Jared Cohen
We know what the Arizona Diamondbacks look like presently, but it is hard to keep up with the future because they don’t play here locally. However, most Minor League games are televised and can be viewed using the MiLB.TV package, including all Diamondback affiliates. Whether you can follow the teams or not, we will keep you up to date on what you need to know. Every week we take a look at the Diamondback’s farm system and a closer look at the top 20 prospects here in 2013 and their production throughout the season.
1. Archie Bradley-RHP-Mobile Bay Bears (AA)
Last week: 2 starts (2-0), 10.1 innings, 9 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 9 walks, 10 Ks, 1.78 ERA
Season (Mobile): 20 starts (11-5), 118.1 innings, 90 hits, 33 runs (26 earned), 58 walks, 117 Ks, 2.00 ERA
Season (Visalia): 5 starts (2-0), 28.2 innings, 22 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 10 walks, 43 Ks, 1.26 ERA
*Notes: Bradley has now picked up the win in his last 5 starts for Mobile which is every start he has had in August. He continues to cruise along this month a 1.15 ERA. The walks were up a little last week, especially the 6 he had in his last start. But it’s hard for opponents to do anything with those free passes when they are hitting only .118 off him for the game.
2. Matt Davidson-3B-Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
Last Week: .179 AVG, 5 hits, 1 runs, 1 RBI, 0 Walks, 4 Ks, .143 OBP
Season (Diamondbacks): .179 AVG, 5 hits, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 9 Ks, .233 OBP
Season (Reno): 108 games, .278 AVG, 115 hits, 52 runs, 31 doubles, 3 triples, 16 home runs, 68 RBI, 42 walks, 123 Ks, 1 stolen base, .348 OBP
*Notes: Davidson is having trouble getting into a rhythm since being called up to the bigs. He isn’t playing everyday so that makes it tough on anyone and Kirk Gibson mentioned he wants to get him at-bats but he still has players ahead of him. Davidson did almost had his first home run in Phily on Sunday but it was robbed and he has been tried out in the clean-up spot behind Goldscmidt. It is the hope of the organization that that’s what the middle of the lineup could look like moving forward.
3. Chris Owings-SS-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last 10 games: Has not played in a game since August 12.
Season: 118 games, .331 AVG, 170 hits, 97 runs, 27 doubles, 7 triples, 12 home runs, 73 RBI, 20 walks, 94 Ks, 16 stolen bases, .359 OBP
*Notes: Owings was been named to the 2013 All-Pacific Coast League Team on Monday. Owings joins Collin Cowgill (2011), Adam Eaton (2012), Jake Elmore (2012), John Hester (2009), Cody Ransom (2011) and Ryan Wheeler (2012) as Reno’s all-time All-PCL selections. Reno is in their final week of the season and Owings has not played since August 12 despite the fact that he is not listed on the disabled list.
4. Braden Shipley-RHP-South Ben Silver Hawks (A)
Last Week: 2 starts (0-0), 12 innings, 9 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 3 walks, 9 Ks, 3.00 ERA
Season (South Bend): 3 start (0-1), 17 innings, 12 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 3 walks, 13 Ks, 2.65 ERA
Season (Hillsborough): 8 starts (0-2), 19 innings, 30 hits, 18 runs (16 earned), 6 walks, 24 Ks, 7.58 ERA
*Notes: Shipley has thrown together 3 quality starts in a row to begin his stint with South Bend. His last one most notably was his best as he gave up just 2 runs and 4 hits in 7 innings. In 2 of the 3 starts in South Bend, his opponents batting average is under the Mendoza line. He is picking up steam as the season nears an end.
5. David Holmberg-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 1 start (no decison), 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks 5 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season: 25 starts (5-7), 1 complete game, 152.1 innings, 130 hits, 56 runs (45 earned), 47 walks, 115 Ks, 2.66 ERA
*Notes: Holmberg goes seven shutout innings just giving up 3 hits and 2 walks and it still wasn’t good enough to get the win. He now has not recorded a win in his last 8 starts with his last win recorded back on July 3rd. 5 of those 8 starts have been no decisions. Luck has not been on his side but he continues to at least do his job as he hasn’t allowed more than 3 runs in a start since July 14.
6. Zeke Spruill-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 1 start (win), 7 innings, 6 hits, 1 runs (earned), 1 walks, 3 K, 1.29 ERA
Season (Diamondbacks): 6 games (2 starts, 4 relief appearances), 11.1 innings, 17 hit, 11 runs (7 earned), 5 walks, 9 K, 5.56 ERA
Season (Reno): 14 starts (5-4), 84.1 innings, 81 hits, 35 runs (30 earned), 29 walks, 41 Ks, 3.20 ERA
Season (Mobile): 5 starts (0-3), 31.2 innings, 24 hits, 7 runs (5 earned), 12 walks, 20 Ks, 1.42 ERA
*Notes: The last start for Spruill was his best at any level in almost a month. It was the farthest he has pitched in a game since he went 8 innings on July 27th for Reno and it is the least amount of runs given up since that star as well. He had that rough patch which included a couple bad starts up with the Diamondbacks, but he looks to be getting back on track as the season winds down.
