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.”
Cubs Remain Cold at the Plate in 3-1 Loss to Beloit
The South Bend Cubs (34-55) fell short in another low-scoring contest against the Beloit Sky Carp (44-44) on Saturday at Four Winds Field. The Sky Carp won the three-game series with a 3-1 victory, again taking a late lead and keeping the Cubs’ offense quiet. Click here to view Saturday’s
Ruoff Mortgage Homestand Preview: July 18-20
After an 11-day stretch without Midwest League baseball at Four Winds Field, the South Bend Cubs return for another weekend series. They’ve got another three-game set on tap, this time against the Beloit Sky Carp, the High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Cubs and Sky Carp have already played
Multi-platinum Artist Tyler Hubbard to Headline Concert at Four Winds Field August 27
SOUTH BEND, IN - Live country music is set to return to Four Winds Field for the first time since 2018 as 22x No. 1 country hitmaker Tyler Hubbard will bring his high-energy show, as both one-half of Florida Georgia Line and as a solo artist, to Downtown South Bend
South Bend Takes Finale in Wisconsin 5-4
Appleton, WI - The South Bend Cubs will enter the Major and Minor League Baseball All-Star Break with some major momentum. That’s after defeating the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Sunday afternoon in Appleton by a final of 5-4. The Cubs took five of six games away from their West Division
‘Rattlers Come Back to Bite Cubs 3-2
Appleton, WI - The second longest winning streak of the season for the South Bend Cubs has come to an end. After winning five straight games since Sunday’s finale against Peoria, the Cubs fell for the first time this week in their series in Appleton, dropping Saturday’s game to Wisconsin
Rojas Homers Twice in 6-2 Victory Over Wisconsin
Appleton, WI - The South Bend Cubs have won five straight games, and already with four wins this week on the road in Appleton taking on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, South Bend has earned a season win. In nonstop rain showers in Northern Wisconsin Friday night, the Cubs defeated the
Cubs Smack Season-Best 16 hits, Sting ‘Rattlers 12-3
Appleton, WI - It’s been a week full of season-bests for the South Bend Cubs so far up in Appleton, winning the first three games in their series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. South Bend has won four straight games, including most recently on Thursday night by a final of
South Bend Wins Third Straight, Skips Past Wisconsin 3-1
Appleton, WI - Behind the third time this season that starter Evan Aschenbeck has pitched seven innings in an outing, the South Bend Cubs took down the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in Appleton by a final of 3-1 to win its third straight game. The Cubs have taken the first two
Cubs Launch Season-High Four Homers in 13-4 Beatdown of ‘Rattlers
Appleton, WI - In an important second half road series in the Midwest League West Division, the South Bend Cubs hammered the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Tuesday night to begin this new series in Appleton, taking down the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate 13-4. South Bend cursed a season-best four home runs
Toyota Road Report: July 8-13
The Major and Minor League Baseball All-Star Break is one week away, and teams around the country are trying to bottle up final bits of momentum that they can take with them into the midsummer breather. For the South Bend Cubs, it’s an important road series on the way up
Promotions Preview: A Four Winds Field Independence Day Celebration For The Ages!
The biggest Independence Day extravaganza in Michiana is happening this weekend at Four Winds Field in Downtown South Bend. The South Bend Cubs return home following the team’s longest road trip of the season, with home games on July 4, 5, and 6. The Cubs will take on the Peoria
Cubs Salvage 5-3 Sunday Win to End Peoria Series
The South Bend Cubs (29-52) ended their week with a 5-3 win against the Peoria Chiefs (35-45) on Sunday at Four Winds Field. The Cubs never trailed in the game, getting five shutout innings from their bullpen on a day when the conditions favored offense. Peoria still won the series,
Peoria Pitching Calms Cubs Again in 5-2 Loss
The Peoria Chiefs (35-44) won a fifth consecutive game against the South Bend Cubs (28-52) on Saturday night at Four Winds Field, claiming a 5-2 victory. The Cubs have now lost six consecutive games both overall and within the season series against Peoria. Click here to view Saturday’s box score.
