About Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jackie Bradley Jr. is the biggest name on a 2026 Banana Ball roster: an 11-year major leaguer, 2016 All-Star, 2018 Gold Glove winner, 2018 ALCS MVP and 2018 World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, now patrolling center field for the Indianapolis Clowns.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, Bradley played at Prince George High School and then the University of South Carolina, where he won back-to-back College World Series titles in 2010 and 2011 and was the 2010 CWS Most Outstanding Player. Boston took him with a supplemental first-round pick in 2011, and he debuted in the majors in 2013.
His MLB career ran from 2013 to 2023 with the Red Sox, Brewers, Blue Jays and Royals, built on elite center-field defense and a stretch of highlight-reel catches at Fenway Park. After his last big-league appearance in 2023 he played for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League in 2024. The Boston Globe has noted that his circus catches in center field translate directly to a format that rewards highlight plays, and he has said he wants to use the platform to help grow the game and open doors for other Black ballplayers.
On November 13, 2025, the revived Indianapolis Clowns — the historic Negro Leagues franchise that signed Hank Aaron's first pro contract and went dormant in 1989 — took Bradley first overall in the inaugural Banana Ball draft. He is the first former major leaguer to commit to Banana Ball full time, agreeing to play the entire 2026 schedule rather than a guest stint. At 36, he has been one of the Clowns' best hitters, batting well above .350 with an OPS near 1.000 through August while playing center field in No. 19. His live stat line is above.
Jackie's career highlights
- 2018 World Series champion, ALCS MVP and Gold Glove winner with the Boston Red Sox
- 2016 American League All-Star
- Two-time College World Series champion at South Carolina; 2010 CWS Most Outstanding Player
- No. 1 overall pick in the inaugural Banana Ball draft on November 13, 2025
- First former MLB player to commit to a full Banana Ball season
Sources: espn.com , bostonglobe.com , en.wikipedia.org . Stats above are updated automatically from the official Banana Ball stats feed.