaching staff on Wednesday. Gilbert Gómez will return for his second season as Cyclones manager when the season kicks off on Friday, April 4, at Maimonides Park. Gómez enters
Coach Kevin Chronicles: Get Ready for Little League Season
Kevin Mahoney (Coach Kevin) is the General Manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones and a member of the Board of Directors for Oceanside Little League with nearly two decades worth of youth baseball coaching experience. He will be sharing his expertise in the Coach Kevin Chronicles over the coming weeks as
Surf Squad Auditions Set for Saturday, February 8th
- To Sign Up for Auditions -- CLICK HERE We are looking for fun-loving, energetic, personable and enthusiastic people to be a part of our on-field entertainment crew. You will be the first face people see when they enter the ballpark and the last face they see on the way
New Videoboard Coming to Maimonides Park for 2025 Season
The Brooklyn Cyclones and Diamond Baseball Holdings have announced that Maimonides Park will have a brand-new, state-of-the-art videoboard installed for the 2025 season. The existing board was updated prior to the start of the 2011 season and featured 480 square feet of video board space. The new board, which will
Six Former Cyclones Selected in the 2024 Rule V Draft
DALLAS, TX (December 11, 2001) – On the final day of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, the Mets lost nine players as part of the Rule V Draft, including six former Cyclones. RHP Mike Vasil, LHP Nathan Lavender, RHP Nolan Clenney, RHP Jawilme Ramirez, INF Junior Tilien and C Drake
Syracuse Mets & Brooklyn Cyclones Enter Next Chapter Under New Ownership, Diamond Baseball Holdings
NEW YORK, NY (December 10, 2024) – Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select minor league clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB), today announced it has entered into an agreement with affiliates of Cohen Private Ventures to purchase the Syracuse Mets and Brooklyn Cyclones. The
Join us for Breakfast with Santa - Sunday, December 22nd
- To Purchase Tickets -- CLICK HERE You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why...Santa Claus is coming to town! Join us on Sunday, December 22nd for Breakfast with Santa at Maimonides Park starting at 10 AM. Tickets are $20 per person (all
Garage Sale Set of Sunday, November 10th at Maimonides Park
Join us on Sunday, November 10th for our annual Garage Sale. It's a great way to stock up on promo items like bobbleheads and caps, game worn gear, and more. The event is CASH ONLY. Items will not be shipped and you need to claim them in person the day
Six Former Cyclones To Represent Mets In Arizona Fall League
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (September 25, 2024) — Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced the rosters and coaching staffs for the 2024 Arizona Fall League (AFL), which begins on Monday, October 7, and concludes with the championship game on Saturday, November 16. Six Brooklyn Cyclones alumni — RHP Saúl García,
Nick Morabito and Brandon Sproat Named Mets Organizational Pitcher and Player of the Year for 2024 Season
FLUSHING, N.Y., September 20, 2024 – The New York Mets today announced the 2024 Player Development Award winners. Outfielder Nick Morabito was named the organization's Player of the Year and RHP Brandon Sproat was named Pitcher of the Year. Outfielder Edward Lantigua was named DSL Player of the Year and
Nick Morabito Named to South Atlantic League All-Star Team
September 19, 2024 – Minor League Baseball has announced their High-A All-Stars for the 2024 season and Nick Morabito was selected to the South Atlantic League team. The 21-year-old hit .294 (111-377) in 95 games with the Cyclones while collecting 15 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 22 RBI and
Cyclones Wrap Up 2024 With 21 Players Promoted
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Brooklyn Cyclones concluded a busy 2024 campaign on Sunday afternoon at 65-67. Although Brooklyn did not qualify for a spot in the South Atlantic League Postseason, the season still featured numerous outstanding accomplishments and achievements. All told, Brooklyn sent 21 players up to higher levels of
Baro Blasts Three Extra Base Hits as Cyclones Down Blue Rocks, 5-4, on Season’s Final Day
- BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. (September 8, 2024) -- Thanks to a go-ahead RBI base hit from 2B Kevin Villavicencio in the bottom of the eighth inning, combined with three extra base hits from 3B Boston Baro, the Brooklyn Cyclones defeated the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 5-4, on the final day
Cyclones Can’t Push Past Wilmington, Fall 7-3
- BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Despite a two-run blast from C Chris Suero - his seventh High-A home run of the season - the Brooklyn Cyclones were topped by the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Saturday night on Coney Island, 7-3. Suero’s long ball pulled Brooklyn even in the third
Game Status for Saturday, September 7th
We will update the status of the game scheduled for Saturday, September 7th at 6:00 PM here: - As of 4:00 PM - while it is not currently raining on Coney Island, we do expect rain to come through the area prior to our scheduled 6:00 PM first pitch. It
Morabito Breaks Cyclones Single-Season Hits Record & Wenninger Punches 10 as Brooklyn Downs Wilmington, 3-1
BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - OF Nick Morabito (110) surpassed J.T. Schwartz atop the list of hits in a single-season in Brooklyn Cyclones franchise history in a 3-1 win over Wilmington on Friday night. The 2022 Mets 2nd rounder broke the record with a double on a line drive to
Cyclones Bested by Blue Rocks, 8-4
BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Brooklyn Cyclones were topped by the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Thursday night, 8-4. The victory marks Brooklyn’s first loss of the series, after shutting out Wilmington in each of the first two games. Brooklyn pitchers saw their consecutive scoreless inning streak come to an
Cyclones Arms Twirl Franchise-Record 14th Shutout in 1-0 Victory Over Wilmington
BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Behind another night of stellar pitching, the Brooklyn Cyclones shutout the Wilmington Blue Rocks for a second straight night, this time by a score of 1-0. RHP Saul García dazzled in his 2024 High-A debut, tossing five scoreless innings while registering seven strikeouts and walking
Suero’s Solo Shot Helps Brooklyn Surge to Franchise Record 13th Shutout & Series-Opening Win over Wilmington, 6-0
BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Behind a three hit night - including a solo home run - from C Chris Suero, the Brooklyn Cyclones defeated the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 6-0, on Tuesday night. The win marks Brooklyn’s 13th shutout victory of the season, extending their franchise record.
Cyclones Use Six-Run Seventh To Down Dash In Road Finale
• BOX SCORE WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (September 1, 2024) — After being held scoreless through six innings and seeing 17 straight batters retired at one point, Brooklyn’s offense exploded for six runs and eight hits in the seventh inning to down the Winston-Salem Dash, 6-2, on Sunday night from Truist Stadium.
Brooklyn Bested By Winston-Salem In Walk-Off, Seesaw Affair
• BOX SCORE WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 31, 2024) — DH Nick Morabito tallied a pair of hits and RBI, adding a stolen base, but 3B Wes Kath’s walk-off two-run home run helped the Winston-Salem Dash outlast the Brooklyn Cyclones, 9-8, on Saturday night at Truist Stadium. Brooklyn (27-32, 60-65) jumped
Brooklyn Scores Five In First, Batters Winston-Salem, 9-2
• BOX SCORE WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 30, 2024) — SS William Lugo registered a single, a double, a two-run home run, and scored four times, as the Brooklyn Cyclones used a five-run first inning to bludgeon the Winston-Salem Dash, 9-2, on Friday night from Truist Stadium. CF Nick Morabito started
Brooklyn Can't Wiggle Past Winston-Salem In Extras
• BOX SCORE WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 29, 2024) — RF Nick Morabito became the fifth Cyclone in franchise history to register 100 or more hits in a single season with a multi-hit night, but Brooklyn could not extend their road winning streak to seven. The Winston-Salem Dash won the seesaw