D-backs prospect Archie Bradley impresses in second start of season
Apr 12, 2014, 4:58 AM | Updated: 4:58 am
The Arizona Diamondbacks starting rotation has been a weak link during the team’s slow start, but help may soon be on the way.
Top prospect Archie Bradley went seven innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out five on Friday for the Triple-A Reno Aces in his second start of the season. Bradley had an up-and-down spring, but was dominant at times for the D-backs.
Bradley retired the first nine hitters he faced on Friday, though he ultimately was tagged with a loss as the Aces’ offense went dormant facing the El Paso Chihuahuas in Tucson.
Bradley will likely remain in Triple-A until the end of April at the earliest, when his arbitration eligibility will be delayed by a full season — meaning he would be under team control for an additional year over if he were promoted now.
Bradley earned a win in his Triple-A debut earlier this week, allowing four hits and striking out three over five shutout innings. He has a 1.50 ERA over his first two starts with a WHIP of 0.66.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder was a first-round pick of the D-backs in the 2011 draft. The 21-year-old signed with the D-backs rather than taking a football scholarship to play quarterback at the University of Oklahoma.