Twelve is a number Milton Bradley will surely like to forget.
The numeral acrimoniously represents how many times Bradley, now with the Rangers, has been on the DL since his major league career began in 2000 with the Expos. For those first-time Fantasy owners who are wondering why the hot-hitting Bradley, batting .329 through Wednesday, is only owned in 35 percent of leagues, we offer this brief chronicle of his inauspicious pro career -- mostly plagued by injuries and temper tantrums.
Milton Obelle Bradley has always been a promising player dating back to his days at Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High School. He was the 40th overall selection and second-round pick of the Expos (now Nationals) in 1996. Believe it or not, he went six picks higher than Jimmy Rollins and an entire round earlier than Nick Johnson. The kid had the talent to play in the majors and it was quite evident as a prep.
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Milton Bradley is off to a solid start in Texas, but we've seen this before.
(US Presswire)
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The switch-hitter had a quiet start to his minor league career with successful seasons in 1996, '97 and '98. He genuinely lamented his name into scouting handbooks when he earned the title of Eastern League's (Double-A) most dangerous switch-hitter in 1999, per a .329 average. However, amid the entire hubbub, Bradley was also first exposed to matters that would follow him throughout his career. He missed 55 games during the '99 season -- 29 due to a shoulder strain, 19 because of personal obligations and seven due to a suspension.
By the time the 2000 season rolled around, Bradley was rated the Expos' top prospect and third best in the International League by Baseball America. He would split time between Triple-A Ottawa and Montreal that season, making his MLB debut July 19 against the Mets. He went 3-for-5 with his first hit and RBI coming off Glendon Rusch. Bradley hit .221 with two homers and 15 RBI in 42 games in 2000. What you won't read is that Bradley played in only one game from Sept. 8-29 due to a strained left oblique -- an injury that will rear its ugly head down the road.
Bradley managed to escape the 2001 season free of injury; however, his time in Montreal would end. After opening as the Expos' starting left fielder, Bradley was optioned to the minors June 22 and dealt to the Indians at midseason in exchange for Zach Day. Perhaps with new surroundings and a fresh start in 2002, Bradley was ready to reach his potential. It didn't turn out to be the case as Bradley was DL-ed twice that season. His first stint on the 15-day DL was because of a fractured orbital bone, and his second appearance was a result of an emergency appendectomy. He appeared in only 98 games in '02 and was limited to one start in the final eight games as a result of straining his left oblique for the second time in his career.
The 2003 season, Bradley's second in Cleveland, was off to a rocking start as he hit safely in the first 14 games. (.390) -- which included a span of three straight contests with a home run. Baseball fans, scouts and Fantasy owners were witnessing the rebirth of a once promising prospect. But wouldn't you guess? Another injury stalled Bradley's progress. This time a strained right hamstring put Bradley on the DL. He would spend just a few weeks inactive, but his season came to an abrupt end Aug. 10 as a lower back contusion sidelined him for the final six weeks. He played in a career-high 101 games that season and hit .321.
Through all his injury problems, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately for Bradley, he was no longer welcome in Cleveland. After a run-in with skipper Eric Wedge, Bradley was dealt again, this time to the L.A. Dodgers in exchange for prospect Franklin Gutierrez. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise as Bradley had career-highs in games played (141), home runs (19), RBI (67), runs (72) and hits (138). But it wasn't without some controversy. Bradley missed games in 2004 due to a pair of suspensions for arguing with an umpire, sprained ankle, sore right shoulder and sore right hamstring.
The story doesn't improve from here on out. Over the next three seasons, he would make stops in Oakland and San Diego, looking to keep his disorganized career on track. He failed in that regard. Every time the planets were aligned, some injury or outburst knocked Bradley off course. He had two stints on the DL in 2005 (finger, knee), two more in 2006 (knee, oblique) and four unwelcomed delays in 2007 (hamstring, calf, strained left oblique). The icing on the cake came when Bradley missed the final week of the season with a torn ACL -- an injury he sustained while arguing with an umpire. Oh vey.
After playing in 141 contests in 2004, Bradley would be limited to 232 out of a possible 486 games the following three seasons. He was in the lineup less than half of the time.
It's not hard to see why Fantasy owners have moved slower than the early bird patrons at a buffet to add Bradley. Most owners would be dying to add a player that hits safely in 17 of the last 18 games, but with all the baggage Bradley brings to the table, it might be only a matter of time before the bottom falls out, again.
The Hasbro Corporation, producers of Milton Bradley games, got it right with Aggravation, Big Trouble, Operation and Risk -- four games that epitomize what baseball's Bradley is all about.
But hey, that's The Game of Life for this veteran outfielder.
Call to the Bench -- We feel this player might be worthy of adding to Fantasy rosters for the long haul
Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati
Owned: 62 percent of leagues
Analysis: How is this kid still available in 38 percent of leagues? I was shocked to see he was only drafted in half of the leagues to begin with and his ownership is only up 12 percent since? Granted, he did open the season in a platoon with Scott Hatteberg, but you knew it was only a matter of time before Votto was the clear-cut favorite. It didn't take him long as three weeks into the season he is already the full-time starting first baseman, and he isn't slowing down. He has four homers in his last nine games and is hitting .310. It's not a fluke. He was a gifted hitter in the minors and it is only a matter of time before he moves up the lineup (primarily hitting seventh).
