Vanderbilt star center fielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. was selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. The two-time consensus All-American was the first Commodore drafted in this year’s draft.

Bradfield Jr. started his collegiate career in excellent fashion, winning SEC Freshman of the Year in 2021. In his 244 at-bats in 2021, Bradfield Jr. had 38 RBIs and posted a noteworthy .451 on-base percentage (OBP). Since he came to West End, he has been the center of the Commodores’ success. 

Aside from being a consummate leader and role model, Bradfield Jr.’s speed is what sets him apart. In a game against UCLA on Feb. 26, Bradfield Jr. stole the 97th base of his college career, breaking the Vanderbilt career stolen base record. Just a few weeks later, in a midweek matchup against Belmont, Bradfield Jr. had a season-high three stolen bases. The speedster ended his Vanderbilt career with 130 stolen bases.

Bradfield Jr.’s batting average as a Commodore was .311 across three seasons. In his freshman year, Bradfield Jr. posted a .335 batting average. His career OBP of .447 was most impressive.

“He’s been a wonderful player,” head coach Tim Corbin said after Vanderbilt’s season-ending loss to Xavier. “We’ve never had a player play center field like him at any point in time…He’s a very intense young man. He’s committed. He has a high care level for what he’s doing and everything that he does.”

The 6’1’’, 170 lbs. center fielder will help Baltimore’s farm system right from the start. Bradfield Jr.’s dynamic speed and frame will continue to help him get many on-base opportunities with his new team.

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