Since his debut in 2015, Archie Bradley has been a consistent presence in the MLB. With his fastball reaching up to 98 mph and a diverse set of pitches at his disposal, the right-hander has made a name for himself as a reliable bullpen option.
However, the question remains: How good is Archie Bradley, and what impact has he had on his teams thus far?.
Solid Performance
In the 2021 season, Archie Bradley proved to be a solid reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies. He had several strengths as a pitcher that made him a dependable option out of the bullpen throughout the season.
One of Bradley’s most significant strengths was his ability to keep the ball in the yard. This was especially critical given the high number of home runs that the Phillies allowed last season.
Bradley gave up only two home runs over 50 innings pitched, which is an impressive feat. By contrast, many other relievers on the team struggled to keep the ball inside the park.
Another strength Bradley displayed was his ability to secure holds. In fact, Bradley’s thirteen holds ranked him second on the team behind only José Alvarado.
These are critical moments in baseball games where a reliever enters the game with their team leading or tied, and the goal is to preserve the win by keeping the other team from scoring.
Bradley’s ability to consistently deliver in these situations shows his importance to the Phillies bullpen.
Additionally, Bradley only blew three saves throughout the season. This is a particularly impressive feat when one considers how much the Phillies bullpen struggled as a whole.
Bradley was a reliable option who could be counted on to hold a lead or keep the deficit close.
Finally, Bradley’s reliability made him stand out among his peers in the Phillies bullpen. Despite injuries, he was one of the few pitchers who could be consistently relied upon to deliver solid performances.
Even though he missed significant time due to injury, he still managed to log sizable innings.
In conclusion, Archie Bradley’s performance in the 2021 season was impressive. He displayed several strengths that made him a dependable option for the Phillies bullpen, including his ability to keep the ball in the yard, secure holds, and limit-blown saves.
Additionally, his reliability even in the face of injury made him one of the more valuable members of the Phillies pitching staff.
Potential
The Impact of Bradley’s Injury on His Performance
Bradley’s injury certainly impacted his performance in the 2021 season. He missed considerable time due to an oblique strain, which sidelined him for almost a month in August.
This injury occurred right when Bradley was hitting his stride, and his absence was felt in the bullpen. Before his injury, Bradley had a 1.96 ERA and a .607 WHIP with 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
After his return, his ERA ballooned to 5.79, and his WHIP jumped to 1.616. It’s evident that Bradley struggled mightily after his injury, and it’s reasonable to infer that his injury impacted his results.
He was not as sharp or effective as he had been before the injury, which hindered his prospects of becoming the top guy in the bullpen. Furthermore, an oblique injury can be challenging to come back from, particularly for a pitcher whose success is predicated on the ability to throw with velocity and movement.
How He Could Have Been the Top Guy if He Had Stayed Healthy?
Had Bradley remained healthy, he could have become the top guy in the Phillies’ bullpen. As previously mentioned, Bradley was one of the more reliable options out of the pen, securing thirteen holds and only blowing three saves.
He kept the ball in the yard and showed excellent command of his pitches throughout the season. His injury in August derailed his momentum, but before that, he was proving to be an instrumental piece of the Phillies’ bullpen.
If Bradley had continued his dominant run, he could have overtaken Hector Neris as the go-to guy in the later innings. Bradley had the potential to be a closer, and his previous experience in the role would have served him well had he stayed on his trajectory of success.
He had an ERA of 1.64 in save situations, illustrating his ability to rise to the occasion and close out games. Additionally, Bradley’s experience and knowledge of the game would have made him an invaluable resource for the younger pitchers in the bullpen.
Overall, Bradley had the potential to be a top guy in the Phillies’ bullpen had he remained healthy, and his contributions to the team would have been even more significant.
Comparison
How Does Bradley’s Performance Compare to Other Bullpen Pitchers in the League?
When compared to other bullpen pitchers in the league, Bradley’s performance in 2021 was solid, though not quite elite. He finished the season with a 3.52 ERA, which ranked 63rd out of 142 qualified relief pitchers.
However, ERA isn’t always the best indicator of a pitcher’s effectiveness, particularly for relievers who often pitch only one or two innings at a time.
Looking at other metrics such as strikeout rate, walk rate, and WHIP can provide a better sense of a reliever’s overall performance.
