Major League teams are always looking for that experienced arm in the bullpen to get batters out and sometimes they fail to look within their own organization.
The New York Mets have one of those pitchers on the farm, who is waiting patiently for the call that has alluded him these past few seasons.
Chasen Bradford, who has been with the Mets since 2011, has yet to taste the big leagues, but he has grown into a reliable relief pitcher, even if he has only been able to showcase his talents on the minor league level and during some big league spring games.
In an era where starting pitchers are taken out earlier in games and relief pitchers are brought in to bridge the gap to the closers, having a reliable arm in any bullpen is key to success.
Bradford has shown to be that reliable arm as he has started another season with Triple-A Las Vegas 51s.
On the season, Bradford has compiled a 0.00 ERA in five games, spanning an inning a game. He has allowed only two hits, one walk and has struck out seven batters.
Over the past week from April 10-April 16th, the Las Vegas, Nevada native appeared in four games, earning two saves, allowing just two hits, no runs, a walk and five strikeouts. Opponents are batting just .118 against him and he also has a 0.60 WHIP.
Bradford is no stranger to pitching in the clutch as he is 27-19, with 39 saves, and 312 strikeouts in 360.1 innings in the minors.
The right hander, who is in the last year of his contract with the New York Mets, can be a force on the big club and help bridge the gap to the closer. The Mets have shown to have struggles in the early going of the season, so looking within their own organization would be a plus to help fill a need. This is the season to finally give Bradford his due and so far in the early part of 2017, he is proving the point to be true.
Congrats to Chasen Bradford for being named Legends on Deck’s Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for April 10-16.
#CallUpChasenBradford
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