The Baltimore Orioles are off to a solid 9-9 start, led by the infield duo of shortstop Gunnar Henderson (six homers and 13 RBI) and MLBbro Jeremiah Jackson (four homers and 14 RBI).

The dynamic duo are the team leaders in both categories. As the team travels to Cleveland for an early season four-game series with the Guardians, all eyes are on some of the talented young prospects in the club’s farm system.

Led by first baseman and catcher Samuel Basallo and speedy outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. While Basallo is already getting a taste of the majors, EBJ is expected to make his major league debut sometime this summer.

Enrique Bradfield Jr. Preparing For Life-Changing Call Up

In the aftermath of a whirlwind offseason that saw the Orioles Triple-A affiliate Norfolk Tides centerfielder and leadoff hitter Bradfield Jr. do everything and have it seem like a blur is the most EBJ thing. He landed in with Norfolk late last season, followed by participating in the renowned Arizona Fall League. That was followed by a spending some time with his family in native Miami prior to returning back to Baltimore for spring training.

Bradfield Jr. also participated in the World Baseball Classic for Panama. His mom and dad were both born there. Bradfield’s speed and elite base path running is gonna be huge for the Orioles with the type of young hitters they have in the lineup daily.

Bradfield Speaks His Truth

“It was short, short offseason. I didn’t get a chance to work on much,”

“It was a great experience to represent the country that my parents were born in. That was a big deal to me. I think it meant a lot to my family. I think it means a lot to my heritage and the people of Panama. So I thought it was a great opportunity to go out there and be a part of that group. It was awesome. I enjoyed every second of it. It happened very, very fast, very quick.”

Elite Base Stealer 

For Bradfield, a 2023 first-round pick out of Vanderbilt, where he averaged more than 43 stolen bases for three seasons. The trend has continued as a professional. In 2024, he swiped 74 bags in 108 games at two levels to finish second in the minor leagues. Although his 2025 season was cut short because of injury he still 36-40 on stolen base attempts.

Norfolk second-year manager Tim Federowicz recently raved about the speedy Bradfield in an interview.

“If he gets on base, he can turn a walk into a triple,” second-year Norfolk manager Tim Federowicz said. “So it’s going to be fun to watch.”

Tides first-year hitting coach Rick Strickland mentioned this about Bradfield Jr.

“That’s his skill: putting his feet on the ground and moving like that,” first-year Norfolk hitting coach Rick Strickland said. “That’s his super-skill.” 

The two have become inseparable since meeting in February, with Strickland saying Bradfield is “just a pleasant kid to be around.”

 

Bradfield Opens Up On His Elite Speed

EBJ told reporters that he began to take notice of his speed when he about 5 or 6 years old.

“(The speed) started showing up more when I was around 11-12, playing travel ball. From there, it was something that stuck with me.

I think the day that’s over, my playing career is over.”

Strickland and other team brass know good and well that Bradfield Jr. can change an entire game with his legs. That’s why they’ve stressed to him and his teammates that he needs to get on base where he can wreak havoc, which is something that Bradfield seeks every time he steps on the diamond.

“Change the game,” Bradfield said. “Use all my tools. Create chaos for the opposing teams and help us score runs. If I touch home plate, it’s a huge win for whatever team I’m on. Right now, that’s the Norfolk Tides, and that’s what I’m looking forward to doing.”