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.”
Columbus Drops Pitcher's Duel in 1-0 Shutout Loss
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (21-22) lost 1-0 to the Montgomery Biscuits (22-22) on Saturday night at Synovus Park. Decisive Plays: After a dominant first three innings by Didier Fuentes, Montgomery began knocking on the door in the top of the fourth inning. A pair of hit batters combined
Quintero's Eighth Inning Go-Ahead Grand Slam Sends Columbus to Fifth-Straight Win
COLUMBUS, GA., — Geraldo Quintero did little but pose and admire his work as he sent a go-ahead grand slam deep into the night that powered the Columbus Clingstones (21-21) past the Montgomery Biscuits (21-22) in a thrilling 6-4 triumph on Friday night at Synovus Park. Columbus has won five-straight
Compton Cruises Columbus past Montgomery in Thursday Night Doubleheader
COLUMBUS, GA., — Drew Compton blasted his first two home runs at the Double-A level and the Columbus Clingstones (20-21) swept the Montgomery Biscuits (21-21) in a doubleheader on Thursday night at Synovus Park. Columbus took Game 1 in a thrilling 3-2 walk-off win before shutting out the Biscuits 4-0
Mejia Dominates Again as Clingstones Cruise to 5-1 Win over Montgomery
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (18-21) rode the momentum from another magnificent start from Ian Mejia and a hot bat in Cal Conley to a 5-1 win over the Montgomery Biscuits (21-19) on Wednesday night at Synovus Park. Decisive Plays: Mejia made quick work of the Biscuits in the
Clingstones Turn Tables on Montgomery with 6-5 Walk-Off Win
COLUMBUS, GA., — The last time the Columbus Clingstones (17-21) saw the Montgomery Biscuits (21-18) on April 5, Montgomery was spilling out of the dugout to celebrate its 6-5 walk-off victory in 10 innings. On Tuesday night at Synovus Park, Columbus turned the tables on the Biscuits with some walk-off
Weekend Woes Continue in Series Finale Loss to Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, TN., — The Columbus Clingstones (16-21) lost their offensive groove on Friday night and could not find it the rest of the weekend, falling in shutout fashion again to the Knoxville Smokies (19-18) on Sunday afternoon at Covenant Health Park. Columbus split the series 3-3 with Knoxville. Decisive Plays:
Clingstones Shutout by Knoxville 5-0 on Saturday Night
KNOXVILLE, TN., — Atlanta Braves' No. 6 prospect JR Ritchie managed 4.0 innings in his Double-A debut, but the Columbus Clingstones (16-20) managed no run support in a 5-0 loss to the Knoxville Smokies (18-18) on Saturday night at Covenant Health Park. Decisive Plays: Knoxville jumped ahead in the third
Clingstones Denied Fourth-Straight Victory in Walk-Off Loss to Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, TN., — A costly throwing error from Blane Abeyta on a sacrifice bunt attempt in the ninth inning opened the door for the game-tying and game-winning runs to score for the Knoxville Smokies (17-18) as the Columbus Clingstones failed to add on to an early 3-0 lead and fell
Three-Run 11th Inning Helps Columbus Outlast Knoxville 4-1
KNOXVILLE, TN., — Free baseball has been winning baseball this week for the Columbus Clingstones (16-18) as the club rode a three-run 11th inning to a third-consecutive extra-inning win over the Knoxville Smokies (16-18) on Thursday night at Covenant Health Park. Columbus has won 7 of its last 8 games.
