Milton Bradley

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #2 prospect in 2000
  Background: Bradley overcame his second umpire-related suspension--this one for spitting gum at an umpire--and a shoulder injury to enjoy a successful season. He joined teammate Peter Bergeron with Team USA in the Pan American Games. His two-out grand slam in the bottom of the ninth won the Eastern League championship for Double-A Harrisburg. Strengths: Bradley's tools are unquestioned. He has excellent bat speed from both sides of the plate and is an above-average runner. He has Gold Glove potential as a center fielder, with an above-average arm and the ability to make the spectacular catch. Weaknesses: The Expos try to paint as positive a picture of Bradley's demeanor as possible, pointing out that he is intelligent and plays as hard as anyone. But umpires, teammates and opponents see a sullen young man. The Future: Bradley can become an all-star if he gives himself the chance. His immediate future hinges on Rondell White's status with the organization.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #6 prospect in 1999
  Background: Bradley blossomed offensively in his first exposure to full-season Class A, combining both power and speed. He continued his strong play in the Maryland Fall League, but was suspended after a physical confrontation with an umpire. With the Delmarva Rockfish this fall, the switch-hitting Bradley hit .330-5-22 in 106 at-bats. Strengths: The Expos compare Bradley's offense to Rondell White's at the same stage. They have similar skills and outfield instincts. Bradley has demonstrated above-average arm strength and the ability to make acrobatic catches. Weaknesses: Bradley has a reputation as being intelligent, but overly sensitive at times. The Expos make no excuses for the incident this fall, but feel that Bradley has made tremendous strides in his approach and attitude. The Future: The Expos stress time and patience when discussing Bradley, but also don't hesitate to praise his ability. They feel his performance in 1998, especially after moving up to the Florida State League, was a reinforcement of Bradley's emotional development.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #3 prospect in 2000
  Bradley made enormous strides this season—as a player and a person. When the Expos returned Bradley to Ottawa in August after a brief callup to Montreal, Sweet wasn't sure what kind of person he'd get. Sweet was the organization’s field coordinator in 1999, so he was well aware of Bradley's history of moodiness and attitude problems. "He was a model citizen," said Sweet, who took over as Ottawa's manager in late July. "He was great for the club. He is definitely maturing. He's going to be something when he learns to play the game. Not the game of baseball, but the game of communication and life." In his first 40 games for the Expos this season, Bradley batted .225-2-15. He still has a lot of work to do smoothing out the rough edges in his game, but he has 30-30 potential. The Expos are confident he'll be a more than adequate replacement for outfielder Rondell White, who was traded to the Cubs in July.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #6 prospect in 1999
  Bradley sometimes is talked about more for his run-ins with umpires, but his skills are matched by few. When he was in the lineup, Bradley was the league's most dangerous switch-hitter. He batted .329 with power from both sides. And he hit the dramatic bottom-of-the-ninth, two-out grand slam to give Harrisburg its fourth straight EL title. Too many times, though, he was out of the lineup. He missed 55 games because of injuries (29), the Pan American Games (19) and a suspension for spitting gum on an umpire (seven). "I've seen some things that were negative on the field, things that have made Milton a slower progresser than his ability shows," said Altoona manager Marty Brown. "He wants to win. It's not a bad thing, as long as he understands where the line is."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #36 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #86 prospect in 1999

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Bradley made enormous strides this season—as a player and a person. When the Expos returned Bradley to Ottawa in August after a brief callup to Montreal, Sweet wasn't sure what kind of person he'd get. Sweet was the organization’s field coordinator in 1999, so he was well aware of Bradley's history of moodiness and attitude problems. "He was a model citizen," said Sweet, who took over as Ottawa's manager in late July. "He was great for the club. He is definitely maturing. He's going to be something when he learns to play the game. Not the game of baseball, but the game of communication and life." In his first 40 games for the Expos this season, Bradley batted .225-2-15. He still has a lot of work to do smoothing out the rough edges in his game, but he has 30-30 potential. The Expos are confident he'll be a more than adequate replacement for outfielder Rondell White, who was traded to the Cubs in July.