Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game.
As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring Breakout showcase between Orioles and Yankees prospects at Ed Smith Stadium -- aired live across the country on MLB Network -- he let out all of his emotions. He screamed loudly in celebration, putting a challenging week behind him in the process.
That hustle play was made for Isaiah Hood, Bradfield’s former teammate during his high school travel ball days in South Florida who died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 25 on Tuesday.
“For me to come out here, it’s meant a lot to me, personally,” said Bradfield, Baltimore’s No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, who was born in Pembroke Pines, Fla. “To be able to give my mom a hug and see how emotional she is, see my sister still come out here, and I guess just play for my friend. It was tougher than I expected, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. I hope he’s resting up there. It’s just been a tough week for everybody that I’ve been around -- for my family, friends, his family. Playing with a heavy heart.”
Hood was a fellow baseball player who graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2019. He remained in Bradfield’s mind throughout Saturday night.
“A very quiet kid. Once you got him in a comfortable setting, he really opened up,” Bradfield said. “He’s a great friend, great person, great big brother, great son, all the way around. There’s a lot of people, including myself, including my family, who are hurting right now. Just made the past couple of days very tough. Trying to stay busy, keep my mind in good spirits. But at the end of the day, it’s a loss of life that can’t be replaced. It’s just hard. It’s very tragic and hard all the way around.”
Bradfield put on the type of performance during the Orioles’ 5-4 win that he was sure would have made his friend proud.
In the bottom of the first, Bradfield slapped a leadoff single to left-center field. He moved from first to third on an errant pickoff throw by New York right-hander Carlos Lagrange, showing off the 80-grade speed that helped make him the O’s first-round Draft pick in 2023.
“That guy runs way too much. He's way too fast,” top Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo said via team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “It’s really impressive what he's able to do.”
Then, Lagrange uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Bradfield to take off. The 23-year-old bolted home, dove headfirst and gave max effort in trying to score -- which he did successfully, touching the plate before moving his arms in a safe motion in unison with the home-plate umpire.
It was a run more meaningful than most scored by Bradfield over two professional seasons.
“I’m trying to be focused out there, and my energy in that moment, sliding across home plate specifically, just maybe some emotion comes out of me, and that’s normal,” said Bradfield, who finished 2-for-3 with a stolen base and two runs scored. “It’s life. Bad things happen, and you’ve got to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.”
Baseball can help the healing process, which has frequently been proven throughout the sport’s long history. Bradfield felt that way after playing alongside the friends he’s made in the Orioles’ farm system, many of whom put on impressive Spring Breakout performances of their own.
Bradfield started in left field and shared the outfield with two fellow primary center fielders -- Vance Honeycutt (Baltimore’s No. 5 prospect) in center and Jud Fabian (No. 23) in right.
Honeycutt (the O’s first-round Draft pick in 2024) hit an inside-the-park homer in the fourth for his first home run since joining the organization. Fabian made an impressive jumping catch in the sixth.
The exhibition ended in walk-off fashion, with Leandro Arias (the Orioles’ No. 20 prospect) hitting a game-winning two-out RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the ninth.
After Bradfield celebrated with all of Baltimore’s talented youngsters who stormed the field, he took a moment to be with his family. Then, he joined up with four of his former Vanderbilt University teammates -- O’s righty Patrick Reilly and Yankees prospects Spencer Jones, Bryce Cunningham and Greysen Carter -- for a group picture at home plate.
Bradfield also reminded Jones that he won their bet and that Jones must now buy Bradfield dinner in the near future.
“I’m definitely going to pick somewhere nice,” Bradfield said.
At the end of the night, it was important to Bradfield to spend some additional time with people who are close to him. He was eventually the final player to leave the field, after signing autographs for every kid that came up to the netting.
More reminders of what the sport means to Bradfield as he continued to mourn the loss of his close friend Hood.
“Us guys who play together -- whether we came across each other years in advance or whatever it may be -- when you step in that locker room,” Bradfield said, “it’s a special bond that you never forget.”
Dragons Produce Highest Runs Total in 18 Years with 19-4 Win at Lansing
Dragons 19, Lansing 4 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 19-19-1; Lansing (R-H-E): 4-9-3 Win: Trey Braithwaite (3-2); Loss: Corey Avant (2-4); Save: None HR: Dayton: Victor Acosta (1st, 1 on base in sixth inning); Leo Balcazar (7th, 0 on base in seventh inning). HR: Lansing: None Lansing,
Lansing Scores 6 in 1st Inning, Stops Dayton Comeback Bid with 9-7 Win over Dragons
Lansing 9, Dragons 7 Click here for the box score Lansing (R-H-E): 9-11-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 7-8-2 Win: Grant Judkins (4-4); Loss: Nestor Lorant (0-5); Save: Mark Adamiak (12) HR: Dayton: Johnny Ascanio (2nd, 0 on base in third inning). HR: Lansing: Jared Dickey (2nd, 1 on base in first inning).
