The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded starting pitcher Trevor Cahill to the Atlanta Braves, and opened up a spot for major prospect Archie Bradley to begin the season in the starting rotation. According to reports, that's exactly what happened.
I'm told that the Cahill trade does, as expected, open a spot in Dbacks rotation for top prospect Archie Bradley.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) April 3, 2015
The 22-year-old Bradley struggled mightily in 2014, pitching to a 5.18 ERA in 24.1 innings at Triple-A, and a 4.12 ERA in Double-A over 54.1 innings. During that time Bradley never showed an inability to strike out hitters, but his control was all over the place. Bradley walked 5.93 batters per nine in his time at Double-A.
This spring Bradley has turned things around, hurling 22.1 innings and posting a 1.61 ERA and 14 strikeouts. He still walked six, but showed more ability to limit damage.
Bradley comes with great pedigree; in 2011 he was taken seventh overall by the Diamondbacks and until this season was Arizona's No. 1 prospect in the organization. He steps on the mound armed with a big-time fastball and a killer curveball, although he still has work to do on his command.
Bradley earning a rotation spot out of spring training is big news, but moreso for keeper leaguers. Bradley could wind up as a nice source of strikeouts for owners, but his walk rate is going to hurt his WHIP, and his ballpark is going to cost him in terms of home runs.
Fantasy owners counting on a big season from Bradley are likely to be disappointed. Instead, he should be treated as a high-upside flier in redraft leagues, and someone to monitor by start-at least early on-in keepers leagues.
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