South Carolina baseball legend Jackie Bradley Jr. is making a return to Major League Baseball. After spending the first half of the year with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, where he broke the franchise record with a 28-game hitting streak, Bradley Jr. has been signed by the New York Mets.
Bradley Jr., a former MLB All-Star and Gold Glove winner, was in the middle of a record-setting hitting streak with the Ducks. He had hit safely in 28 consecutive games, surpassing the Ducks’ all-time record and nearing the Atlantic League record of 31 games.
The Mets, who have surged back into playoff contention and currently hold the third Wild Card spot in the National League, purchased Bradley Jr.’s contract on Tuesday. He will report to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets to begin his audition for a spot on the Major League roster. Known for his defensive prowess and recent offensive dominance with the Ducks, Bradley Jr. has a strong chance of joining the Mets’ big league team soon.
Additionally, Bradley Jr. is not the only South Carolina baseball alum to join an NL East team this week. Whit Merrifield, his former College World Series champion teammate, signed with the Atlanta Braves after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies.
