Orioles scout Trent Friedrich on Enrique Bradfield Jr.: “He’s just been different every step of the way”

Orioles scout Trent Friedrich used the word multiple times today when describing outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Different.

Friedrich watched Bradfield play at American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla. in 2018. He tracked Bradfield at Vanderbilt University, with Tennessee part of his territory. And he knew.

“He impacted the game in so many ways,” Friedrich said. “It’s been really fun ever since he was a sophomore in high school, following him through high school, and then coming into my area at Vanderbilt and being able to watch him the last three years.

“He’s just been different every step of the way.”

The Orioles held a press conference today to introduce Bradfield, who signed his contract yesterday for the slot value of $4,169,700. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias handed Bradfield his Orioles jersey and cap. Friedrich joined them at the head table, and Bradfield’s parents, sister and girlfriend sat in the front row.

“This is the lifeblood of our organization, what we do, and it’s showing up on the field here for the Orioles, the importance of the draft and the strength of our drafts. And this year is no different,” Elias said.

“I couldn’t be happier with bringing this caliber of a player into this organization that’s now one of the strongest teams in baseball, but also has the top farm system in baseball. I think we’ve done it by choosing the right kinds of players and the right types of people, and our minor league coaches give them the development they need to fine-tune their skills to reach this level.”

The Orioles used the 17^th-overall pick on Bradfield, 21, who Baseball America graded as an 80 runner and fielder. He stole 130 bases at a 90.9 percent success rate in 191 games with Vanderbilt and batted .311/.425/.447 with 31 doubles, 11 triples, 15 home runs and 108 RBIs.

“Enrique, I think the conversation with him starts with his speed and defense, but he’s also a very skilled hitter, a tremendous eye and idea of the strike zone, a willingness to use every part of the field to have team at-bats, to move runners over,” Elias said.

“I think the thing that people when they watch him play will fall in love with is, when he’s playing offense, it doesn’t end when he gets out of the batter’s box. He’s a constant threat and presence when he’s on the bases. It changes the tone of the game when he’s out there and he figures out a way to help his team win.

“We’re also very enthused by the person that we’re getting here. I think Enrique’s got a fire in his belly. He’s a competitor, he’s a hard worker, he’s an excellent citizen and is the type of guy that we’ve been targeting. So, we’re really happy that he fell to our pick. Excited to see him get his pro career started.”

Bradfield walked onto the field to soak in more of the atmosphere. His head on a swivel. His shoes sinking into the grass. He shook hands with James McCann and met the catcher’s two sons. The smile never left his face.

“I’m super excited and proud to be here,” he said. “I’m honored that Mike, Trent and the rest of the Baltimore Orioles have placed faith in me as a person, as a baseball player. I’m truly looking forward to being able to get to work and help this organization grow and compete at the top of the game.”

Bradfield heard his name announced on July 9 and contacted Elias. He spoke to the local media on a video call the next morning and waited until his deal was finalized. The physical was passed, the contract signed. And the Orioles will introduce him tonight to fans attending the game against the Dodgers.

“You always have a vision and a dream of what draft night and after the draft will look like, but you quite honestly never know,” he said. “So, just being able to really take every moment and cherish it and be with my family and the people I love has been truly special.”

So has Bradfield’s development from high school to his junior collegiate season. The physical and mental growth, the ability to tap into his skill set.

“He just showed a lot more confidence, he showed a lot more strength as he continued to get older and learn the game and every aspect of the game,” Friedrich said. “His pregame work is nothing to scoff at. He is very, very disciplined, a fierce competitor, and all of that has just shown through year after year.”

The Orioles will assign Bradfield to the Florida Complex League and hope to promote him to Single-A Delmarva before games run out. He’ll hop into the prospect rankings for a farm system that’s already viewed as the best in baseball. Attached to a major league club that possesses the third-best record.

“I’ve used the word 'healthy' a lot, but to me that’s how I would describe the state of the Orioles organization,” Elias said. “We’ve got a young, talented major league team that’s not going anywhere, and then we’ve got an historically good group in the minor leagues that’s coming. And now, we’ve got guys like this, and it’s important for us to keep feeding that pipeline, because I know how good our competitors are doing the same thing.

“To me, this is the path for this franchise to continue to be successful – is really doing a great job with scouting and player development. So, we’re always going to keep that close to heart and take these selections and evaluations really seriously. This is our type of player, our type of kid. Really thrilled that he fell to our pick. I think had things fallen differently, he’s not there in some years, with the caliber of talent he is.”

Selecting 17^th rather than in the top five, and twice holding the first-overall pick, created a unique vibe in the draft room.

“A different type of nervousness,” Elias said.

“When you start picking a little bit lower in the draft, you have some guys that you really want and you’re just nervous whether or not they’re going to fall or not,” Elias said, “so I put him in that category for us. But we want to keep picking down here. That’s the goal. Hopefully, we’re in the 20s and stay there for a while and hopefully we can demonstrate that we can keep feeding our organization with low first-round picks.

“For me, I think this is an important step for us, his pick, and I’m very confident it’s going to go well.”

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Friedrich said of the organization’s growth. “And I think this guy is going to fit in perfectly with what we have.”

Notes: The Orioles reinstated left-hander Cionel Pérez from the injured list and optioned Nick Vespi to Triple-A Norfolk.

Outfielder Qrey Lott, the Orioles’ 15^th-round selection out of Lowndes (Ga.) High School, tweeted today that he’s attending Northwest Florida State College. Perfect Game gave him a 500 national ranking, 91 among outfielders, and a 52 ranking in Georgia.