Bobby Bradley (first baseman)

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Bobby Bradley

|image = File:Bobby Bradley February 1, 2020 (49488536513).jpg

|caption = Bradley with the Cleveland Indians in 2020

|width = 250

|team = Saraperos de Saltillo

|number = 46

|position = First baseman

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|05|29}}

|birth_place = Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 23

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Cleveland Indians

|statyear = 2022 season

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .199

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 17

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 45

|teams =

Cleveland Indians / Guardians ({{mlby|2019}}, {{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})

}}

Bobby Bradley (born May 29, 1996) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians / Guardians.

Early life

Bradley was born May 29, 1996, in Gulfport, Mississippi.{{sfn|Manuel|2017|page=2}} He attended Harrison Central High School in Gulfport.{{cite news|url=http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/high-school/2014/04/23/harrison-centrals-bobby-bradley-trying-find-groove/8082015/|title=Harrison Central slugger, LSU signee Bobby Bradley trying to find groove|first=Chris|last=Thomas|work=The Clarion-Ledger|publisher=Gannett Company|location=Jackson, Mississippi|date=April 23, 2014|access-date=November 19, 2014}}

Career

=Cleveland Indians / Guardians=

File:Bobby Bradley (29399759287) (cropped).jpg in 2018]]

Bradley was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the third round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/78529910/bobby-bradley-falls-to-third-round-plans-to-sign-with-tribe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024111531/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/78529910/bobby-bradley-falls-to-third-round-plans-to-sign-with-tribe|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2014|title=Bradley falls to third round; plans to sign with Tribe|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media ({{small|Major League Baseball}})|location=Manhattan|access-date=November 19, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2014/06/bobby_bradley_2014_major_leagu.html|title=LSU recruit Bobby Bradley taken in the third round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft|work=The Times-Picayune|publisher=Advance Publications|first=Joseph|last=Halm|location=New Orleans|access-date=November 19, 2014}} He signed with the Indians rather than play college baseball at Louisiana State University.{{cite web|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/80278534/cleveland-indians-sign-draft-picks-grant-hockin-bobby-bradley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024111804/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/80278534/cleveland-indians-sign-draft-picks-grant-hockin-bobby-bradley|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2014|title=Tribe signs Draft picks Hockin, Bradley|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media ({{small|Major League Baseball}})|location=Manhattan|access-date=November 19, 2014}} Bradley made his professional debut that season with the Arizona League Indians. He won the Arizona League Triple Crown after leading the league in batting average (.361), home runs (eight) and runs batted in (50) in 39 games.{{cite news|url=https://www.wlox.com/story/26453382/former-harrison-central-slugger-bobby-bradley-exceled-in-rookie-league/|title=Former Harrison Central slugger Bobby Bradley excelled in rookie league|work=WLOX|publisher=Gray Television|location=Biloxi, Mississippi|first=AJ|last=Giardina|date=September 4, 2014|access-date=July 26, 2015}} After the season, he was named the league's MVP.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-92538264|title=Tribe's Bradley named Arizona League MVP|work=MILB.com|publisher=Minor League Baseball)|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|access-date=November 19, 2014}} Following his breakout 2014 season, Bradley spent 2015 with the Lake County Captains where he posted a .269 batting average with 27 home runs and 92 RBIs in 108 games. Bradley spent 2016 with the Lynchburg Hillcats where he batted .235 with 29 home runs and 102 RBIs in 131 games, and in 2017, Bradley played for the Akron RubberDucks where he hit .251 with 23 home runs and 89 RBIs, along with posting a .796 OPS in 131 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/bobby-bradley-656252|title=Bobby Bradley Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|work=MILB.com|publisher=Minor League Baseball|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|access-date=November 4, 2017}}

MLB.com ranked Bradley as Cleveland's third ranked prospect going into the 2018 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-top-30-filled-with-homegrown-talent/c-266818884?tid=151437456|title=Tribe's 2018 Top 30 Prospects list is 100% homegrown|work=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media ({{small|Major League Baseball}})|location=Manhattan|access-date=February 22, 2018}} He spent the year with both Akron and the Columbus Clippers, slashing a combined .224/.308/.466 with 27 home runs and 83 RBIs in 129 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/bobby-bradley-656252|title=Bobby Bradley Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|work=MILB.com|publisher=Minor League Baseball|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|access-date=January 1, 2019}}

The Indians added Bradley to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2018/11/cleveland-indians-put-bobby-bradley-sam-hentges-jean-carlos-mejia-on-40-man-add-rhp-lockett-in-trade-with-san-diego.html|title=Cleveland Indians put Bobby Bradley, Sam Hentges, Jean Carlos Mejia on 40-man; add RHP Lockett in trade with San Diego|first1=Paul|last1=Hoynes|work=Cleveland.com|publisher=Advance Publications|location=Cleveland|access-date=December 14, 2018}} He returned to Columbus to begin 2019.{{cite news|title= Columbus Clippers Bobby Bradley Heats Up|url=https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20190610/baseball-columbus-clippers-bobby-bradley-heats-up|work=The Columbus Dispatch|publisher=GateHouse Media|location=Columbus, Ohio|access-date=June 22, 2019}} On May 13, 2019, he was named to MLB Pipeline's Prospect Team of the Week.{{cite news|url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/mlb/indians/indians-minor-leaguer-bobby-bradley-named-to-mlb-pipelines-prospect-team-of-the-week/95-16d2524e-1619-4545-a3e6-87c26bf0d060|title=Indians minor-leaguer Bobby Bradley named to MLB Pipeline's Prospect Team of the Week|first=Matthew|last=Florjancic|work=WKYC|publisher=WKYC-TV, LLC (Tegna Inc.)|location=Cleveland|date=May 13, 2019|access-date=June 25, 2019}}

