Former Red Sox All-Star, Fan-Favorite Officially Makes AL Central Club After Superb Spring
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With Opening Day on Thursday, Major League Baseball clubs had some very tough decisions to make.
Teams were required to finalize their 26-man active rosters prior to their Opening Day clashes and that has led to a wide range of cuts around baseball. One player who certainly got some good news Thursday was former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. as he officially earned a spot on the Kansas City Royals' active roster, according to the club.
Bradley signed with the Royals to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training after it already had begun on March 1 and made the most of his opportunity. The one-time All-Star appeared in 11 games with the Royals in spring training action and impressed slashing .355/.355/.548 to go along with a home run and four RBIs. The 32-year-old also smashed three doubles and scored five runs.
Although the 2018 American League Gold Glove winner likely won't play a starting role for the Royals in 2023 barring injuries, he still can play a solid role as the team's fourth outfielder. He has been known throughout his career for his exceptional defensive play and he will have plenty of opportunities in 2023 even if he isn't in the starting lineup every day.
Bradley was drafted in the first round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Red Sox and began his professional career in the team's farm system. It didn't take him long to work his way up and he made his big league debut with Boston in 2013. Bradley spent the first eight years of his big league career with Boston before joining the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of the 2021 campaign. He returned to Boston in 2022 but was released by the club during the season.
The 32-year-old is a 10-year MLB veteran and over his career has slashed .227/.306/.386 to go along with 108 home runs and 443 RBIs. Bradley not only became a World Series champion with Boston, but became one of the team's most-beloved players.
Hopefully he is able to make the most of his opportunity with the Royals. Maybe we will see him taking the field at Fenway Park again this season.
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