Vanderbilt is known for producing high quality pitching, but they’ve also produced their fair share of great hitters. Outfielder J.J. Belday is no exception.
After being drafted in the 39th round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres, Bleday hit .256 for Vanderbilt in 2017 over 164 at-bats with 23 runs scored, 8 doubles, 2 home runs, 22 RBI, and a .384 on-base percentage.
That summer he hit .232 in the New England Collegiate League over 69 at-bats with 13 runs scored, 9 doubles, 2 home runs, 12 RBI, and a .376 on-base percentage.
Bleday was setup for a breakout season as a sophomore but missed significant time due to an injury. He still managed to hit .368 in 133 at-bats with 26 runs scored, 5 doubles, 4 home runs, 15 RBI, and a .494 on-base percentage.
This past summer he hit .311 in the Cape Cod Leaegue over 148 at-bats with 29 runs scored, 9 doubles, 5 home runs, 15 RBI, and a .374 on-base percentage.
The big left-hander projects as a powerful corner outfield bat with a mature appraoch at the plate.
We’ve yet to see him really tap into his power potential, but I’m thinking we see it this spring if Bleday can stay healthy.
