Size More -- Bradley Less

Kevin Aherne (@KAherne17)

When Jacoby Ellsbury defected to the Evil Empire this past winter, the heir-apparent to the center field position was Jackie Bradley, Jr.

The 23-year old from the University of South Carolina has been billed as a five-tool outfielder who the Red Sox can build around.  But with today's announcement by John Farrell that Grady Sizemore will be the Opening Day center fielder, Bradley's future role at Fenway is in question.

Bradley had a monster Spring Training in 2013 (.419/.507/.613), but started off the regular season poorly, finishing the season with a .189 batting average in 37 games played.  

This spring, those woes continued.  In 57 Spring Training at bats, Bradley has just 9 hits. 

Along comes Grady

The Sox added Grady Sizemore on January 22nd, signing the 31-year old to an incentive-laden one-year deal.  The purpose of the deal was to add depth, taking a flier on the oft-injured former Indian to give Boston a fourth option in the outfield. 

Sizemore hasn't played in a Major League game since September 22, 2011, and in that season, he played in just 71 games.  However, he has been impressive this spring, posting a .333 batting average with apparent full mobility in the outfield.

Back to basics

With the announcement that Sizemore would be the Sox' center fielder, Bradley was optioned to Pawtucket, leaving Boston with five outfielders on the Opening Day roster: Jonny Gomes, Daniel Nava, Shane Victorino, and Sizemore.

Here's the rub.  We know Jackie Bradley, Jr. can hit at the Minor League level.  He hit .315 with 9 home runs in 2011(128 games) and .275 with 10 home runs in 2013 (80 games) at the minor league level.

Relegating their future star to AAA does nothing for his development--in fact it simply retards his progress. Which begets the question: What exactly is Jackie Bradley Jr.'s future with the Boston Red Sox.