Baltimore Orioles Select Speedy Vanderbilt OF at No. 17 in MLB Draft
The Baltimore Orioles have selected speedy Vanderbilt University outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. at No. 17 in the MLB Draft on Sunday night.
He was ranked the No. 21 draft prospect in baseball per MLB.com and here's a portion of his MLB.com profile:
The fastest player in the 2020 Draft, Bradfield could have gone in the top three rounds as a Florida high schooler if he hadn't been intent on attending Vanderbilt. He led NCAA Division I with 47 steals while winning Southeastern Conference freshman of the year honors in 2021, then finished second last season with 46 (in 46 attempts) and eighth this spring with 37. His speed and defense elicit repeated comparisons to Kenny Lofton, who won five stolen-base titles and three Gold Gloves.
His selection follows Paul Skenes (No. 1, Pirates), Dylan Crews (No. 2, Nationals), Max Clark (No. 3, Tigers), Wyatt Langford (No. 4, Rangers), Walker Jenkins (No. 5, Twins), Jacob Wilson (No. 6, A's), Rhett Lowder (No. 7, Reds), Blake Mitchell (No. 8, Royals), Chase Dollander (No. 9, Rockies), Noble Meyer (No. 10, Marlins), Nolan Schanuel (No. 11, Angels), Tommy Troy (No. 12, Diamondbacks), Matt Shaw (No. 13, Cubs) Kyle Teel (No. 14, Red Sox), Jacob Gonzalez (No. 15, White Sox) and Bryce Eldridge (No. 16, Giants).
If Bradfield signs, he'll join one of the best systems in baseball, complete with guys like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson.
At the major league level, the Orioles are 54-35 and in second place in the American League East. They trail the Rays by 2.0 games in the American League East.
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