Homestand Highlights: Clingstones Put Their Best Foot Forward with Tube Socks Giveaway
COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Columbus Clingstones are turning into big steppers with a Clingstones Tube Socks Giveaway that headlines a seven-game homestand against the Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A, Tampa Bay Rays), May 20–25 at Synovus Park. The week also features a special 6:05 p.m. game on Sunday, May 25, highlighted by
Clingstones Win 4-3 In Another Extra-Inning Contest at Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, TN., — The Columbus Clingstones (15-18) lost the lead again in the ninth inning to the Knoxville Smokies (16-17) but dug deep to climb in front in the 10th inning and held off the Smokies 4-3 for another extra-inning victory on Wednesday night at Covenant Health Park. Decisive Plays:
Clingstones Win Thriller 9-7 Over Knoxville in 10 Innings
KNOXVILLE, TN., — The Columbus Clingstones (14-18) waited out an extended rain delay, led early, fell behind, and battled the Knoxville Smokies in a marathon shootout to win 9-7 in 10 innings on Tuesday night at Covenant Health Park. Decisive Plays: Ethan Workinger continued his hot stretch with a solo
Rain Postpones Series Finale for Columbus, Birmingham
COLUMBUS, GA., — Steady rainfall around the scheduled 1:05 p.m. first pitch continued throughout the afternoon at Synovus Park, forcing the postponement of the series finale. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader at Regions Field in Birmingham in June with the official date to be
Clingstones Fall 4-1 to Birmingham In Soggy Game at Synovus Park
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (13-18) waited out a nearly three-hour rain delay and battled through a long night, controversial calls, and hot tempers in a 4-1 loss to the Birmingham Barons (15-16) on Saturday night at Synovus Park. The game was completed in seven innings due to the
Paolini Powers Stones to Fourth-Straight Win With Eighth Inning Homer
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (13-17) led early, saw the lead slip away late, and jumped in front of the Birmingham Barons (14-16) for good thanks to a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning from Stephen Paolini that gave Columbus the decisive lead in a 4-2 win
Magnificent Start from Mejia Carries Columbus to 2-0 Victory
COLUMBUS, GA., — Ian Mejia turned in a brilliant start for the Columbus Clingstones (12-17), going 7.0-scoreless frames against the Birmingham Barons (14-15) to send the Stones to a 2-0 shutout victory on Thursday night at Synovus Park. Decisive Plays: Columbus was held without a baserunner through six innings but
Workinger Homers Twice as Clingstones Offense Explodes for 13-7 Win
COLUMBUS, GA., — The rampage continued for Ethan Workinger on Wednesday night as the reigning Southern League Player of the Week cranked two home runs and drove in five RBIs to lead the Columbus Clingstones (11-17) to a high-octane 13-7 win over the Birmingham Barons (14-14) at Synovus Park. Decisive
Two Homer Night from Quintero Powers Clingstones Past Birmingham
COLUMBUS, GA., — Geraldo Quintero electrified Synovus Park with home runs from each side of the plate, including a go-ahead blast in the sixth inning to power the Columbus Clingstones (10-17) to a 4-3 victory over the Birmingham Barons (14-13) on Tuesday night at. Decisive Plays: An RBI single from
Ethan Workinger Named Southern League Player of the Week
COLUMBUS, GA., — Minor League Baseball announced today that Columbus outfielder Ethan Workinger has been named the Southern League Player of the Week for April 28-May 4. The honor marks the first weekly award in Clingstones history. Workinger batted .364 (8-for-22) with a double, four home runs, nine RBIs, and
Homestand Highlights: Clingstones Stay Home With Replica Home Cap Giveaway
COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Columbus Clingstones are not going anywhere and inviting fans to look like the team with a Replica Home Cap Giveaway on Saturday, May 10 as part of a six-game homestand against the Birmingham Barons (Double-A, White Sox) May 6-11 at Synovus Park. The week also includes
Clingstones Fall 6-1 in Series Finale to Biloxi
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (9-17) fell behind early and did not have the offensive juice to rally back in a 6-1 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers (15-12) on Sunday afternoon at Synovus Park. Decisive Plays: Leading 1-0 in the third inning, Biloxi expanded its lead on a two-run
Clingstones Lose 8-5 After Lead Unravels in Eighth Inning
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (9-15) got off to a big lead early and led 5-1 late in the contest, but a seven-run eighth inning from the Biloxi Shuckers (14-12) turned the game around and sent Columbus to an 8-5 loss on Saturday night at Synovus Park. Decisive Plays:
Early Deficit Proves Too Vast for Clingstones Comeback Effort in 7-4 Loss
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (9-15) scored three times and got the tying run on base in the eighth inning but could not rally all the way back to draw even with the Biloxi Shuckers (13-12) in a 7-4 loss on Friday night at Synovus Park Decisive Plays: Biloxi
Workinger's Historic Night Drives Columbus to 9-5 Win Over Biloxi
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (9-14) broke their six-game losing skid off Ethan Workinger's three home runs and eight RBIs in a 9-5 win over the Biloxi Shuckers (12-12) on Thursday night at Synovus Park. Decisive Plays: After a two-run opening half by Biloxi, Ethan Workinger quickly cut the
Clingstones Comeback Effort Not Enough in 8-5 Loss to Biloxi
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (8-14) fell 8-5 tonight to the Biloxi Shuckers (12-11) after a late rally in the eighth inning was cut short by Justin Yeager. Decisive Plays: Biloxi got off to an early 1-0 lead after a pair of wild pitches in the top of the