O's prospect Bradfield sets SB record on 3-steal night at Triple-A
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No Oriole has stolen more bases with Norfolk since it became the club's Triple-A affiliate in 2007 than Enrique Bradfield Jr.
The Orioles' No. 18 prospect picked up three steals Saturday during the Tides' 10-6 loss to Charlotte at Harbor Park. Bradfield now has 36 steals in 41 attempts through 87 games with Norfolk this season. Including his time at Single-A and High-A, Bradfield is 44-for-50 in stolen bases this year.
The 2023 first-round Draft pick has 179 steals through 306 career Minor League games. Although his game-changing speed has been beneficial on the basepaths and in center field, Bradfield's overall game is still a work in progress. The 24-year-old has a .263 career average in the Minors with a .719 OPS. He is slashing .260/.351/.349 across 365 plate appearances with Norfolk.
Bradfield's 80-grade speed and 70-grade defense in center field have elicited comparisons to Kenny Lofton. The six-time MLB All-Star retired with a 10.2% walk rate. Bradfield has a 10.1% walk rate this season with Norfolk. But for him to be as great as Lofton was at the highest level, he will need to up his offensive game.