Arizona Diamondbacks: What does the future hold for Archie Bradley?

One of the major decisions coming up in spring training for the Arizona Diamondbacks is whether Archie Bradley remains in the bullpen.

After team officials figure out how to juggle economics, sign important players and generally get the Arizona Diamondbacks in place over the winter, a significant resolution lies afterward.

However the decision is reached, this could have a domino effect throughout the structure of the team, and how Torey Lovullo will manage the 2018 season, at least at the start.

While club officials would not call this important decision “a dilemma,” there is little question that the future of right-hander Archie Bradley remains front and center in general manager Mike Hazen’s and Lovullo’s thinking.

For the 2017 season, Bradley came out of nowhere and emerged as perhaps the most dominant setup reliever in the majors. Appearing in 63 games, the native of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma recorded 25 holds and posted a 1.73 ERA. His 79 strikeouts in 73 innings brought the Chase Field faithful continually to their feet, and a highly-charged, emotional, passionate and demonstrative personality invigorated his teammates.

After the Diamondbacks were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, Bradley told Call to the Pen he clearly embraced the responsibility. At the same time, Bradley has an eye on the future.

"“I was energized by the role,” he said in reference to being the setup reliever. “Sure, I’d still like to start and feel motivated. Look, I have the offseason to think about this and speak with Torey. I love Torey as a manager and want to play for him.”"

All of which was never on Lovullo’s spring training radar screen.

Coming into camp, there was no question Bradley was on the bubble for a slot in the rotation. At that time, Lovullo penciled in Zack Greinke, Shelby Miller, Robbie Ray and Taijuan Walker as starters, and those four were pretty much set in stone. The final spot in the rotation came down to Patrick Corbin, Zack Godley, Braden Shipley or Bradley.

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By the end of training camp, Lovullo pushed Corbin into the rotation but embraced Bradley’s physical and emotional makeup. While Hazen and other decision-makers settled on Fernando Rodney as their closer, Bradley was moved in front of the veteran Rodney and told to let loose.

No longer a starter, Bradley had no need to conserve energy and began to hit the radar gun consistently in the mid-to-upper 90s. On a few occasions, he broke the 100 MPH barrier and gradually worked himself into one of the most forceful setup relievers in the game.

While Hazen has the luxury of a few months before the commencement of spring training to think about an ultimate destination, the specter of Bradley and his role remains paramount. Plus, there’s the future of Rodney, the Diamondbacks’ closer.

After a shaky April, the 40-year-old Rodney recorded 39 saves and was tied for third-most in the majors behind Kenley Jensen (41), Greg Holland (41) and Craig Kimbrel (39). After the season, Hazen told Call to the Pen there’s no commitment to Rodney for the upcoming season right now, but left open the possibility to bring him back.

Depending on what happens with Rodney, that could force the Diamondbacks into a fresh and creative look at Bradley.

Next, an All-Star Game

The Arizona Fall League, considered the graduate school for major league prospects, holds its All-Star Game this Saturday at Salt River Fields, the spring home of the Diamondbacks.

On the East roster, the Diamondbacks have one representative, and that’s Kirby Bellow, a left-handed pitcher. Out of the University of Texas, Bellow was selected on the 26^th round of the 2015 draft.

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Completing the season for Double-A Jackson this past season, Bellow is currently 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in seven appearances for the Salt River Rafters of the Fall League through this past Monday.

Combined with the Diamondbacks’ rookie team in the Arizona Rookie League, Advanced-A Visalia and Jackson in 2017, Bellow went 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 28 appearances. Strictly a reliever, Bellow has no starts in 75 lifetime appearances at the minor league level.