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Red Sox Strut: Jackie Bradley heats up, Drew Pomeranz in a groove

By Sean Penney

Apr 21, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley (19) looks on prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley (19) looks on prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 4, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) hits a two-run RBI double in the first inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 4, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) hits a two-run RBI double in the first inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /

Position Player who gets to Strut

Don’t look now but Jackie Bradley, Jr. is heating up! The maddeningly inconsistent outfielder drifted through an extended slump that lasted over a month. It’s now safe to say he has busted out of that slump.

Bradley is riding a six-game hitting streak. Over the past week he’s hitting .364 with a 1.182 OPS, two home runs and 11 RBI. No other Red Sox hitter drove in more than five runs during that span, making Bradley the clear choice to Strut.

If you glance at his overall numbers you would assume Bradley is having a terrible season that makes last year’s All-Star selection seem like a fluke. Dig deeper and you’ll find there are some promising signs. His strikeout rate has decreased to a career best 20.8 percent, while his walk rate is up to a career-high 12.3 percent.

Bradley’s .233 batting average may convince some that he’s reverted to his early days of being an offensive liability. That’s simply not true. Bradley is the victim of a well below-average .253 BABIP and owns a .203 ISO that puts him slightly behind Mookie Betts for the team lead. Bradley is hitting the ball hard, the ball just hasn’t been falling in for hits.

At least until now. Bradley’s fortunes were bound to turn around and it seems they finally have. Factor in his elite defense and you still have a player capable of performing at an All-Star level.

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