In terms of strikeout rate, Bradley fared much better. He struck out 25.6% of batters faced in 2021, which ranked 34th among qualified relief pitchers.
His walk rate was also respectable, with 7.8% of batters faced walking, which ranked 55th. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was 1.12, which ranked 37th.
Overall, when considering Bradley’s performance across these different metrics, he was a solid but not outstanding reliever in 2021.
Looking at Other Statistics to Provide Context
While Bradley’s ERA, strikeout rate, walk rate, and WHIP can provide a good sense of his performance relative to other relievers, it’s also important to consider the context.
For example, Bradley pitched in the notoriously hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, which can inflate pitchers’ ERA and WHIP. Additionally, he pitched for a Phillies bullpen that was generally a weakness for the team in 2021.
Looking at some more advanced metrics can help provide additional context. For example, Bradley’s FIP (fielding independent pitching) was 2.97, which was much lower than his 3.52 ERA and suggests he may have been somewhat unlucky.
His xERA (expected ERA based on the quality of contact allowed and strikeouts and walks) was 2.63, which was the 11th-best mark among qualified relievers.
These numbers suggest that Bradley may have been better than his traditional metrics indicate and that he was hurt by factors such as poor defense and bad luck.
Overall, when comparing Bradley’s performance to other bullpen pitchers in the league, he was a solid, reliable option who was hurt by some factors beyond his control.
With improved health and better luck in 2022, Bradley could potentially establish himself as one of the top relievers in the league.
What is Archie Bradley’s Salary?
Archie Bradley is a professional baseball player who has been playing for the Visalia Rawhide, Mobile BayBears and Arizona Diamondbacks since 2011. He has a base salary that varies depending on his contract and annual performance.
Archie Bradley’s Rookie Contract Salary
In his first four seasons of playing Major League Baseball starting in 2011, Archie Bradley earned a total of $1.77 million, which was the minimum wage at that time for a rookie baseball player.
Archie Bradley’s Contract Extension Salary
In 2019, Archie Bradley signed a contract extension with the Arizona Diamondbacks for $4.1 million, including a $1.5 million signing bonus. The four-year contract was set to keep him with the Diamondbacks through the 2021 season.
Archie Bradley’s Arbitration Salary
After the 2019 season, Archie Bradley became eligible for arbitration, which sets a player’s salary based on their previous performance and years of experience.
In 2020, he was awarded $4.1 million through this process.
Archie Bradley’s Current Salary
As of 2021, Archie Bradley is a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he signed a one-year deal for $6 million in January. This is a significant increase from his previous year’s salary and is reflective of his past performance and potential value to the team.
Archie Bradley’s salary has increased significantly over the years, starting with a rookie minimum and now earning millions through various contracts and arbitration.
His current salary reflects his value as a seasoned player and his potential impact on the team.
Where Did Archie Bradley Go?
Pitcher Archie Bradley has signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. He is trying to return from a broken elbow that ended his 2022 season.
Bradley is a 30-year-old right-hander. He last played in the major leagues in June 2022.
Bradley’s injury was a broken elbow. The contract includes a $1 million base salary in the major leagues. To receive the base salary, Bradley must be added to the Marlins’ 40-man roster.
Bradley has played for several teams throughout his career, including the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds.
He was a first-round draft pick in 2011. Bradley has a career earned run average of 3.91.
What Team is Archie Bradley Playing for?
Archie Bradley is a baseball player. He has agreed to a minor league deal. The deal is with the Miami Marlins. Bradley is a right-handed pitcher. He was previously with the Cincinnati Reds.
Bradley has also played for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies.
He was a top-ten pick in the 2011 MLB draft. Bradley has a career ERA of 3.91. He has recorded 28 saves in his career. Bradley will have a chance to compete for a spot on the Marlins’ roster in spring training.
To Recap
Overall, Archie Bradley has been a reliable and versatile asset for his teams. His consistency in keeping the ball in the yard and securing holds, coupled with his high-velocity pitches, make him a formidable force on the mound.
While his injury history may have hindered his potential impact, his performance in 2021 showed that he has the potential to be a dominant closer if he manages to stay healthy.
So, we can say that Bradley is a valuable player for any team and a formidable presence out of the bullpen.
