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Bradford named NJCAA, Perfect Game and ABCA/Rawlings D-I Baseball Player of the Year

Promotional baseball graphic featuring a player in a white jersey and navy helmet holding a bat mid-swing, set against a split blue and white background with a dotted pattern. On the left, large text reads “RYAN BRADFORD” beside a yellow-and-blue “JC” logo. On the right, the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) logo appears above bold text reading “2026 NJCAA D-I BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR.” The player wears black batting gloves and elbow protection, with a team logo patch visible on the sleeve.
Posted: Jun 22, 2026

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -  One week after being selected NJCAA All-America first-team, Johnson County Community College freshman outfielder Ryan Bradford has been named the 2026 NJCAA   Perfect Game and ABCA/Rawlings Division I Baseball Player of the Year.

Bradford produced a historic season, hitting an NJCAA record 42 home runs while becoming one of only five players in college baseball history to hit 40+ home runs in a single season. He batted .437 (114-for-261) with 24 doubles, six triples, 72 extra base hits, 128 runs scored and 113 driven in.  He produced 27 multiple-hit games and 29 multiple-RBI games.

His 38th home run may have been the biggest swing of the season. With JCCC down to its final at bat, Bradford launched a walk-off grand slam to complete an 11-9 comeback victory over Barton to keep JCCC alive in the Region 6/Plains District Tournament.

"Ryan was the guy who got one of the best offenses in baseball history going," said JCCC head coach Eric Horner in a release by the NJCAA. "Player of the Year is earned through relentless work, consistency and leadership. Ryan not only had all those characteristics but had a historic season and he helped lead JCCC to a national championship, making Player of the Year a fitting finish to an incredible journey. He will not only go down as one the best players in JUCO history but also one of the best individuals."

Bradford helped the Cavaliers to a perfect 32-0 conference championship season, a program-record 41-game winning streak, a Region 6/District title and the first JUCO World Series National Championship in program history, finishing with a remarkable 67-3 overall record. 

Bradford led the NJCAA in home runs, runs scored and extra base hits, as well as second in slugging percentage and RBI and third in hits. He set team records for longest hitting streak at 31 games, most consecutive games with an RBI at 28 games, runs scored and most multiple-home runs games with nine.  His 113 RBI tied the program record.

Bradford has committed to continuing his baseball career at Texas Christian University.

2025-26 Accomplishments
   • 2026 NJCAA, Perfect Game  & ABCA/Rawlings D-I Baseball Player of the Year
   • 2026 NJCAA D-I & ABCA/Rawlings Baseball All-Americs first-team
   • 2026 Two-time NJCAA D-I National Baseball Player of the Week
   • 2026 All-Region 6 first-team
   • 2026 All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference East Division first-team
   • 2026 KJCCC East Division Freshman of the Year
   • 2026 Five-time KJCCC East Division Baseball Player of the Week
   • 2026 JCCC Student-Athlete Academic Award recipient