Red Sox: Jackie Bradley Jr. deserves your attention

After his two-RBI double yesterday to help power the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, it’s safe to say that Jackie Bradley Jr. deserves your attention.

Jackie Bradley Jr. has always struggled to gain attention. Some of it has nothing to do with him while some of it has been self-inflicted.

It can’t be easy being the forgotten middle child in the outfield. In left field is highly-touted future superstar Andrew Benintendi. In right field is the superstar AL MVP runner-up from last year in Mookie Betts. Then in center is Bradley: the defensive guru who has always struggled to hit consistently.

And that’s where the self-infliction comes in.

Bradley has struggled to hit throughout his career. He’s had his streaky moments. Over a 25-game period in 2015, he hit a stunning .446. During last year’s 29-game hitting streak, he hit a tremendous .415. But during the month following that magical 25-game period in 2015, Bradley batted a measly .222. In the month following his miraculous 29-game hit streak last season, he hit .218. Then after making his first All Star Game last year, he proceeded to bat .233 in the months following it.

But this year is different.

TORONTO, ON – JULY 1: Jackie Bradley Jr. /

After a rough start to the season, JBJ has recovered. For the season, he’s batting .279 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI. Of late, he’s been red-hot. He batted .353 in June and is in the midst of a five-game hit streak.

A large facet of his game that goes unnoticed is his improvement in important yet not discussed statistics. His strikeout rate has consistently gone down throughout his career, most recently going from 22.5 percent in 2016 to 19.6 percent this year. He’s walked more, going from a rate of 9.9 percent to 11.4 percent.

He’s also hitting the ball much better. For one, he’s hitting the ball harder as his hard-hit percentage has gone from 36.0 percent last year to 37.6 percent this season. While his line drive percentage has pretty much stayed the same, he’s drastically increased his fly ball percentage (34.4 percent to 37.2 percent) while decreasing his ground ball percentage (47.3 percent to 44.2 percent). Even if caught, fly balls typically produce more runs due to sacrifice flies. And with JBJ’s place in the lineup, which is typically fifth or below, there are runners on base to move over a base or send home.

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Plus, Bradley has become a much more well-rounded hitter. Throughout his career, he’s been known as a pull hitter. For instance, last season he pulled the ball 46.0 percent of the time. It’s only common sense that if a batter consistently pulls the ball, as the opposing team, you shift to that side. It’s not that difficult to figure out or comprehend. In response to that, Bradley has lowered his pull percentage to 39.9 percent and increased his opposite field percentage from 19.8 percent last year to 26.0 percent this season. By hitting more to the opposite field, JBJ has been able to beat more shifts and become much more unpredictable at the plate.

Because of all these factors and statistics, Bradley’s on-base percentage has increased from .349 to .369 and is projected to stay that way throughout the course of the season.

Last year, Bradley made his first All Star team and was recognized by the fans. His outstanding hit streak had propelled him into the minds of fans voting for who they believed should represent the best of the best. This year, he most likely won’t receive the same treatment as his great work has gone mostly unnoticed. All in all, Bradley is better than he’s ever been and set to begin a career of consistency.

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And if there is one thing that is certain, it’s that he is more than deserving of your attention.

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