Dragons Notch Third Straight Win as Hitters Again Produce Big Night at the Plate
Dragons 9, Lansing 4 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 9-12-0; Lansing (R-H-E): 4-10-2 Win: Jose Montero (3-3); Loss: Tzu-Chen Sha (0-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: Carlos Sanchez (1st, 2 on base in third inning). HR: Lansing: None Lansing, Mich.—Dayton’s Yerlin Confidan collected three hits and drove in
Dayton Offense Rolls Again in 13-8 Win at Lansing
Dragons 13, Lansing 8 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 13-17-4; Lansing (R-H-E): 8-12-1 Win: Joseph Menefee (1-1); Loss: Steven Echavarria (2-4); Save: None HR: Dayton: Carter Graham (2nd, 1 on base in third inning). HR: Lansing: C.J. Rodriguez (1st, 0 on base in sixth inning); Casey Yamauchi
Dragons Overcome Eight-Run Deficit, Produce Largest Comeback Win on Record in Franchise History Sunday Afternoon Against Fort Wayne
Dragons 12, Fort Wayne 11 June 22, 2025 Click here for the box score Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 11-12-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 12-17-0 Win: Trey Braithwaite (2-2); Loss: Cole Paplham (0-1) HR: Dayton: Anthony Stephan (2nd, 2 on base in sixth inning) HR: Fort Wayne: Braedon Karpathios (8th, 1 on base in
TinCaps top Dragons 10-0 on Saturday Night at Day Air Ballpark
Fort Wayne 10, Dragons 0 Click here for the box score Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 10-17-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 0-1-1 Win: Eric Yost (4-5); Loss: Luke Hayden (1-3); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: Fort Wayne: Kai Roberts (2nd, 0 on base in first inning); Brandon Butterworth (5th, 0 on base in
Fort Wayne Hits 3 Solo Home Runs to Top Dragons 3-2 in Second Half Opener
Fort Wayne 3, Dragons 2 Click here for the box score Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 3-6-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-8-0 Win: Isaiah Lowe (2-6); Loss: Nestor Lorant (0-4); Save: Garrett Hawkins (3) HR: Dayton: None HR: Fort Wayne: Rosman Verdugo (10th, 0 on base in second inning); Ethan Long (5th, 0 on
Dragons Close First Half Season with 12-1 Loss to Fort Wayne; Second Half Opens Friday Night
Fort Wayne 12, Dragons 1 Click here for the box score Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 12-11-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 1-5-2 Win: Miguel Mendez (3-2); Loss: Jose Montero (2-3); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: Fort Wayne: Oswaldo Linares (1st, 0 on base in fourth inning); Braedon Karpathios (7th, 2 on base in
Dragons Rained-Out on Wednesday; Single-Game Thursday at 7:05 pm
Dayton, Ohio—The Midwest League game between the Dayton Dragons and Fort Wayne TinCaps scheduled for Wednesday night at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District has been canceled due to heavy rain. Wednesday’s game will not be rescheduled. However, fans with tickets to Wednesday’s game may
Dragons Veteran Salute Program to Honor Staff Sergeant Dan Shroyer on Sunday
DAYTON, Ohio -- CareSource Military & Veterans and the Dayton Dragons will host United States Marine Corps, Ohio Air National Guard, and United States Army Reserve veteran Staff Sergeant Dan Shroyer during the Dragons Veteran Salute Program presented by CareSource Military & Veterans on Sunday, June 22 at 1:05 pm
Balcazar Blasts Home Run on His Birthday to Help Dragons to 6-4 Win
Dragons 6, Fort Wayne 4 June 17, 2025 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 6-7-1; Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 4-7-0 Win: Adam Serwinowski (1-4); Loss: Ian Koenig (2-4); Save: Irvin Machuca (2) HR: Dayton: John Michael Faile (9th, 0 on base in fourth inning); Connor Burns (8th, 0 on
Day Air Ballpark -- The Ultimate Movie Theatre: Donatos Movie Night Returns on Friday, August 1 Featuring Moana 2
DAYTON, Ohio -- On Friday, August 1, Donatos Movie Night is back with a feature presentation of Moana 2 (rated PG) on the 2,000-square-foot HD video board at Day Air Ballpark. The gates for the event open at 6:00 PM and the movie will begin at 8:00 PM. Families are
Dayton Dragons Upcoming Homestand Preview Presented by AES Ohio (June 17-22 vs. Fort Wayne)
On Tuesday, June 17, the Dayton Dragons open a six-game homestand against the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. View the complete Homestand Preview HERE.
