Comments on: Top Area Code Pitchers

By: William Waltrip

William Waltrip — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:21:33 +0000

What about Billy Waltrip LHP 16yrs old, topped out at 90 mph, averages 87mph, wicked curve ball, dropping change up, pitched a perfect game in the Mickey Mantle tournament, 1 pitch away from another perfect game with the Dallas Yankees, Winning pitcher in Fort Meyers National 16 and under championships, shut down Bundy’s state championship team, shut down Mannford’s OK. #4 state ranked team once is league and once in state championships and also shut down Bradley’s 6A team in 09 at sixteen years old. Billy is in the top ten 2010 Perfect Game top ten for the state of Oklahoma. He is know 17 years old and is a senior. Is there any info on this young man.

By: Dave Perkin

Dave Perkin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:29:14 +0000

Blackie: Let’s see if we can put this to rest. There is no question that Bradley is one of the top 2011 pitching prospects. No doubt about it. With all due respect to Keith Law, whom I admire a great deal, he is not a scout. None of the scouts I spoke to had Bradley touching 95 plus. They had him sitting in the low 90′s peaking around 93 occasionally. Also, all the scouts I spoke to like Bradley’s frame, but they voiced modest–and I emphasize modest– concerns about his delivery. Each scout also expressed praise for his breaking stuff, plus they all stated that Bradley needed to improve both his breaking stuff and command. It should be noted that the 3 scouts I spoke to have a combined total of 65 years of scouting experience. Bradley will be back next year, of course, as one the top prospects in the nation and deservedly so.

By: Blackie

Blackie — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:13:40 +0000

I certainly understand 2011′s taking a back seat, though Bundy, a fellow 2011, obviously did not. Concerning the secondary stuff, Keith Law (not prone to hype) had Bradley with an *extremely sharp breaking ball* and another scout had him with a power curve and good slider, commanded well. Nothing against Dave, whose work I enjoy a lot, but that sounds like more than solid secondary stuff. It wouldn’t be scouting without divergent opinions. He’ll be a strong follow the next two years.

By: Nathan Rode

Nathan Rode — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:06:12 +0000

He was sitting low 90s, otherwise he would have told me he was sitting high 80s, touching lows. His report is based on what he saw and his discussions with a scouting director, crosschecker, veteran scout as well as the former pros that were in attendance. Dave also had his own bird dog type guy and no one brought up Bradley. That’s not to say he’s not a prospect. The frame is good, as is the fastball from the sounds of it. Some development of the secondary stuff will help him move right along. He’s also a 2011 so the 2010s have a bit of an edge, though there were two 2011s on the list.

By: Blackie

Blackie — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:58:00 +0000

Nathan, does that mean Dav’es reports had him topping out in the low 90s? I think most of the velocities in this thread implied low 90s, topping out 95. And is Dave’s report based on several viewings, or just the day one outing most reported?

By: Nathan Rode

Nathan Rode — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:55:10 +0000

Archie Bradley is certainly a guy BA will be keeping its eye on for the next couple of years. Dave’s reports had him in the low 90s (not 95-96) with work needed on his secondary stuff. But he does have a good body and nice pitcher’s frame.

By: Stan

Stan — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:26:47 +0000

I found it strange that Archie Bradley was not listed. I attended each day of the AC he was outstanding. Smooth delivery ball came out EZ, 91-95 ( guns in front of me ) sitting on 93. While he’s a 2 pitch guy the marked increase from an year earlier ( he also was at the AC 2008 ) needs to be noted. Guess somebody wasn’t paying attention.

By: AC Supporter

AC Supporter — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:25:56 +0000

I agree with Comment 1. Where is Archie Bradley? It was reported that 2011 RHP Archie Bradley had 3 shut out/no hit innings while topping out at 95 mph. If there were 10 pitchers with better numbers and projectability than Archie, there must be some serious arms attending this event.

By: Felix

Felix — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:09:08 +0000

I thought it strange Bradley did not make the list. Bundy was clearly in better control of all of his pitches. While Bradleys fastball was the best I saw it did dimimish in the third inning somewhat 92-94 down to 88-91. The first two innings it just seemed to jump out of his hand. In the third of his innings he did not record a strike out and one F8 just barely missed going out of the park.

By: Blackie

Blackie — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:39:28 +0000

I’ve read at least two glowing reviews of Archie Bradley at this event (albeit early on; perhaps he faded?) and was wondering what kept him off the list? It sounds like he has top-notch stuff and at least one commentator liked his projectability and delivery better than Bundy’s.