June 6, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Red Sox select Jackie Bradley, Jr. with the 40th overall pick
With the 40th overall pick in the draft, the Red Sox have selected outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr.A center fielder out of the University of South Carolina, Bradley is a left-handed hitter who projects to have both an above-average bat and above-average power. Listed at 5'10" and 180 lbs., scouts say he has the ability to spray the ball to all fields and has gap-to-gap power. He is also an outstanding defensive center fielder with a plus arm. Bradley has decent speed and projects to be a possible basestealing threat at the major-league level.
Bradley had an outstanding 2010 season, leading the Gamecocks with a .368 batting average en route to an NCAA championship. He compiled a .368/.473/.587 line last season, with 13 home runs and 60 RBI. He was also named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team as well as the CWS Most Outstanding Player. His numbers took a dip in 2011, however, (.259/.361/.468, 6 HR, 26 RBI), but played in only 37 of South Carolina's 62 games due to a wrist injury suffered attempting to make a catch in center field.
Although South Carolina is still alive in the NCAA Baseball Championship, Bradley will unfortunately not match up against fellow Red Sox draftee Matt Barnes this weekend when the Gamecocks host the Huskies in the NCAA Super Regionals, as he has been out since April 23 with the above-mentioned injury.