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 campaign of Fred Taylor.
