5 years agoIn 2019, Archie Bradley emerged as the Diamondbacks’ new closer, but the season contained just as much trouble as it did success. For the first three months, Bradley slogged through 38 innings with a 5.21 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP. After making a series of adjustments, the 27-year-old completed the final three months with a 1.60 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. The underlying splits don’t look as drastic as the two halves, but Bradley’s results speak for themselves. During those final three months delivered a 27.2 strikeout rate and a .186 BAA. Bradley does offer shutdown potential, but the Diamondbacks also have some potential though uninspiring alternatives at closer. For now, he enters as the established closer whose team expects him to hold that job for the coming years. The Diamondbacks intend to compete, so it’s unlikely Bradley will be traded midseason. Fantasy managers would prefer to see more swing-and-miss ability as well as fewer walks; during 2019, Bradley posted a mediocre 16.9% K-BB. However, Bradley should be cheaper than many mid-tier closers, so he’s a fine option later in the draft. Bradley’s current ADP is 178, which is bit aggressive compared to players like Brandon Workman (176), Jean Segura (181), and Luke Weaver (189). For 2020, Bradley will likely offer a season that looks similar to his 2019 numbers but with more opportunities to close out games: 25 S, 3.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 90 Ks.--David Emerick