PHOENIX -- At the onset of the 2011 Draft, the D-backs were equipped with two of the top seven overall picks for the first time in MLB history.

Such a rare opportunity, which grew even more unlikely to occur again due to new Draft rules, gave the club a chance to set up its Minor League system for both the immediate and long-term future.

The D-backs used their two high selections to draft right-handed pitchers Trevor Bauer at No. 3 and Archie Bradley No. 7.

Now one year later, both picks are showing why the club invested a large stake of its future in them.

After a long junior campaign at UCLA throwing 136 2/3 innings, Bauer finished his first, albeit limited, professional season with a 5.96 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings at Class A Visalia and Double-A Mobile.

So far this year at Mobile and Triple-A Reno, Bauer's numbers have made him the D-backs' most prized prospect in their system.

2012 Draft Central

"He's taken to the pro game like a fish in water," D-backs scouting director Ray Montgomery said. "Trevor is uniquely advanced in terms of his approach, how he prepares and his pitching in general."

Bauer began 2012 at Double-A, winning seven of eight decisions and posting an ERA of 1.68 over 48 1/3 dominant innings. He struck out 60 batters while only allowing one home run.

His complete supremacy over opposing hitters in the Southern League prompted the D-backs front office to promote him to Reno in May.

Through four starts in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League thus far, Bauer is continuing to experience success at a mouth-watering pace for the organization. He is 2-0 over 25 innings with a 2.52 ERA and 31 strikeouts.

Combined over his 99 professional innings over the past two seasons, the 21-year-old has retired 134 outs on strikes. Bauer's prowess throughout the Minor Leagues has him close to joining the Majors at any time.

"He's on track, probably even a bit sooner than I would've thought," Montgomery said. "He's very well advanced."

While Bauer knocks on the doorstep of big league stardom, Bradley, who was taken out of high school in Oklahoma, is on a much slower, but not any less impressive pace.

After pitching in just two Rookie League games last season when he first signed with the D-backs, Bradley is now in his first full professional campaign at Class A Missoula. He has tossed 59 2/3 innings so far, boasting a 3.92 ERA and 56 strikeouts.

Opposing batters are hitting just .156 against the 19-year-old and on April 16 against Lansing, Bradley threw five hitless innings while punching out eight.

"He's had some missteps here and there, but I think he's responded incredibly and very maturely for his age," Montgomery said. "He's on track, he's doing well."