Over the years, the Tampa Bay Rays have had some young MLBbro players among their top contributors. One of their most successful teams (2008) was led by a couple of rising stars in David Price and BJ Upton. This year’s edition has a pair of young bros in pitcher Taj Bradley and outfielder Chandler Simpson. Bradley is seemingly getting more and more comfortable on the mound with every Major League start.
He’s had a steady rise up the ladder considering making the Major Leagues isn’t a lock for a fifth-round selection. Bradley was selected in the 2018 draft and like many players, his first couple of professional seasons took some getting used to. In his last start on May 21, Bradley shook off a shaky start, and his Rays squad supported him with a season high four-homer performance as they hung on to beat the Astros 8-4.
Taj Bradley’s MLB Journey
The Covid year of 2020 was a season that was wiped out on the field for Bradley, but it seemingly helped him focus and lock in on his future. His 2021 season was spent at two levels of A ball, and he posted quality numbers with a 12-3 record and an ERA of 1.83.
2022 was a season that established Bradley as a known minor league commodity. The righthander made a combined 28 starts between the Montgomery Biscuits and the Durham Bulls which are the two highest affiliates in the Rays organization. He technically had 29 starts during the season as he got the nod to take the mound for the American League team in the prestigious futures game held at Dodger stadium that year.
Taj Bradley Makes MLB Debut In 2023
2023 was the year he reached the Major Leagues, and he has made at least 21 starts each big league season and will more than likely exceed that total in 2025. “For me I just want to have long games. Like 6 innings, 7 innings and save the bullpen a little bit” Bradley told MLBbro.com reporter Malik Wright during the middle of last season.
He’s gone six or more innings in three of his last five starts and he’s only given up more than two runs in those five starts, once. On May 16th, Bradley gave up five runs in four innings against a feisty Miami Marlins squad.
Baseball appears to have been his focus since childhood. The Georgia native was teammates with Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler on a travel baseball team in their youth days and certainly has kept good company along the way. Michael Harris of the Atlanta Braves and current teammate Chandler Simpson have been childhood friends of the 24-year-old and both are making their mark at the highest level as well.
Taj Bradley is one of a rising number of MLBbros from the state of Georgia (David Grubb)
Taj Bradley Has Thrown 5,000 Pitches In His Career
Bradley’s growth can also be attributed to his attention to detail. He keeps a notebook with three categories. Motivational quotes, pitching lessons/assessments, and off the field lessons. When you put all of that together you have a recipe for a starter with long term longevity. If you like numbers, please take note that after Bradley’s last start on May 21 he has thrown exactly 5,000 pitches in his Major League career.
