Despite having their season cut short, the varsity baseball team, undefeated (10-0) and ranked the number one team in Florida, owes a great portion of their successes to their center fielder, senior Enrique Bradfield Jr..
Bradfield, named the second overall defensive outfielder across the nation, sported a .367 batting average, nine hits and a total of 41 plate appearances through 10 games of the shortened spring, all of which ranked top three among the team. However, it’s Bradfield’s dominant impact in the outfield that has propelled the Patriots to having one of the top seasons in the country. This, thanks in large part, to his recent ranking as the fastest high school player in the nation, per Baseball America.
“It’s given me a huge advantage over my opponents,” Bradfield said. “It gives me the ability to put pressure on them, knowing that it’s not going to be easy to get me out. Knowing I can really run creates doubt and pressure on their end for them to be able to make a play and stop me.”
Though the ranking does acknowledge Bradfield’s high-end speed, the senior outfielder doesn’t typically “dwell” on rankings. Instead, he tries to focus on working on his game to achieve his end goal of becoming “great.”
“I would describe my work ethic as determined and motivated; very confident is another word I’d use,” Bradfield said. “I’m going to put in a lot of work and time into my craft because that’s what it takes to be great. Some people play the game for fun, but I play to win and be great.”
While the coronavirus has put the season on hold, Bradfield has continued to put in work, staying ready in the case of a season revival or for his next chapter at Vanderbuilt, where he committed to play college ball, as he hopes for the best amid these unprecedented times.
“It was sad and heartbreaking because you don’t know if you’re going to get the chance to play with your team again. We all grew up together and finally it was our time. We were rolling (10-0) and just smoking everyone in our path. It’s hard, but it’s reality; it’s out of our control so I cannot dwell on it,” he said. “As much as I miss it, what’s going on in the world right now is way worse than my season ending.”
