At the plate, on the mound or playing infield, Bradley proved an indispensable asset for the Bulldogs in 2012, leading Piedmont (29-11-1) to its first ever Class 3A state runner-up showing.
College and professional baseball scouts are now finding out just how talented Bradley is. He was selected to play in the 2012 Underclassmen Southeastern Summer All-Star Event for Team Alabama on Tuesday and Wednesday in Marietta, Ga. Over 100 college and professional scouts were at the event.
Bradley was one of 25 players selected by scouts from a workout last week at the Alabama Top 100 Showcase in Troy to play in the Underclassmen event.
In his first game on Tuesday against Team Tennessee, Bradley went 1 for 2 with a double down the left field line. He also recorded two outs at second and a fly out at shortstop. Team Alabama played Team Georgia on Wednesday, but Bradley didn’t a hit.
“It just gives you a lot of exposure,” Bradley said. “My nerves kind of went away after the first few innings. It was a good experience.
“They played me at shortstop, second and third. I got to show them how strong my arm is, and I got a double (at the plate). Pitchers are a lot faster here than what we faced in the regular season. It’s a lot of good competition.”
One of those in attendance to see Bradley play was Piedmont baseball coach James Blanchard. Blanchard said Bradley “did real well.”
“I’m real proud of Cade,” Blanchard said “He’s worked hard, and all this exposure he’s getting he deserves. They’re getting to see the real Cade Bradley, and that’s what makes me happy.”
Bradley said a few scouts have inquired about his talent, mostly at the junior college level. He said Snead State and Calhoun Community College have been in contact with him the most. According to Blanchard, Snead has already offered Bradley a scholarship.
In 39 games for the Bulldogs last season, Bradley had 51 hits in 123 at-bats. He batted .415 with 13 doubles, six home runs and a triple with 41 runs and 27 RBIs.
Bradley also stole 16 bases in 17 attempts and had nine walks with only seven strikeouts. On the mound, he went 9-3 with 70 strikeouts and a 2.65 ERA.
Out of the positions Bradley plays, Blanchard feels the infield is where Bradley’s future lies in college.
“I think they’d use him at short or second, maybe even third,” Blanchard said. “He’s got as good an arm as any college player I’ve seen at shortstop, and he’s got some power.
“This is big for Cade, to go down there and help our program, getting our kids out there. They’re (scouts) starting to hear about Piedmont baseball, and they’re wanting to come see our players now. We’ve got some more good players coming up, and they said they’d be coming to see us.”
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