Scouting Update: Archie Bradley, RHP, Broken Arrow (OK) HS (2011 Draft)
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
September 17, 2010
Being a well-meaning West Coaster, I can only imagine that Oklahoma’s pride in its football statewide rivals that of that other state below them. It’s football season now, which means right-handed pitcher Archie Bradley is moonlighting as a quarterback, though that’s a bad word for it. I can’t help you break down quarterbacks, but I can break down right-handed pitching.
I think the first thing you would notice about Bradley, even before you got around to discussing his arm strength and arm action, is how balanced, coordinated and how well he landed for a big guy with a lot of whippy action. That tells me that there is athleticism, which I very much like in my right-handers. Velocity wise, Bradley is just fine, a guy who can play catch at 92-94 and shows me signs of projection and pitch-ability. For a kid who is big and strong and has a lot of power, I felt he did a nice job of staying within himself and not trying to choke each curveball or look over his shoulder at the gun on each fastball. You might laugh, but I assure you, I see it. Sometimes even in the big leagues.
The second weapon that Bradley has is the big curveball. You could see the start of it when I first saw him in 2009 at the Area Codes, made famous in this exclusive video. Bradley was a guy who was good enough to be signed as a junior, much less this year. The football ride is to Oklahoma, which means he won’t be easy to sign in all probability. Guys like this never are, anyhow.
There will be work to do and he will be getting stronger in the coming years. But you can’t take away the big arm and the fastball life and the great leadership qualities he shows. I like pitchers with big stuff who, in the coming years, show me the potential to not fear telling his team – come on boys, get on my shoulders, and let’s go.
Read Archie Bradley Q&A
Watch more Archie Bradley Video
Watch 2010 Archie Bradley Video
Read Archie Bradley Scouting Report
Watch 2009 Archie Bradley Video
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