Drafted in the 13th round (377th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 1996.
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When the A's became disenchanted with catching prospect Miguel Olivo, they traded him to the White Sox for Bradford, who joined former Sox farmhands Frank Menechino, Olmedo Saenz and Mario Valdez on the 40-man roster. The submarining Bradford spent time in the majors with Chicago in each of the last three seasons. The White Sox never trusted him enough to keep him around but took a leap of faith by putting him on their 2000 playoff roster. When manager Jerry Manuel brought him in to protect a 4-3 lead in Game One of the Division Series against Seattle, Mike Cameron delivered a game-tying single. It was one of the few low moments in a terrific year for Bradford, who has proven he's too good for the minor leagues. In 131 Triple-A appearances over the last three years, he has a 1.81 ERA. He throws in the high 80s, but his funky delivery makes him nasty on righthanders. His fastball has sinking action but straightens out when he leaves it up in the strike zone. Bradford has a good curveball that helps against lefthanders, and he shows hitters an occasional changeup. He's always around the strike zone. Managers have been reluctant to use him in save situations, but he should be effective as a set-up man.
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