Phillies: Top 3 reasons to get excited about Archie Bradley
Former Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley (Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports)
2. Archie Bradley has closing experience
As we all know, the Phillies bullpen has needed help and possibly had arguably one of the worst bullpens in the 2020 season. There have been guys in the closer roles who should maybe have been in the set-up man roles, like Hector Neris, or even just used in earlier innings. Taking pressure off of them to perform in a closing role could make a big difference.
Adding Archie Bradley into the bullpen definitely has the potential of positively affecting the rest of the bullpen in that they could be taken out of closing considerations, at least most of the time.
Having a legitimate closer in a bullpen can literally be a game-changer. Certain pitchers are just made for that role and with Archie’s talent, he’s certainly become one of them.
Bradley began his career as a starter but has since moved into the bullpen, most recently in the role of closer. In 2017, Archie became a reliever in the Diamondbacks bullpen, huge beard and all. He pitched in 63 games that season, had a record of 3-3 and an ERA 1.73, recording 1 save. He even became the first relief pitcher to hit a triple in Major League Baseball postseason history.
https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/t_16x9/mlb/de2tblyx2npudiqz6o4w.mp4Becoming the set-up man in 2018, that season he went 4-5 over 76 games, had an ERA of 3.64 and recorded 3 saves.
Beginning the 2019 season, Bradley continued in the set-up man role before becoming the closer by the middle of the season. He went 4-5 over 66 games, had an ERA of 3.52 and recorded 18 saves. In August 2020, Archie was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Before joining the Reds, Bradley was 1-0 with a 4.22 ERA over 10 games, with 6 saves. After joining the Reds, he went 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA over 6 games, with no recorded saves.
He is undoubtedly a huge upgrade to the bullpen.
Archie Bradley, formerly of the Arizona Diamondbacks (Photo by Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks/Getty Images)
1. Archie Bradley is an overall huge upgrade to the Phillies bullpen.
Throughout Archie Bradley‘s Major League career thus far, he has a record of 23-25, an ERA of 3.91, he has pitched in 255 games over 412 innings, he has struck out 425 batters and recorded 28 saves.
His numbers have been consistent throughout the years and he’s proven that he is a solid pitcher, let alone a great closer. He is a huge upgrade to really any bullpen and the Phillies got him for a great price.
Coming off of an awesome 2020 season, with a combined ERA of 2.95 over both Major League teams he played for, Archie is going to be a welcome addition to a struggling Phillies bullpen.
Hector Neris, Jose Alvarado and Bradley are now the most capable veterans among the arms in the bullpen at this point. It seems that with Archie’s experience, though it remains to be seen, it wouldn’t be surprising if he were to become manager Joe Girardi‘s go-to out of the bullpen for the 2021 season.
Since he does have high numbers for striking out batters, something that is a necessity for the Phillies, he currently would be the best option for the Phillies closer role. It is still not clear if he will be used as a closer, but as I mentioned before, he does have the needed experience and skill for that role and would be a great fit for it.
Bradley may be exactly what the Phils need to ignite their bullpen for this coming season. We will just have to wait and see!
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