Arizona Diamondbacks: Projecting Archie Bradley 4.0

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PHOENIX, AZ – JUNE 18: Archie Bradley, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ first pick in this year’s draft, poses for a photo with Joe Garagiola Sr. during batting practice prior to a game against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field on June 18, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Archie Bradley 1.0

Bradley the prospect really was tantalizing. So much so that the Diamondbacks had no problem taking him seventh overall in 2011 and secured his baseball future with a whopping $5MM signing bonus.

His fastball was especially potent, ranked as the best heater in the Diamondbacks system three years running from 2011-2013. He pretty well dominated the Midwest League as a 19-year-old, at least when he stayed out of his own way.

With 10.1 K/9 in 27 starts, Baseball America named Bradley’s heater the best in the Midwest League – his curveball took home top earners as well. Like many fireballers, however, he struggled with his command: 5.6 BB/9 with 12 hit batsman and 17 wild pitches in 137 innings.

Still, Bradley’s star was definitively on the rise, and he was as safe a bet to reach acedom as any prospect in the gaem. Of course, it’s rarely that simple.