Wednesday, July 13, 2005

TACOMA, Wash. – Former Gardner-Webb University star Sam Bradford is just one step away from the Major Leagues after a recent call up to play for the Triple A Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League.

In two games so far with the Rainers, Bradford has one base hit and two RBI. He collected both RBI with sacrifice flies in his debut with Tacoma on July 9. Bradford notched his first hit with the team on July 10.

The switch-hitting outfielder was drafted in the 22nd round by Seattle in the 2003 MLB Draft and had been on a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Peoria (Ariz.) Mariners. During that eight-game assignment, Bradford batted .270 with two doubles, three triples, a home run and eight RBI.

The former Bulldog had missed action since breaking his wrist while diving into a wall early last season playing with the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Midwest League.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound prospect was a second-team All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection as a junior for Gardner-Webb in 2003, helping the Diamond ‘Dogs to a fifth-place finish in the league. Bradford batted .344 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 2003 for the ‘Dogs, and finished his career with a .319 batting average, 33 home runs and 106 RBI. A talented defensive player with a strong arm, Bradford also holds the school-record for outfield assists in a season, throwing out eight runners as a freshman in 2001.

The Smyrna, Ga., native (Campbell HS) sits third in GWU history with his 33 career home runs and is fifth all-time with 106 career RBI.

Other Bulldog Minor League Notes: Recent Gardner-Webb draft pick Zach Ward, who went in the third round to Cincinnati in June, is currently on the Reds’ Advanced A roster in Sarasota, but is not pitching for the team yet.

The Kannapolis, N.C., fireballer started a throwing program on Monday and has been training with the Reds while resting a big right arm that threw a grueling 108.0 innings during the 2005 college season. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder could see live game action in as early as two weeks in Sarasota.