UPDATED — Former Gamecock to Swing for the Fences on Baseball’s Opening Day

Former Gamecock Standout Jackie Bradley, Jr. Signs a Ball for a Young Fan at the Greenville Drive’s Annual Hot Stove Event.

When the Red Sox and Yankees face off in the Bronx for baseball’s first game of the season, South Carolinians should look closely at a familiar face in left field.

The Boston Red Sox announced that former Gamecock standout and Greenville Drive alum Jackie Bradley, Jr. made the opening day roster and will start against the Yankees — jumping straight to the major leagues from the Red Sox AA affiliate Portland (ME) Sea Dogs after a strong Spring Training performance where he batted .419.

Manager John Farrell said that the Red Sox organization expected to give Bradley more time in the minor leagues to get additional experience, but his batting kept moving him through the club’s ranks.

“I don’t want to say he’s unflappable, but at the same time he’s got a very consistent approach. He really focuses on the things that he can control. I know these are somewhat cliché, but this is a young guy that seems very polished at a very early stage of his pro career, and because of what we know about the individual, it gives us a lot of confidence and comfort to put him in the position,” Farrell said.

Jackie Bradley Jr. Ready for Opening Day Announcements in His First Game as a Red Sox Starter. PHOTO CREDIT: Boston Red Sox

According to Farrell, the Red Sox initial plan is to get Bradley as much playing time as they can and then reevaluate when left-handed hitters Stephen Drew and David Ortiz are ready to return from the injuries that helped Bradley get his Opening Day spot.

“I think it really hasn’t hit me yet,” Bradley said. “Until my name is called, and then I’m pretty sure I’ll probably go numb a little bit. It’s great. It’s an honor, and I can’t wait.”

First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. today (EDT) at Yankee Stadium, and the game will be televised on ESPN.

The Palmetto State’s version of the matchup will take place Thursday night (April 4) at 7:05 p.m. (EDT) as the Charleston RiverDogs (Class A Affiliate of the Yankees) visit Fluor Field in Greenville to take on the Greenville Drive (Class A Affiliate of the Red Sox).

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A Advanced Affiliate of the Texas Rangers) will open at home at 7:05 p.m. (EDT) on April 4, as well.

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POSTGAME UPDATE: Bradley’s first regular season outing in a Red Sox uniform was a success by any measure.

Although he was hitless in each of his at-bats, he reached base 3 times (on walks), scored 2 runs, and had his first career RBI when he hit a shot to bring in fellow Greenville Drive alum, Will Middlebrooks.

Capping Bradley’s first game in Boston’s 8-2 win over the Yankees, ESPN named him “Player of the Game.”