Arizona Diamondbacks: Archie Bradley’s ready for any role

By Mark Brown |

With two innings on Friday, Archie Bradley of the Arizona Diamondbacks was stretched out in a potential role as long reliever. (Norm Hall / Getty Images)

Pitcher Archie Bradley of the Arizona Diamondbacks could fill one of three roles this season. Yet, expect to see him as Arizona’s set-up reliever.

Right-hander Archie Bradley of the Arizona Diamondbacks appears to be a Minister without Portfolio. While accommodating to the moment, Bradley is ready to step into any role which manager Torey Lovullo has mapped.

A starter when signed as the Diamondbacks’ second pick in the first round of the 2011 draft, Bradley remade himself last season into perhaps the most dominant setup reliever in the game. Appearing in 63 games out of the bullpen, Bradley recorded a 1.73 ERA, and that set a franchise record for the lowest ERA among a reliever.

With the closer job not determined and Bradley’s name thrown into the mix, the native of Muskogee, Okla. could assume still a third role coming out of the bullpen. The first suggestion of this position was evidenced Friday afternoon during a 7-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals in Surprise Stadium.

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Earlier this spring, Lovullo suggested Bradley while expressing a desire to start again eventually (he had 34 starts in his first 34 major league appearances until last season), will be stretched out. With long reliever Randall Delgado coming off right elbow inflammation and yet to appear in a spring game, Lovullo’s experiment of Bradley as a potential long reliever was in full view.

After shutting down the Royals on no runs and two hits during his two innings of work Friday, Bradley told Call to the Pen, that to the pundits’ chagrin, his role is yet to be defined.

“I know everyone wants an answer on what’s going to happen and how the back end of the bullpen will shape up,” he said. “We really have numerous guys who can fill spots. They want to make sure everyone is ready and I’m in the same program.”

On Friday, Bradley displayed why he could be effective as a long reliever. In dominating two innings, his fastball reached in the upper 90s, and his breaking pitch keeps Royals hitters guessing. After retiring the side in order in his first inning, a pair of hits put runners on first and second with one out. Here, Bradley reached back and blew Ryan O’Hearn away with a 97-per hour fastball and then induced Alcides Escobar to pop weakly to second to end the inning.

Still, Bradley’s value would appear to be as the set-up reliever. While Yoshihisa Hirano and Brad Boxberger are penciled as contending for the closer job, Bradley, here as well, discount that role. Instead, he reminds Call to the Pen that his responsibility remains Lovullo’s call.

“The role is up in the air and there’s a lot that has to play out,” he said. “Guys have to stay healthy and guys have to come in and throw the ball well. By the last week, we’ll be able to slide stuff in place and set up how we will pitch for the season.”

While there may be a clamor for Bradley to put out the fire in the ninth inning, he tells Call to the Pen the goal is more complete. This involves his teammates and a reflection of the venture into post-season play a year ago.

“I just want to win,” he said. “I found so much fun and success in my role last year. That kind of taught me that whatever situation there is, just roll with it. I don’t need the title ‘save’ to accomplish anything. I just want to win ball games.”

On the diamond …

Lefty Robbie Ray rebounded from a challenging start last Saturday and turned in three-plus quality innings. In tossing 55 pitches, Ray threw 29 for strikes and when missing the first pitch, tended to get behind hitters.

In his 3.1 innings, Ray allowed two hits, one run, walked two and fanned six hitters in the 7-2 victory. He was touched for a solo homer off the bat of centerfielder Paulo Orlando in the fourth.

Catcher Chris Herrmann led the attack with a 2-for-3 afternoon, including a pair of extra-base hits. He doubled in the second and homered in the fourth.

The win pushed the Diamondbacks over the .500 mark to a spring record of 8-7.

Next: Diamondbacks 2018 Season Preview

The Diamondbacks continue their spring slate with the second of a home-and-home set with the Royals on Saturday This time; the game is scheduled for Salt River.

Righthander Taijuan Walker (1-0, 2.25 ERA in spring starts) will face righty Jason Hammel (1-0, 0.00). For Sunday, the Diamondbacks travel across the Phoenix metro area for a date with the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch.

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