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.”
Bears Bounce Back in 6-5 Win over Thunder
TRENTON, NJ – The West Virginia Black Bears defeated the Trenton Thunder by a score of 6-5 at Trenton Thunder Ballpark on Friday evening. West Virginia put up six runs on seven hits with the heart of the Black Bears’ order accounting for all five RBI. Starting pitcher Cobe Reeves
West Virginia Falls to Williamsport in the Series Finale at The Mon
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped the first home series to the Williamsport Crosscutters after losing game three, 12-7, at Monongalia County Ballpark on Thursday evening. Despite holding a four-run lead through four innings, West Virginia allowed ten runs in the final frames, including five in the
The Bears Drop Game Two in 13-1 Loss to Crosscutters
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – After the closely contested game on Opening Night at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears lost to the Williamsport Crosscutters, 13-1, on Wednesday night at The Mon. The Bears’ bullpen allowed 13 runs on 16 hits – including two innings of four or more runs.
West Virginia Pulls Ahead of Williamsport for Second Straight Win
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – In another comeback victory, the West Virginia Black Bears beat the Williamsport Crosscutters, 6-5, on Opening Day at Monongalia County Ballpark on Tuesday night. Exactly nine months to the day since their last meeting in the MLB Draft League Championship game, West Virginia overcame the deficit in
Low-Scoring Game Leads to Bears’ Game Three Loss
NILES, OH – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped game three to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field on Saturday evening by a score of 7-1. Held to two hits, the Black Bears were unable to jumpstart their offense, while costly miscues at the plate allowed the Scrappers to
The Bears Bounce Back for First Win of the Season
NILES, OH – The West Virginia Black Bears captured their first win of the season in a 16-4 blowout of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field. West Virginia put on a show in front of a packed crowd on Friday night, scoring two or more runs in five of
West Virginia Black Bears Announce First-Half Roster on MLB Draft League Opening Day
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears today announced the official roster for the first half of the MLB Draft League season. The initial roster features four members of the West Virginia University baseball team – Caleb McNeely, Dayne Leonard, Tevin Tucker and Kevin Dowdell – along with Morgantown
Mon County Ballpark hosts local high schools in Class AAA Regional finale
May 22, 2023 - The West Virginia Black Bears are proud to announce they will be hosting game three of the Class AAA Region 1 baseball series between cross-town rivals Morgantown High School and University High School. In coordination with Monongalia County Commission and West Virginia University, the Bears will
Black Bears Premium Suite dates are selling at record pace. Book your suite night before they're gone!
Live the “suite” life with West Virginia Black Bears premium press box seating. Suites for the 2023 season can still be booked through the Black Bears ticket office, but AVAILABILITY IS LIMITED! Book a memorable experience for your team in today! 2023 Suite Prices - Suite 3: $1,375 (50-person capacity)
West Virginia Black Bears Announce 2023 Promotional Schedule
March 14, 2023 - With Opening Day at Monongalia County Ballpark less than three months away, the West Virginia Black Bears today released their preliminary 2023 Promotional Schedule. Packed with fireworks dates, multiple giveaways and new theme nights, this summer promises to be full of fun for the entire family!
Four Black Bears Named to National Rosters for World Baseball Classic
February 10, 2023 – With the World Baseball Classic returning for the first time since 2017, four former West Virginia Black Bears will represent their countries in the international competition beginning Wednesday, March 8. From 2021’s inaugural MLB Draft League team, Mitchell Bratt will represent Canada, while 2022 players Branden
David Carpenter named West Virginia Black Bears Manager
February 7, 2023 – The West Virginia Black Bears are proud to announce David Carpenter has been appointed manager of the Black Bears for the 2023 MLB Draft League season. The West Virginia University alum and former Major League pitcher joins the organization as the sixth manager in Black Bears
Black Bears Announce Food Drive to Benefit Pantry Plus More
January 24, 2023 – The West Virginia Black Bears are proud to announce they’re stepping up to the plate to combat hunger in the Greater Morgantown community with “The Bear Necessities for a Good Cause” food drive benefiting Pantry Plus More. The food drive begins Wednesday, February 1 and ends
West Virginia Black Bears begin defense of MLB Draft League Championship on June 1, 2023
October 18, 2022 – Just five weeks removed from capturing the 2022 MLB Draft League Title, the West Virginia Black Bears are thrilled to announce another season of summer baseball at Monongalia County Ballpark with the release of the 2023 season schedule. The 80-game season, which begins on the road
2022 MLB Draft League Champions: The West Virginia Black Bears Defeat the Williamsport Crosscutters 10-6 in Championship Game at Monongalia County Ballpark
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – In the most exciting game of the season, the West Virginia Black Bears captured the MLB Draft League Championship with a 10-6 victory over the Williamsport Crosscutters on Tuesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark. With two big innings, the Black Bears completed the comeback after trailing by
West Virginia Wins Its Final Regular Season Home Series with 6-3 Victory over Frederick
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – In the last regular season game at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears took the game and the series from the Frederick Keys in a 6-3 win on Thursday night. The Bears, who scored in four consecutive innings, solidified their win over the Keys with
The Bears Bounce Back with 5-1 Game Two Win over the Keys
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – After dropping the first game of the series in sudden death to the Frederick Keys, West Virginia bounced back with a 5-1 win on Wednesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark. The Black Bears bullpen held the Keys to two hits and no runs through five innings of
West Virginia Unable to Hold On in Sudden Death Thriller Against Frederick
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears lost the first game of the series to the Frederick Keys in sudden death on Tuesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark. After holding a four-run lead heading into the seventh, Frederick tied the game with four scored in the top of the
Bears Get Blanked in 14-0 Loss to the Scrappers
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped the last game of the series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in a 14-0 loss on a hot Sunday afternoon at Monongalia County Ballpark. After West Virginia put up 16 runs the previous night, Mahoning Valley returned the favor with 14
Black Bears Batter the Scrappers in 16-9 Game Two Victory
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears took down the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in a huge 16-9 win at Monongalia County Ballpark on Saturday evening for Military Appreciation Night. On another big offensive night, the Black Bears drove in 16 runs on 12 hits including a home run by
West Virginia Scraps Mahoning Valley in 5-1 Win
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – On Fan Appreciation Night at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears provided their fans with a show as they took down the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 5-1 on Friday evening. After a rain delay cleared the teams off the field, the Bears returned to drive in
West Virginia Drops the Series Finale in 11-8 Loss to Frederick
FREDERICK, MD – The West Virginia Black Bears lost the series finale against the Frederick Keys at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium on Thursday evening. After winning the first two games with powerful offensive performances, the Bears could not overcome an early deficit and ended the game down 11-8.
Seven Shutout Innings and Four Home Runs Lead Black Bears in 7-3 Win over Keys
FREDERICK, MD – In the second game of the series at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, the West Virginia Black Bears put on a clinic against the Frederick Keys, winning by a score of 7-3 on Wednesday evening. The Bears offense led with four home runs over the course
Black Bears Bounce Back with 9-3 Victory Over Keys
FREDERICK, MD - After finishing their last home series with a loss, the West Virginia Black Bears bounced back on the road at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, beating the Frederick Keys 9-3 on Tuesday evening. The Bears bats started off hot in the first as CF Turner Hill
West Virginia drops series to Mahoning Valley with 8-2 Loss
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – On a Sunday afternoon showdown at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears dropped the game and the series to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers with the 8-2 loss. After starting pitcher Luke Eldred and the West Virginia defense retired the side to begin the game, the