Could Bradfield be part of Orioles’ outfield in 2027? | MAILBAG

Question: The Orioles outfield (less Colton Cowser) seems to be slow and use stone gloves. What do you think about an outfield in 2027 that includes Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Payton Eeles (mostly an infielder with outfield experience like Jeremiah Jackson but with better speed and contact)? It’ll have less power, but the stolen bases, contact, and defense should explode (assuming they both don’t crumble after being promoted). From: Craig Askins

Answer: Craig, while I do think the Orioles could use speed and better defense in the outfield, they also need better offensive production, and I’m not sure either Enrique Bradfield Jr. or Payton Eeles could provide that.

Bradfield has excellent speed and could be part of the Orioles’ outfield in 2027, but I think his offense isn’t strong enough. Perhaps he’d get better in the majors.

Eeles played only 66 games for Norfolk, and other than a brief look at him during spring training, I haven’t seen much of him. He didn’t exhibit much power — two home runs and 20 RBIs — and was thrown out stealing as often as he was successful (7-for-14).

I’m not sure he’s considered much of a prospect because the Orioles called up Jose Barrero after Jackson Holliday was hurt when they could have called up Eeles. 

Question: Do you think the Dodgers would trade three prospects for Gunnar Henderson? Outfield five-tool stud Eduardo Quintero, pitcher Christian Zazueta and outfielder Easton Shelton? Quintero is a major league ready outfielder ,and Zazueta is ready to pitch at the big league level. Twenty-one year-old Shelton was the Cal League MVP with 37 home runs, 112 RBIs and batted .297. From: Bruce Breslow

Answer: Bruce, I try to stay away from conjuring up trades, and I’ll continue that.

You have done your research. According to MLB Pipeline, they don’t forecast that Quintero, whom they rank as the second-highest Dodgers prospect, will be ready for the majors until 2028. He’s played only one game at Double-A.

Zazueta, who’s their fifth-ranked prospect, has pitched just 12 games in Double-A.

Pipeline lists Shelton as a corner infielder, not an outfielder, and ranks him No. 30. I also see that he struck out 163 times in 109 games in Single-A, which is an awful lot. They forecast he’ll be ready for the majors in 2029.

If the Orioles and Dodgers make this deal, I’ll be happy to give you the credit for coming up with the idea, but I don’t see it happening.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.