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Arizona Diamondbacks: Projecting Archie Bradley 4.0

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HOUSTON - APRIL10: Outfielder Craig Biggio #7 of the Houston Astros runs during the game against the Cincinnati Reds on April 10, 2005 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Reds 5-2. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
HOUSTON - APRIL10: Outfielder Craig Biggio #7 of the Houston Astros runs during the game against the Cincinnati Reds on April 10, 2005 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Reds 5-2. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Arizona Diamondbacks
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.

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