2018 World Series champion and former Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in April.
The defensive savant last played a major league game with the Kansas City Royals in 2023 and signed with a partner league in hopes of continuing his career. After he made some history with the Ducks organization, he's back in MLB.
Michael Pfaff, president and chief baseball officer of the Long Island squad, announced that Bradley has signed with the Mets. The Ducks' Twitter account clarified that he will join their Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Mets.
Bradley made headlines recently while he played in the Atlantic League when he set the Ducks' hitting streak record. In their press release announcing Bradley's signing with the Mets, the Ducks reported that his streak reached 28 days, three games short of the Atlantic League history. He batted .471 with a .537 on-base percentage during the run.
Former Red Sox Jackie Bradley Jr. returns to MLB, signs with Mets organization
The Mets are reportedly signing Jackie Bradley Jr., per @LIDucksPrez
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 23, 2024
He has a 1.204 OPS with the Long Island Ducks this season and recently set the Ducks hitting streak record (28 games)
He last played in the major leagues with the Royals in June 2023 pic.twitter.com/xfSX33MyFx
Bradley batted .400 with 12 homers, 14 doubles, two triples, 23 walks and a 1.203 OPS in his 40 games in the Atlantic League this season. He has 11 years of MLB experience under his belt, nine of those with the Red Sox. Bradley is a career .225/.303/.381 hitter.
The outfielder is better known for his defense. In his 2016 season, during which he received his only All-Star nomination, Bradley recorded 12 outs above average and ranked above the 95th percentile in range and arm value, according to Baseball Savant.