Bradley Thrilled About A Future At Missouri State

Sean Bradley C / 1B / Neil McNeil, ON / 2025

TORONTO - Similarities with the head coach helped drive Sean Bradley to a college commitment with Missouri State.

“He’s a Canadian and he’s been through it,” the Neil McNeil High School senior said of Joey Hawkins, the new mentor of a baseball program that will be joining Conference USA in 2025. “He came up the same path as me.”

A connection was made leading up to an offer and commitment by the fourth-rated senior catcher in Ontario.

“They first saw me on our Tigers summer trip,” Bradley reflected. “Then Coach Hawkins was there watching me at the Future Games and he liked me. I went on a visit and thought it was the best option for me.”

That trip to Missouri State came in late September.

“I really liked the culture, and the coaches are great,” the 17-year-old related. “I was deciding between a few schools but the opportunity to go there worked out perfectly for me. It’s a great school with a great college town. That’s what drove me there.”

The ability of Bradley behind the plate was a deciding factor for Missouri State.

“They really like how I catch,” Bradley noted. “When he first saw me in the summer I wasn’t really hitting well, and he said ‘can you catch?’ He ended up really liking how I caught.”

The idea of playing at the next level began about five years ago according to Bradley.

“When I was 12 or 13 I realized there were older people I knew that were going to play college baseball,” Bradley explained. “That’s when I saw it was possible to play at the highest level. That’s when it hit me.”

But the recruiting process was not the easiest.

“Last year I was kind of an unknown,” Bradley related. “But this year I got noticed and was invited to all the big events, like the (Senior) Future Games. That put me on the map.

“Prep Baseball really helped me with the social media stuff and getting my name out there, plus there’s nothing like the Future Games,” Bradley added. “There are so many coaches there and all eyes are on you. That definitely helped a lot.”

Working to improve his game also proved beneficial for the 27th-rated 2025 in Ontario.

“I just try to put in the work to get one percent better everyday,” Bradley explained. “I stretch 20 to 30 minutes a day, that makes my body feel right. Just keep working your process and everything will come to you.

“It all helped a lot. Being in the facilities six or seven times a week working on defensive stuff, and getting in the weight room, it all helped a ton with getting faster and stronger.”

There was also a matter of understanding the game better.

“When you learn the game you can compete at a higher level,” Bradley said.

The 6-2 205-pounder was quick to credit family, teammates and coaches “for being there along the way” in his baseball journey to Missouri State.

“I’m excited, but there’s still work to be done to go play at a high level,” Bradley noted. “I’m trying to get prepared as much as possible so I can make an impact as a freshman.”

Uncertain about a major, the 3.6 student in high school has high anticipation when thinking about a future at the university in Springfield, Mo., nearly 15 hours from home.

“I’m looking forward to all of it,” Bradley concluded. “I get both worlds. I get to play a sport at a high level, train with better players and get the college experience as well. I’m excited for all of it.”