It might not be long before the Red Sox send the struggling Jackie Bradley Jr. to Triple-A Pawtucket, but manager John Farrell thinks the rookie has left his mark early on this season.
Despite Bradley hitting just .120 (3-for-25) through Boston’s first nine games, Farrell thinks the rookie played a major role in helping the team start off 5-4.
“He’s contributed in every area of the game, defensively, on the base paths and at the plate. I think he has had a direct impact on two, possibly three, wins for us in the early part of the season,” Farrell told WEEI.com. “And it’s not always reflected in the batting average. It’s a defensive play in New York. It’s a baserunning play in that same series. It’s drawing a key walk in middle innings to either start an inning, or rally within an inning. In Jackie’s case, I think you have to look beneath the batting as to the impact that he’s made.”
Bradley, of course, had a torrid spring, and it initially looked as if that would carry over into the regular season. He reached base three times on Opening Day and recorded an RBI in each of his first three games. Bradley is 1-for-15 over his last five games, though, and Farrell even opted to pinch-hit for him in the seventh inning of Thursday’s loss.
Bradley will likely be shipped back to Triple-A upon David Ortiz‘s return, which could be as early as next week, but it’s clear the 22-year-old has left his mark on the Red Sox skipper. It wouldn’t be surprising if Bradley finds himself up in Boston again by the end of the season.
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