The annual Jackie Bradley Jr thread (2019 Edition)

[mvp 78]

Average CFer OPS last year was 781. A season OPS of 820 would have put him ahead of Cody Bellinger. He doesn't need to hit over 800 to stay in the lineup. He just needs to hit about 750, maybe 725 if his defense is out of this world.

[bertha]

tagged

[moonslav59]

JBJ has begun going to LF. Is his slump over?

 

Will he bust out big time, or is this just a tease?

 

He's brought his OPS up from .421 to.511 in just 4 games.

 

He's 6 for 18 with 2 Hrs and 2 2Bs.

 

Interesting note: before this mini-hot streak, he had as many BBs (16) as hits, but he has not walked in these 4 games.

 

[mvp 78]

JBJ has begun going to LF. Is his slump over?

 

Will he bust out big time, or is this just a tease?

 

He's brought his OPS up from .421 to.511 in just 4 games.

 

He's 6 for 18 with 2 Hrs and 2 2Bs.

 

Interesting note: before this mini-hot streak, he had as many BBs (16) as hits, but he has not walked in these 4 games.

 

 

It's way too early to call the slump over. However, there are signs of him possibly turning it around. Last year he struggled through the end of May, had an ok June and played well for the rest of the season. Let's hope he just starts hitting like 2nd half JBJ from 2019.

[moonslav59]

It's way too early to call the slump over. However, there are signs of him possibly turning it around. Last year he struggled through the end of May, had an ok June and played well for the rest of the season. Let's hope he just starts hitting like 2nd half JBJ from 2019.

 

Actually, he started heating up on May 20, 2018.

 

May 20-31: .979 OPS (all with no HRs).

 

It is the exact same date he started doing well this year.

 

(Yes, his June of 2018 saw a .653 OPS- not good, but way better than .450.)

 

From July 2 to the end of the regular season (259 PAs): .823 OPS, including 32 XBHs.

 

40 playoffs PAs: .835 OPS (5 XBHs)

 

That's about an .825 OPS with 37 XBHs in his last 300 PAs of 2018.

 

People act like it was so long ago he showed signs of extended bat life.

 

Edited May 24, 2019 by moonslav59

[mvp 78]

So, he heated up for a week and a half and then tanked again? That's not really heating up then. That's just a brief good stretch followed by mediocrity.

 

I've noted all along how he hit in the 2nd half. Not sure who you are calling out in that last bit.

[moonslav59]

So, he heated up for a week and a half and then tanked again? That's not really heating up then. That's just a brief good stretch followed by mediocrity.

 

I've noted all along how he hit in the 2nd half. Not sure who you are calling out in that last bit.

 

Not you. A while ago someone was talking about him not being good since 2015.

Edited May 24, 2019 by moonslav59

[Bellhorn04]

Not you. A while ago someone were talking about him not being good since 2015.

 

That was jung I think.

[notin]

The Sox are obviously going to sink or swim with Bradley this year. It’s not like outfield depth is a strong suit right now.

 

The big question will be whether or not they offer arbitration one last time or non-tender him. He makes $8.85mill (I believe) and no one ever takes a pay cut. He’s approaching Rusney Castillo money, and salary is what will keep Rusney in Rhode Island.

 

Bradley’s recent hot streak probably doesn’t make him more tradable, since whoever acquires him would be facing the same off-season question as the Sox - namely is Bradley’s $9-10mill salary for 2020 going to be worth it? Especially since most teams don’t have the Sox’ spending limits.

 

It is possible he is non-tendered. Although that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of re-signing him for less money...

[Slasher9]

My prediction:

if he stays the course he will be non tendered and then offered less $.

if he gets it up to .800 he gets arb $ for the final time.

[jacksonianmarch]

My prediction:

if he stays the course he will be non tendered and then offered less $.

if he gets it up to .800 he gets arb $ for the final time.

 

I bet you he isn't a Red Sox next year. The sox will need his money and they are fully aware that his defense is slipping. My bet is they tender him if he shows some signs of life then deal him off. If he doesn't hit, he will be non-tendered as you said. I think this is the last year you see JBJ patrolling the Fens

[vegasbob]

Taking a little longer look at Jackie's future prospects , regardless of tendered or not for 2020 season, this is JBJr's age 29 season . If tendered and and kept with Boston through next year, he will enter FA going into his age 31 season. His hitting ability and streakiness has a large enough sample to grade him as an extremely slow starter, followed by average performance, at best, for an outfielder. If, in fact, the defense and speed deteriorates over the next season which team will make Jackie's day with a big time FA contract.

 

I'll contend that Jackie should accept a tender , if offered, and be glad he got another $8 or $9 million because his FA prospects may be more like half of that for no more than 2-3 years.

[mvp 78]

I bet you he isn't a Red Sox next year. The sox will need his money and they are fully aware that his defense is slipping. My bet is they tender him if he shows some signs of life then deal him off. If he doesn't hit, he will be non-tendered as you said. I think this is the last year you see JBJ patrolling the Fens

 

That's it. They're signing him to an extension this offseason. Book it.

