Diamondbacks’ Archie Bradley excited to pitch in Australia

Through two spring training starts, Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Archie Bradley has been as good as advertised.

And maybe even better.

The right-hander has allowed three hits in 6.1 innings, striking out nine and walking four. He may not have done enough to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he will be making the trip to Australia with the team to pitch in an exhibition game on March 21.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am for that,” Bradley told the Arizona Diamondbacks television broadcast on Fox Sports Arizona Sunday. “I just wanted to come into spring and learn, absorb as much information as I can, and just compete, see where I can end up this spring.

“I don’t know when they decided this, but I feel like with what I’ve done here in camp and with what I’ve shown them, you know, they’re giving me a chance to prove something and I’m going to take it head on. I’m excited and I think it’s going to be a really fun time over there.”

Of course, the end game for Bradley isn’t pitching a meaningless game in a foreign country. No, he is supposed to be the team’s ace of the future, a pitcher who will lead the rotation and team into the postseason.

And as far as his elevation to the big leagues, it seems to be a matter of when, not if. There’s no rush from Bradley’s end, though.

“I feel very good with where I’m at this spring and with where my arm is and where everything’s going,” he said. “I’m just having fun and learning a lot.”

Follow @theAdamGreen