Diamondbacks’ Arizona Fall League Participant: Archie Bradley

Archie Bradley will be heading to the Arizona Fall League. Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Fall League begins play on October 7th with six teams comprised of various prospects from all organizations in Major League Baseball. The Arizona Diamondbacks will be sending seven players assigned to the Salt River Rafters. We will spotlight one prospect per day up until play begins. Today’s player is pitcher Archie Bradley.

Background: He was taken as the 7th overall pick by the D’backs in the 2011 Draft out of Broken Arrow High School in Oklahoma. Bradley throws right-handed and is 6’4 and 235 pounds. In high school, he was a teammate of fellow Top 5 pick and Orioles prospect Dylan Bundy. Went 12-1 with a 0.29 ERA, striking out 137 and walking 11 in 71 2/3 innings as a Senior.

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Minor League career: Went 12-6 with a 3.84 ERA as a 19-year old at Class A South Bend. Vaulted to the top of several prospect lists with a dominant 2013 season at High Class A Visalia and Double A Mobile. Bradley went 14-5 with a 1.84 ERA in 26 starts. In 152 innings, he allowed 115 hits and 69 walks while striking out 162. After nearly making the D’backs out of Spring Training, he endured an uneven 2014 season. Had a 5.18 ERA in five starts at Triple A Reno before being diagnosed with a strained flexor tendon in his pitching arm. Made 12 starts at Mobile to the tune of a 4.12 ERA. Control became an issue with 49 walks in 83 innings.

Outlook: Bradley is still regarded as the Snakes’ #1 prospect. However, until he can bring down his walks, he won’t be able to crack the Major League rotation. The D’back rotation is short on innings pitched and having a guy there who walks a ton of people is a detriment. Someone like Aaron Blair may be in Arizona before Bradley. Still, there is a reason why he is number one. Bradley has a mid-to-high 90’s fastball and sharp curve that has scouts projecting him to be a staff ace. Once he gets to Arizona, he will be there to stay.