|
Brad Wilkerson's athletic ability was evident early, as he was the dominant soccer player for his age group in Owensboro, KY. By the time Brad attended Apollo High School, he was receiving state-wide recognition not only for baseball and soccer, but also basketball and even as the kicker on the football team.
But it was baseball that Brad truly loved, and it was this sport that he ultimately chose to pursue more than all the other sports. As an 8th grader, Brad established himself as one of Apollo High School's top pitchers, culminating in a shutout win over arch-rival Owensboro Catholic in the ditrict playoffs. Brad became the dominant player in Kentucky by his junior year, and he capped his senior season with three straight no-hitters in the high school playoffs and the award of Mr.Baseball.
At the University of Florida, Brad made an immediate and dramatic impact. His Gators went to the College World Series, where Brad hit a dramatic grand slam to beat state rival Florida State. The Gators made a return trip to the CWS two years later in Brad's junior year. As a junior, he became the first player in college history to hit 20 home runs, steal 20 bases, and win 10 games as a pitcher in the same year. Brad was named the College Player of the Year by Rotary Smith.
Brad struggled early on in the minor leagues adjusting to the higher level of competition, but in 2000, he took off. By midseason, he was already threatening the AA Eastern League record for doubles in a season, but was promoted to AAA before he could break it. Later that season, Brad was named to the 2000 Olympic Baseball Team to play in Sydney, Australia. Brad played center field on a team full of future major leaguers. In one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history, Team USA defeated mighty Cuba 4-0 in the Gold Medal Game.
Brad made his major league debut in August 2001. He recorded his first major league hit off Greg Maddux and his first major league home run off Jason Marquis. In 2002 Brad hit 20 home runs, an Expos rookie record and was named Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News. Last year, Brad set career highs in home runs, RBI, runs scored, walks, doubles, and at bats playing all three outfield positions and significant time at first base.
In 2005, the Expos re-located to Washington D.C, and became the Washington Nationals. The Nationals came out firing on all cylinders and led the National League East at the All-Star Break, but the team struggled in the 2nd half and fell out of contention by September. Brad hit a career high in doubles with 42, but his home run totals fell to a career low 11 in the pitching-friendly RFK Stadium.
After the 2005 season, Brad was traded to the Texas Rangers along with 2 others for Alfonso Soriano. As 2006 unfolded, Brad struggled as an unhealthy shoulder betrayed him. Finally, Brad was placed on the disabled list and had season-ending shoulder surgery.
2007 was also marked by injuries. This time a fluke hamstring injury forced him to the DL for a month. On July 3rd, Brad had a career-high 3 home runs in a agme against the Los Angeles Angels. He finished the year with 20 homers in just 338 at bats.
In 2008, Brad began the season with the Seattle Mariners. Just one month into the season (and immediately after a 3-for-3 night in Cleveland) Seattle designated him for assignment, and Brad became a free agent. Brad signed to play the rest of the year with the Toronto Blue Jays. Brad finished the year with career lows in most offense categories as a bothersome shoulder affected his play.
For the 2009 season, Brad has signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox in hopes of making the team out of Spring Training.
|