Scouting Diamondbacks Prospect Archie Bradley

(Charlie Leight/The Arizona Republic)

By Jared Thatcher | @Jared_Thatcher

With so many 19 and 20 year old players making their Major League debut in 2012 (Harper, Bundy, Machado, Profar), I wanted to do some in-depth analysis of a few players who may make their debuts at a very young age in 2013.

It takes a whole lot to be a first round draft pick, and it takes even more to live up to that hype. Many players who are drafted in the first round often snap, crackle, and pop in rookie ball, then fizzle out in the upper minor leagues.

A team’s top prospects are usually the guys who have the “highest ceiling” – or the most “upside” – but rarely does upside AND performance cross paths. In the words of the Ghostbusters, when you cross the streams it could destroy everything OR a dynamic All-Star caliber baseball player is created.

Archie Bradley will be the focus of this report because he has a serious shot to break into the Diamondbacks rotation in 2013. Bradley was drafted 7th overall in the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft – the Dbacks took Trevor Bauer at number 3 – and signed for a $5 million bonus.

He only pitched two innings in 2011 for Missoula in the Pioneer league and allowed one hit. 2012 saw Bradley begin and end the year at South Bend where he went 12-6 with a 3.84 ERA and 152 Ks in 136 IP.

Now let’s break down this prospect in true scouting form.

Windup

Hands begin high around his face, and separate just a bit lower around his chest/neck. There is nothing complicated about his windup, but there is also no deception. The ball comes out almost at the same height as where his hands start so it is easy for a batter to keep his eyes in one place.

Arm

Has a high ¾ delivery for most of his pitches but tends to drop down to a lower ¾ angle when throwing a two-seam fastball. This might tip off hitters as to what pitch is coming if he isn’t careful. Action is very loose and easy. Easily repeatable and does not look like it overly strains the elbow.

Strengths

Fastball sits 92-93 but can be dialed up to 95-96 regularly. Two-seamer has boring power into a RHH. Curveball is a plus, plus offering, very sharp and has two-plane break at 80-82. Good control of fastball on both sides of the plate. Large athletic frame with good flexibility

Weaknesses

Change-up is still in the works and is a below average offering. Has bouts of trouble with control and walks 5.6 BB/9. Trouble with control may be due to lanky body and arm.

Summary

Bradley has an easy and repeatable delivery that should allow him to be a workhouse. He does not hide the ball or get as much deception and sometimes may tip off his pitches with a different arm angle. He finished his pitches over his stride knee and has very good balance. Live-arm and body combined with good work ethic and instincts should allow him to become a ML front-line starter.

Grades

Fastball: 60/70

Curveball: 60/70

Changeup: 30/50

Control: 40/60