8-Year-Old Kashani Continues Brave Journey in Battle with Cancer
DAYTON, Ohio -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio and the Dayton Dragons will host 8-year-old Kashani during the iconic Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, June 18, at 7:05 pm when the Dayton Dragons take on the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Day Air Ballpark in
Strong Day from Dragons Bullpen Keys 4-1 Win at Lake County
Dragons 4, Lake County 1 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 4-7-0; Lake County (R-H-E): 1-4-3 Win: Dylan Simmons (2-2); Loss: Matt Wilkinson (1-7); Save: Cody Adcock (1) HR: Dayton: None HR: Lake County: None Eastlake, Ohio—Dayton relievers Dylan Simmons, Joseph Menefee, Will Cannon, and Cody Adcock combined
Cam Collier Homers in Dragons 4-2 Loss at Lake County
Lake County 4, Dragons 2 Click here for the box score Lake County (R-H-E): 4-5-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-5-1 Win: Yorman Gomez (5-0); Loss: Luke Hayden (1-2); Save: Jack Jasiak (5) HR: Dayton: Cam Collier (1st, 1 on base in sixth inning). HR: Lake County: Wuilfredo Antunez (7th, 0 on base
Dragons Win at Lake County, 2-1
Dragons 2, Lake County 1 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 2-3-1; Lake County (R-H-E): 1-7-0 Win: Jonah Hurney (3-2); Loss: Jay Driver (2-1); Save: Irvin Machuca (1) HR: Dayton: None HR: Lake County: None Eastlake, Ohio—The Dayton Dragons took advantage of back-to-back run-scoring wild pitches in the
Dragons Hometown Heroes Program to Honor WPAFB Military and Family Readiness Center on Tuesday
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons will honor the Military and Family Readiness Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as “Hometown Heroes” during the game on Tuesday, June 17 when they take on the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. First
Captains Break 5-5 Tie in 7th, Hold Off Dragons in 9th to Win, 7-6
Lake County 7, Dragons 6 Click here for the box score Lake County (R-H-E): 7-8-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 6-9-1 Win: Robert Wegielnik (3-2); Loss: Jimmy Romano (1-3); Save: Jesus Luna (1) HR: Dayton: None HR: Lake County: None Eastlake, Ohio—The Lake County Captains broke a 5-5 tie with two runs in
Late Home Run Lifts Captains to 4-3 Win over Dragons on Wednesday Afternoon in Lake County
Lake County 4, Dragons 3 Click here for the box score Lake County (R-H-E): 4-5-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 3-4-4 Win: Josh Harlowe (3-2); Loss: Cody Adcock (0-4); Save: Jack Jasiak (4) HR: Dayton: None HR: Lake County: Alfonsin Rosario (10th, 1 on base in seventh inning). Eastlake, Ohio—Lake County’s Alfonsin Rosario
Captains Score 3 in 9th to Defeat Dragons in Lake County, 3-2
Lake County 3, Dragons 2 Click here for the box score Lake County (R-H-E): 3-5-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-6-1 Win: Kyle Scott (3-2); Loss: Trey Braithwaite (1-2); Save: None HR: Dayton: Ariel Almonte (5th, 0 on base in fifth inning). HR: Lake County: None Eastlake, Ohio—The Lake County Captains erased a
Lugnuts Collect 19 Hits, Top Dragons 12-6 Despite Another Home Run by Dayton's Ariel Almonte
Lansing 12, Dragons 6 Click here for the box score Lansing (R-H-E): 12-19-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 6-6-2 Win: Nathan Dettmer (1-2); Loss: Luke Hayden (1-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: Ariel Almonte (4th, 1 on base in second inning). HR: Lansing: Nate Nankil (2nd, 0 on base in sixth inning); Jared Dickey
Lansing Tops Dragons 3-1 Despite Long Home Run by Dayton's Ariel Almonte
Lansing 3, Dragons 1 Click here for the box score Lansing (R-H-E): 3-7-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 1-5-1 Win: Grant Judkins (3-3); Loss: Nestor Lorant (0-3); Save: Mark Adamiak (10) HR: Dayton: Ariel Almonte (3rd, 0 on base in second inning). HR: Lansing: None Dayton, Ohio—Midwest League batting leader T.J. Schofield-Sam delivered
Lugnuts Build Early Lead, Hold on to Defeat Dragons 5-1
Lansing 5, Dragons 1 Click here for the box score Lansing (R-H-E): 5-6-2; Dayton (R-H-E): 1-7-0 Win: Steven Echavarria (2-2); Loss: Jose Montero (2-2); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: Lansing: None Dayton, Ohio—Four Lansing pitchers combined to scatter seven hits as the Lugnuts defeated the Dayton Dragons 5-1 on
Dragons to Recognize Academic All-Star Ella Dersham on June 7
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons Academic All-Star program presented by Edison State Community College will recognize Ella Dersham as an Academic All-Star during pregame festivities on Saturday, June 7, before the Dragons take on the Lansing Lugnuts at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.