Position player pitching: Jackie Bradley Jr. strikes out DJ LeMahieu
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Jackie Bradley Jr. helped the Boston Red Sox save a bullpen arm on Friday night, and got a strikeout in the process.
Down 11-5 to the New York Yankees, the Red Sox decided to let a position player pitch the top of the 9th inning instead of using a reliever. They turned to Bradley. The former South Carolina standout had a memorable pitching debut.
Bradley experienced what’s it like to be on the other side of a strikeout. He got DJ LeMahieu swinging on a 67-mph pitch.
Jackie Bradley Jr. blowin some serious heat by DJ LeMahieu in his first ever pitching appearance pic.twitter.com/aXAv5rEwhv
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 9, 2022
Bradley hit 91.5 on the gun, the fourth-fastest pitch thrown by a position player in 2022.
Red Sox ace Jackie Bradley Jr.
— Obstructed View: Red Sox Podcast 🎙 (@ObstructView) July 9, 2022
Fastest pitches thrown by position players pitching, this season:
94.5 mph — Christian Bethancourt
93.0 mph — Christian Bethancourt
91.6 mph — Christian Bethancourt
91.5 mph — Jackie Bradley JrAnd remember, Bethancourt is a former two-way player
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 9, 2022
The veteran outfielder says he kept some in the tank for future appearances.
Well, that was unique! Hopefully next time I get to warm up a little more. More still in tank ⛽️ but I was told to be safe. Soooo I actually listened for once in my life 😌 pic.twitter.com/r1pkymjocR
— Jackie Bradley Jr. (@JackieBradleyJr) July 9, 2022
A nice hand for Jackie Bradley Jr., who allowed 1ER in the 9th inning, which is as many as the #RedSox pitcher who allowed the least amount of runs today: Michael Feliz, 1ER. (Seabold 7ER, Davis 2 ER) pic.twitter.com/pWTr9CXtMd
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) July 9, 2022
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
