Former USC star Jackie Bradley Jr. is The State’s Pro Athlete of the Year

Jackie Bradley Jr. bounced back and forth between Boston and minor-league Pawtucket four times by late July this past season – his third in professional baseball.

But one month – one week, really – changed everything.

His performance in August gave him a place in the Red Sox’ long-term plans as an everyday player. He’s projected as Boston’s starting center fielder for the 2016 season.

Bradley Jr. hit .354 during the month of August with five home runs and 23 RBIs. His defense, which has never been questioned, was spectacular. He made regular appearances on SportsCenter for his highlight-reel catches and throws.

For his performance, Bradley Jr. is The State’s Pro Athlete of the Year.

Bradley Jr. hit under .200 his first two years in the majors. His former coach and current USC athletics director Ray Tanner said through the struggles his first two years in the majors and early in 2015, Bradley Jr. never questioned whether he could be a successful MLB player.

“I would text him quite often and check in with him, and then occasionally I would call and talk to him, especially when I thought there might be a time where he would be down a little bit. But he never wavered,” Tanner said. “Even when he was struggling offensively, I’d say, ‘Hang in there,’ and he’d say, ‘I’m going to get it. I’m fine. I’ll be all right.’ He wasn’t just using those words, that’s what he believed. He believes he’s a good player. He thought he could work through it and I think he’s proven that he could.”

Reports this offseason stated that several teams, including the Royal and Cubs, asked about trading for the outfielder, but the Red Sox made it known that he is not available.

Red Sox manager John Farrell told WEEI Radio in Boston last month that the Red Sox are planning to use Bradley Jr. as an everyday center fielder in 2016.

“I think if you were to just prioritize the defense, Jackie is the best defensive outfielder we have. That’s clear. Whether it’s the naked eye, or whether it’s to any kind of measurement you want to put to it, Jackie is the best defender we have,” Farrell said. “So you could say an alignment would have Jackie in center, Mookie (Betts) in right and Rusney (Castillo) in left. Who else we add to the outfielder core to give us some balance coming off the bench remains to be seen.”

Farrell added that defense was never an issue for Bradley Jr., it was just a matter of hitting well enough to be in the lineup every day.

“The one thing that Jackie did, particularly in August, is that he swung the bat like we were hopeful of,” he said. “It was an outstanding month, and I think the key for Jackie is to hit enough to be an everyday player and be the everyday center fielder.”

Bradley Jr. told The State in August that he felt like if he could put together a few good days at the plate it would get him going.

During a five-game stretch from August 9-15 he hit .591 with three home runs, two triples, four doubles and 13 RBIs.

“A lot of the veterans always say even when you’re going through tough times you’re only one good week away,” he said. “One great week puts you back in a spot that you probably wanted to be in. You just keep thinking that all you want to have is one good week. One good week and eventually you’ll put together some quality games.”

Bradley Jr. finished the season hitting .249 with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs in 74 games. He had 163 less at bats in 2015 than 2014, but hit nine more home runs and finished with 13 more RBIs.

Tanner said Bradley Jr. is at his best when he is using all sides of the field. He believes Bradley Jr. got back to that late last year.

“I saw a home run he hit late in the year up over the green monster from the left side. I remember seeing him shoot balls that way like he did when he was younger, so that’s what he’s got to do,” Tanner said. “He’s got to use the whole field, and most great hitters that put up numbers, they use the whole field. I think that’s a strength of his, and if he does that consistently he’ll walk and have a good on-base percentage and he’ll be a consistent hitter.”

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 3:04 PM.