Can Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. get out of this hitting slump or can a trip to the minors help him?
Currently, in one of the worst slumps in his career, Jackie Bradley Jr.is struggling to find consistency at the major league level. The Boston Red Sox still carry a minor league option on Bradley. Will we see Jackie Bradley in Pawtucket this year?
Bradley is making $6.1 million this season, which makes it unlikely for the team to send him down to Triple-A Pawtucket. However, sending Bradley down to the minors could help him find consistency in his game. He would be able to escape the media distraction here in Boston and really focus on his mechanics.
The month of May has not been kind to Bradley. He is currently batting .100, with 22 strikeouts and four hits. His season total numbers are not much better. Batting .165 with 41 strikeouts and 21 hits.
Jackie Bradley Jr's last 20 games
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) May 19, 2018
62 AB - 0 HR - 3 RBI - 30 K
.097/.186/.097/.282
Jackie Bradley Jr's last 10 games
29 AB - 0 HR - 0 RBI - 16 K
.069/.182/.069/.251
He's got to find a way to the DL and get some rehab AB's in the minors
Bradley’s best year came in 2016 when he hit for 26 home runs with 87 RBI’s and a batting average of .267. This season also included his 29-game hitting streak, which showed when he is confident he can be an effective player at the plate. These stats are a glimpse of what Bradley can become as a player but he is struggling to regain this form.
How will the lineup look if Bradley were gone?
The Red Sox are happy that Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are on a hot streak right now because they are helping the team win games. Which allows for Bradleys struggles to be partially overlooked. Those two can’t stay hot forever and if Bradley stays cold this opens the door for other options to be at play and sending him to Pawtucket is an option.
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The Red Sox can survive a lineup without Bradley. They could shuffle around between Hanley Ramirez and Mitch Moreland. Send Rameriez to DH, Moreland to first base, and Martinez can play the outfield. There are a lot of different lineups that can be produced if this were to happen.
Being in triple-A allows Bradley to work on his mechanics at the plate. He is having trouble hitting the fastball and the coaching staff would provide great help. Triple-A could act as a wake-up call to Bradley, who if you look at it does not has a safe roster spot right now, especially with Dustin Pedroia coming back from injury soon.
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As a result of his play, sending Bradley down to the minors is definitely an option. He is not providing any offense and the utility players can help the Red Sox fill his role. Bradley is in one of the worst slumps in his career. Something needs to be done before it’s too late.