On June 23, 2019, Bradley was called up to the major leagues for the first time.{{cite news|title=Cleveland Indians promote slugger Bobby Bradley from Triple-A Columbus|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2019/06/cleveland-indians-promote-slugger-bobby-bradley-from-triple-a-columbus.html|work=Cleveland.com|publisher=Advance Publications|location=Cleveland|first=Joe|last=Noga|date=June 23, 2019|access-date= June 23, 2019}}{{cite news|title=Cleveland Indians make roster move, call up 1B Bobby Bradley|url=https://fox8.com/2019/06/23/cleveland-indians-make-roster-move-call-up-1b-bobby-bradley/|first=Talia|last=Naquin|work=WJW|publisher=Tribune Broadcasting|location=Cleveland|date=June 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019}}{{cite news|title=Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers starting lineups for Sunday, June 23, 2019, Game 77|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2019/06/cleveland-indians-detroit-tigers-starting-lineups-for-sunday-june-23-2019-game-77.html|work=Cleveland.com|publisher=Advance Publications|location=Cleveland|agency=Associated Press|date=June 23, 2019|access-date= June 23, 2019}} Later that day he made his MLB debut, batting 1 for 3 with a RBI double in his first MLB at-bat.{{cite news|title=Bradley has RBI double in debut, Indians top Tigers 8-3|url=https://fox8.com/2019/06/23/bradley-has-rbi-double-in-debut-indians-top-tigers-8-3/|agency=Associated Press|work=WJW|publisher=Tribune Broadcasting|location=Cleveland|date=June 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27036770/rookie-slugger-bradley-doubles-indians-debut|title=Rookie slugger Bradley doubles in Indians debut|author=ESPN News Services|work=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|location=Bristol, Connecticut|date=June 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2019/06/23/detroit-tigers-score-cleveland-indians/1542070001/|title=Detroit Tigers swept for 2nd straight weekend by Indians, 8-3|agency=Associated Press|work=Detroit Free Press|publisher=Detroit Media Partnership ({{small|Gannett Company}})|location=Detroit|date=June 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/baseball-mlb-cle-det/indians-complete-sweep-with-8-3-win-over-tigers-idUSMTZXEF6NKI0C61|title=Indians complete sweep with 8-3 win over Tigers|author=Field Level Media|work=Reuters|publisher=Thomson Reuters|location=Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom|date=June 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019}} Bradley hit his first Major League home run on July 13, 2019, against the Minnesota Twins. He finished his rookie campaign hitting .178/.245/.356 in 15 games. Bradley did not make an appearance for the Indians in 2020.

Bradley began the 2021 season with the Columbus Clippers of the newly-formed Triple-A East. On June 5, 2021, Bradley was recalled by the Indians to their active roster.{{cite news |last1=Bell |first1=Mandy |title=Indians recall Bradley, designate Bauers |url=https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-recall-bobby-bradley-designate-jake-bauers |publisher=Indians.com |date=June 5, 2021}} On the year, Bradley played in 74 games for Cleveland, batting .208/.294/.445 with 16 home runs and 41 RBI.

In 2022, he appeared in 8 games for the newly named Guardians, collecting 2 hits in 17 at-bats while striking out 9 times. Bradley was designated for assignment by the Guardians on May 1, 2022.{{cite news |last1=Bell |first1=Mandy |title=Guardians DFA Bradley, Allen to trim roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/guardians-dfa-bobby-bradley-logan-allen-to-trim-roster |publisher=CleGuardians.com |date=May 1, 2022}} After clearing waivers, Bradley was sent outright to the Triple-A Columbus on May 5.{{cite news |title=Guardians' Bobby Bradley: Outrighted to Triple-A |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/guardians-bobby-bradley-outrighted-to-triple-a/ |publisher=CBSSports.com |date=May 5, 2022}} In 47 games for Columbus, he limped to a .174/.268/.359 slash line with 7 home runs and 30 RBI. He was released by Cleveland on August 6.

=Charleston Dirty Birds=

On April 13, 2023, Bradley signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web |title=Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions |url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.atlanticleague.com}} In 120 games for Charleston, Bradley batted .270/.370/.545 with 30 home runs and 81 RBI.

=Toros de Tijuana=

On January 24, 2024, Bradley signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=Llega Bob Bradley a Toros de Tijuana|url=https://www.elvigia.net/deportes/2024/1/25/llega-bob-bradley-toros-de-tijuana-435067.html|access-date=March 3, 2024|website=elvigia.net|language=en}} In 81 appearances for Tijuana, he batted .271/.412/.462 with 13 home runs, 53 RBI, and three stolen bases. Bradley was released by the Toros on March 24, 2025.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 24 de marzo de 2025|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-24-de-marzo-de-2025|access-date=March 25, 2025|website=milb.com|language=en}}

=Charleston Dirty Birds (second stint)=

On April 24, 2025, Bradley signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Transactions|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=34102|access-date=April 26, 2025|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}} In 20 appearances for Charleston, Bradley batted .219/.369/.328 with two home runs and eight RBI.

=Saraperos de Saltillo=

On May 20, 2025, Bradley signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 20 de mayo de 2025|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-20de-mayo-de-2025|access-date=May 21, 2025|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}

References

=Citations=

=Sources=

{{cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/Baseball-America-Prospect-Handbook-Digital-ebook/dp/B06XWDVQH2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=|title=Baseball America 2017 Prospect Handbook: Rankings and Reports of the Best Young Talent in Baseball|editor-first=John |editor-last=Manuel|editor-link=John Manuel (baseball scout)|publisher=Baseball America|location=Durham, North Carolina|edition=Digital|year=2017|asin=B06XWDVQH2|page=2}}