Seven-Run Inning Hinders Cubs in 9-4 Loss to Peoria
With a Fourth of July attendance of 7,541, the largest Four Winds Field crowd of the season, the South Bend Cubs (28-51) dropped Friday’s game to the Peoria Chiefs (34-44). In their 9-4 victory, the Chiefs scored seven runs in the fourth inning to take an 8-0 lead. Peoria has
Chiefs Walk Off Cubs 3-2, Sweep Peoria Leg of Series
Following Wednesday’s 21-2 loss, the South Bend Cubs (28-50) dropped a nailbiter to the Peoria Chiefs (33-44) on Thursday. The Chiefs walked off the Cubs by a 3-2 score in 10 innings, earning their third consecutive win to open the series. Both teams will now head to South Bend and
Cubs Overwhelmed by Chiefs Offense in 21-2 Defeat
The South Bend Cubs (28-49) were on the receiving end of a Peoria Chiefs (32-44) avalanche Wednesday night, taking a 21-2 loss at Dozer Park. Peoria set season highs in runs, hits, and doubles, scoring at least 20 runs in a game for the first time since 2004. The Chiefs
Cubs’ Bats Go Cold in 6-1 Loss at Peoria
The South Bend Cubs (28-48) couldn’t crack the code on offense in Tuesday’s series opener at Peoria, dropping a 6-1 result to the Chiefs (31-44). With the outcome, both teams moved to 5-5 in the second half, as Peoria allowed only three hits, all singles. Click here to view Tuesday’s
Live Pro Wrestling Returns to Four Winds Field August 30
Revolution Championship Wrestling Presents SWINGING FOR THE FENCES LIVE Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Four Winds Field. Gates Open and Meet & Greet begins at 5:00pm. Bell time is at 7:00pm. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS Tickets Ringside (1st & 2nd Rows) - $25 Ringside (3rd through 5th Rows) -
Cubs Go Quietly in Series Finale, End June With 6-1 Loss
The South Bend Cubs (28-47) came up short in their series finale and June finale against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (43-32) on Sunday afternoon. With a 6-1 loss, the Cubs finished June with a 14-11 record and are still above .500 at 5-4 in the second half. They’ll leave Cedar
Cubs Hold On for 5-4 Win, Capture Series in Cedar Rapids
The South Bend Cubs (28-46) won their series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (42-32) on Saturday evening at Veterans Memorial Stadium, winning the game by a 5-4 score. The Cubs have now won consecutive road series after going without a winning road series throughout April and May. They also remain
Cubs Pummel Kernels 12-4 After Dropping Suspended Game 6-5
The South Bend Cubs (27-46) guaranteed themselves at least a split of their road series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (42-31) on Friday evening at Veterans Memorial Stadium. After losing the completion of Thursday’s suspended game by a 6-5 score, the Cubs rolled to a 12-4 win in Friday’s scheduled
Schlaffer Shines Again, Cubs Push Past Kernels 4-1
Since turning 24 on May 24, Tyler Schlaffer has become one of the Midwest League’s most dominant starting pitchers. Across his last five starts, he’s allowed just two runs in 34 innings, adding to those numbers with 10 strikeouts in seven one-hit frames Wednesday at Cedar Rapids. Schlaffer’s effort led
Cubs Start Long Road Trip With 10-6 Win in Cedar Rapids
The South Bend Cubs (25-45) pounced on their first road opportunity of the second half Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Stadium, defeating the Cedar Rapids Kernels (41-29) by a 10-6 score to open their nine-game road trip. South Bend never trailed in the game, posting double-digit runs for the fourth time
Toyota Road Report: June 24-29
An early road test in the second half awaits the South Bend Cubs this week, as they’ll end the month of June with six games against the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. After those six, the Cubs will play three games in Peoria to complete
Captains Score Nine Unanswered Runs, Win 10-5 Again in South Bend
The Lake County Captains (37-32) captured a series win on Sunday at Four Winds Field, besting the South Bend Cubs (24-45) by a 10-5 score for the second consecutive day. After falling behind by a 5-1 score at the end of three innings, the Captains scored nine consecutive runs, including