Hard-throwing pitcher Archie Bradley, the Arizona Diamondbacks' top prospect, will remain in the minor leagues despite a push by his agent to have the 21-year-old brought up to the big league club, according to a report.
General manager Kevin Towers told Fox Sports that he didn't want to put unnecessary pressure on Bradley, who has a 1.50 ERA with eight strikeouts in two starts for Triple-A Reno. The Diamondbacks (4-12) have a major league worst 7.16 ERA from their starting pitchers.
"I would not bring him up in this environment the way we're playing," Towers told Fox Sports. "I know how it would be perceived if he came up: 'Archie is going to save us.' I don't want to do that to a 21-year-old kid."
Bradley's agent, Jay Franklin, told Fox Sports that the Diamondbacks are keeping his client in the minors to delay his future timetable for free agency and arbitration.
"He has deserved that opportunity [to pitch in the majors] by keeping his mouth shut and letting his numbers speak," Franklin told Fox Sports.
Bradley, the seventh overall pick in the 2011 draft, competed for the No. 5 spot in Arizona's rotation this spring, going 2-1 with a 4.32 ERA in 8 1/3 innings. He struck out 10 and walked eight.
"We want him when he comes up to stay here when he comes," manager Kirk Gibson said when the club sent Bradley to the minors at the end of spring training. "He just has some things to simplify. He's close. He's somebody we look at who could really help us throughout the year. We think this is the way to go about it."
Bradley, who was a combined 14-5 with a 1.84 ERA with Class A Visalia and Double-A Mobile last season, said at the time that while he was disappointed, he understood the move.
"I'm not necessarily saying I saw it coming," Bradley said then. "I wanted to be here as long as I could. I think I did that. I understand being sent down. There are some things I need to work on and get better at. Go take care of business and get back up here."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.