[devildavid]

JBJ's main hitting issue this season is a lack of extra base hits. His pctg. of them is currently matching his career low of 5.2% which he had in 2014, his worst hitting season. This is where his otherwise poor hitting derives all of its value. He is not a good hitter or good at getting on base base otherwise. His BA and OBP clearly indicate this. So if he rarely hits safely, each hit needs to be of greater value. He is a poor contact hitter, and shows no signs or inclinations to become one. And if not for his stellar fielding, he is not an MLB level player. If his fielding truly has slipped substantially, his value to any MLB team is minimal.

[moonslav59]

Don't look now, but JBJ's OPS is now over .550.

 

He was at .421 on May 18th.

 

Let's hope this is for real!

[oldtimer]

Don't look now, but JBJ's OPS is now over .550.

 

He was at .421 on May 18th.

 

Let's hope this is for real!

 

Cross your fingers and JBJ has looked better this past week. Hope he can keep it up.

[moonslav59]

Cross your fingers and JBJ has looked better this past week. Hope he can keep it up.

 

The weird thing is, he started turning it around on May 20th, last year, too.

[YastrzemskI]

Jackie had a great game today coming off a very productive road trip. He seems to be seeing the ball much better, laying off some bad pitches and just being patient. Good for him. I hope he continues this because I love the kids hustle.

[moonslav59]

He's been going to LF a lot, as well.

 

With 7 guys hitting over .824 right now, chances are one or two will slump. JBJ getting hot can make up for that, and then some.

 

[S5Dewey]

He's been going to LF a lot, as well.

 

 

IIRC he started going to LF on May 20 of last year also (if that's the date he turned things around last year).

 

It's been frustrating to watch him continually pull the ball and hit weak grounders to the right side, remembering what worked for him in 2018. I don't always understand what's going on in his head but I'm glad he's now going back to what worked last year rather than keep trying what hasn't worked for two consecutive years.

[moonslav59]

IIRC he started going to LF on May 20 of last year also (if that's the date he turned things around last year).

 

It's been frustrating to watch him continually pull the ball and hit weak grounders to the right side, remembering what worked for him in 2018. I don't always understand what's going on in his head but I'm glad he's now going back to what worked last year rather than keep trying what hasn't worked for two consecutive years.

 

It's hard to ever know why.

 

Maybe having such a great World Series went to his head. He seemed to be swinging for a HR every swing (and always trying to pull it).

 

[Jasonbay44]

Like you guys have mentioned, this biggest thing to me is him using the middle and the opposite field. He has looked much better at the plate lately. If he can OPS 700+ and play solid defense, he still provides really good value for this team and I don't think I'm asking for a lot.

[moonslav59]

Like you guys have mentioned, this biggest thing to me is him using the middle and the opposite field. He has looked much better at the plate lately. If he can OPS 700+ and play solid defense, he still provides really good value for this team and I don't think I'm asking for a lot.

 

No, your not asking for anything he hasn't already done over and over- bounce back after a long slump.

[S5Dewey]

This will be an interesting arbitration case after this season if JBJ continues to hit. JBJ will be able to make a legitimate case that he's one of the premiere outfielders in baseball while the Sox FO can also make a legitimate case that he's too offensively streaky to be called 'elite'.

 

Speaking as one of JBJ's biggest supporters and defenders here I have mixed emotions about his starting to hit again. I watch games hoping to see another of his highlight catches and I'd like to see him signed to a long-term contract. However, if he can OPS @ .800+ the Sox may not be able to afford him when he reaches free agency.

[moonslav59]

This will be an interesting arbitration case after this season if JBJ continues to hit. JBJ will be able to make a legitimate case that he's one of the premiere outfielders in baseball while the Sox FO can also make a legitimate case that he's too offensively streaky to be called 'elite'.

 

Speaking as one of JBJ's biggest supporters and defenders here I have mixed emotions about his starting to hit again. I watch games hoping to see another of his highlight catches and I'd like to see him signed to a long-term contract. However, if he can OPS @ .800+ the Sox may not be able to afford him when he reaches free agency.

 

It might also be interesting to see how a (possible) slip in defensive metrics affects his arb and FA money.

[Larry33]

Other than for the 2016 season he has constantly struggled at the plate every year. His sample size is large enough for anybody to make a pretty accurate assessment on his offensive capabilities and could very well be viewed as an inconsistent hitter by many. Father time is no friend to anybody especially athletes we seen how teams are becoming leery on FA players and big contracts especially the ones who are on the backside of 30. Bradley jr will likely be viewed as late inning defensive replacement for many teams his value isn't going to be high.

[SCM33]

Cut his ass

[Slasher9]

Cut his ass

 

Lol. Who do you want playing CF?

[notin]

Lol. Who do you want playing CF?

 

Gorkys Time!!!!

[moonslav59]

JBJ has clawed his way up to .600 after being at .421 on the morning of May 20th.

 

10 games does not make a player great, but he's been at 1.200 the last 10 games, so all this talk of "cutting his ass" is about as absurd as any position can be.