You're Out! -- We feel this player might have already peaked and his value could be on the decline, so Fantasy owners might want to cut bait ASAP
Mark Teahen, OF, Kansas City
Owned: 46 percent of leagues
Analysis: I wasn't one of the people in Teahen's corner after his breakout 2006 season (.290, 18 HRs, 69 RBI) and I'm still not backing him. Many were shocked to see Teahen's numbers take a dive in 2007 (.284, seven HRs, 60 RBI) and were quick blame it on his transition to the outfield. We bought this excuse with Bill Hall, but it doesn't apply to Teahen. Did you catch his numbers in the minors? There is no denying he is a good hitter, but isn't very productive when it comes to homers and RBI. He never had more than 10 homers when he played a full season in the minors and never totaled more than 80 RBI. Teahen is suitable in AL-only leagues, but I'd much rather have someone with bigger upside in mixed leagues.
GDIPs -- We feel this player might not warrant as much Fantasy consideration as he is receiving and should be avoided in most instances
Mark Hendrickson, SP, Florida
Owned: 39 percent of leagues
Analysis: What does Hendrickson have in common with Daisuke Matsuzaka, Chien-Ming Wang, Brandon Webb and Micah Owings? All of these pitchers have four or more wins. It's quite shocking to see Hendrickson have so much early season success after being rejected by Toronto, Tampa Bay and the Dodgers. Hendrickson's problem has always been that he is very hittable and can't really make hitter's chase pitches out of the zone. Not much has changed. Hendrickson has allowed 29 hits in 30 2/3 innings and has only 14 strikeouts. The reason he has won early is he is facing teams struggling to produce runs. Three of his four wins have come against the Pirates and Nationals -- two teams that rank in the bottom half in runs scored. Hendrickson had a plus-5.00 ERA coming into this season and it might be only a matter of time before his former self returns.
Scouting -- We feel this player is on the verge of being a Fantasy reliable option, but still needs to be monitored over the next few weeks
John Lannan, SP, Washington
Owned: 12 percent of leagues
Analysis: Anyone that can outduel John Smoltz for a win is worthy of mentioning and that's exactly what Lannan did during Tuesday's 6-0 win. He blanked the Braves for seven innings and picked up his third career win while lowering his ERA to 3.42. He was much improved from his previous start against Atlanta (April 12) when he was blasted for six runs and nine hits in four innings. And we can't forget when he struck out 11 Mets April 17. The only problem for the lefty is that he has one win in four starts because the Nationals have failed to provide ample run support. But don't be surprised by his success. The former Siena product had a 12-3 record, 2.31 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in three minor league stops last season. We could be witnessing the rise of a worthy Fantasy option.
Stopgap corner -- We feel this player might be worth using for the upcoming scoring period
Fred Lewis, OF, San Francisco
Owned: 10 percent of leagues
Analysis: Lewis has been the Giants' choice in left field with Dave Roberts (knee) on the 15-day DL. He hasn't disappointed with hits in 11 of his last 12 games. He has seven multi-hit games in that span to go along with one homer, five RBI and .408 average. If he keeps hitting like this, the Giants might be inclined to keep Lewis in left even with a healthy Roberts. However, we feel Lewis might just be a flash in the pan and only provide Fantasy owners with certain spurts and not longevity.
Farm Boys -- This segment is for those long-term keeper owners looking for the next Fantasy superstar
Adam Lind, OF, Toronto
Owned: 6 percent of leagues
Analysis: The release of Frank Thomas will have a trickle down effect in Toronto. The move opens the door for Matt Stairs to take the majority of at-bats at DH in the event Rod Barajas doesn't prove to be a suitable option. The change would then leave a hole in left field. Shannon Stewart can no longer be relied on as an everyday player and this would be the perfect opportunity for Toronto to bring Lind up to the show permanently. Lind had his shot in 2007, and while he hit 11 homers and netted 46 RBI in 290 at-bats, he hit a pathetic .240. But that was probably just rookie nerves. Lind is tearing the cover off the ball for Triple-A Syracuse. He is hitting .379 with nine runs, three doubles, one triple, three homers and 16 RBI in 16 games. He has an OBP of .431 and an OPS of 1.051. Lind is knocking on the door and Toronto could answer the call very soon.
Doctor's Report -- This segment highlights a player on the verge of coming off the DL and ready to make an immediate Fantasy impact.
Alfonso Soriano, OF, Chicago Cubs
Owned: 63 percent of leagues
Analysis: Soriano has made a quick recovery from a strained right calf, and barring any last second setbacks, will spend the minimum amount of time on the 15-day DL. He is ready to be activated May 1 and now is the time Fantasy owners need to scoop him off waivers. Soriano was coming around at the plate before his injury. He has hit safely in the last seven games while raising his average from .045 to .175. Soriano is one of the best power/speed combos in Fantasy and is a must-start option when healthy.
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