Archie Bradley to open 2015 season in Arizona Diamondbacks’ starting rotation
Apr 3, 2015, 9:26 PM | Updated: Apr 4, 2015, 1:49 am
With the trade of Trevor Cahill to the Atlanta Braves, a spot in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ starting rotation opened up.
It’s been filled. The top prospect will finally get his shot.
Tony La Russa announces to the media that @ArchieBradley7 is in the #Dbacks rotation.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 3, 2015
The seventh overall selection in the 2011 MLB Draft, Bradley was outstanding this spring. He allowed just six runs — four earned — in 22.1 innings, while posting a 1.61 ERA. He struck out 14 and walked six.
“It’s been a dream come true,” said Bradley of being named to the D-backs starting pitching rotation. “Obviously still a lot of work left to do, but just to make the team is incredible.
“Coming in, I kind of felt like I was on the outside looking in, which I was okay with. I struggled last year and didn’t have a very good year, so I came in with a chip on my shoulder and still have it. It was just extra motivation and I wanted to prove that I was ready to pitch here, and I feel like I did that for the most part in spring. Now it’s all about continuing to work and continuing to improve.”
Once viewed as possibly the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, struggles with injuries and control last year led ESPN.com’s Keith Law to rate him as the 22nd-best prospect in all of baseball going into this year.
Bradley admits that last season’s injury setbacks and poor outings created some doubt in his mind about his place in the organization’s plans, but says he used that to fuel a bit of comeback heading in to the spring.
“That was the first time doubt has really ever gotten in to my head,” he said. “I think that kind of contributed to some of my problems last year because that was the first time I didn’t believe in myself and who I am.
“That’s one thing I got back to — understanding who Archie Bradley is and what my strengths are and what my weaknesses are. I really addressed that and I got that swagger and that confidence and just who I am back.”
In four seasons at various minor league levels, Bradley has posted a 29-18 record with a 3.14 ERA.