7. Jake Barrett-RHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 3 relief appearances, 3 saves, 3 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 4 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season (Mobile): 21 relief appearances (1-1), 13 saves, 21.2 innings, 15 hits, 4 runs (1 earned), 3 walks, 11 Ks, 0.42 ERA
Season (Visalia): 28 relief appearances (2-1), 15 saves, 27.1 innings, 21 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), 9 walks, 37 Ks, 1.98 ERA
*Notes: Mr. Automatic has another flawless week. He was called up to Mobile in June and has only given up for 4 in 16 relief appearances. Not only has he not allowed a run in what seem’s like forever, in his last 10 appearances he has only given up 6 hits and only 1 walk.
8. Andrew Chafin-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last Week: 1 start (no decision), 5 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 3 Ks, 7.20 ERA
Season (Mobile): 19 starts (10-6), 115.2 innings, 110 hits, 42 runs (38 earned), 37 walks, 82 Ks, 2.96 ERA.
Season (Visalia): 6 starts (3-1), 31 innings, 32 hits, 16 runs (all earned), 14 walks, 32 Ks, 4.65 ERA
*Notes: Chafin’s 4 runs allowed in his last start was the most given up since July 12 but despite that, it was another start of at least 5 innings pitched which is pretty much a guarantee every time he takes the hill. On top of that he has 18 Ks to just 3 walks in the month of August.
9. Stryker Trahan-C-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .217 AVG, 10 hits, 6 runs, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 6 RBI, 2 walks, 11 Ks, .250 OBP
Season: 51 games, .255 AVG, 53 hits, 38 runs, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, 30 RBI, 22 walks, 53 Ks, .332 OBP
*Notes: Trahan has been much more productive over this recent stretch then his batting average shows. He has his safely in 6 of those 10 games including 3 multi-hit games. Drawing more walks here and there could help but overall he has been very productive for Missoula.
10. Anthony Meo-RHP-Visalia Rawhide (A+)
Last week: 2 relief appearances, 2.1 innings, 2 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 5 walks, 0 Ks, 8.57 ERA
Season (Mobile): 8 starts (0-4), 35.1 innings, 31 hits, 26 runs (25 earned), 25 walks, 17 Ks, 6.37 ERA
Season (Visalia): 17 relief appearances (1-1), 17.2 innings, 20 hits, 13 runs (all earned), 14 walks, 18 Ks, 6.62 ERA.
*Notes: Meo struggles last week as his roller coaster of a season continues. Only 5 of his last 10 relief appearances are scoreless and his ERA in that span is 12.96. On top of that, he has 13 walks to just 5 Ks in those 10 appearances as well. Meo battled injuries for a lot of 2013 and he has never really gotten into a groove since he has been back in action.
11. Jake Lamb-3B-Visalia Rawhide (A+)
Last 10 games: .395 AVG, 17 hits, 10 runs, 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 RBI, 6 walks, 10 Ks, .480 OBP
Season (Visalia): 56 games, .318 AVG, 64 hits, 41 runs, 18 doubles, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 44 walks, 60 Ks, .441 OBP
Season (AZL-Dbacks): 5 games, 5 hits, 4 runs, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 2 walks, 5 Ks, .381 OBP
*Notes: Lamb has been one of the hottest hitters in the Diamondbacks system over the last couple of weeks since he was activated off of the DL. He is hitting a crazy .375 in August with 12 extra base hits in 72 at-bats. It’s a shame what Lamb’s season stats could have looked like if not for the multiple injuries he sustained throughout the year.
12. Michael Perez-C-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .242 AVG, 8 hits, 1 runs, 1 double, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 10 Ks, .286 OBP
Season (Visalia): 47 games, .173 AVG, 31 hits, 21 runs, 9 doubles, 5 home runs, 24 RBI, 11 walks, 1 stolen base, .223 OBP
Season (South Bend): 42 games, .250 AVG, 37 hits, 16 runs, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 12 RBI, 10 walks, 48 Ks, .294 OBP
*Notes: Perez has just about played as many games in South Bend as he did in Visalia to start the season. The Diamondbacks should be very pleased with the move of sending him down because his average is about 80 points higher, he has more hits in 5 less games including 3 more doubles and has 30 less Ks. The power and RBI numbers are down compared to his time with the Rawhide but his overall production at the plate has improved and I am guessing that was the goal to begin with.
13. Nick Ahmed-SS-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last 10 games: .278 AVG, 10 hits, 6 runs, 3 double, 1 home run, 6 RBI, 3 walk, 3 Ks, 2 stolen bases, .325 OBP
Season: 129 games, .231 AVG, 106 hits, 56 runs, 18 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 41 RBI, 32 walks, 71 Ks, 26 stolen bases, .284 OBP
*Notes: Ahmed showing some power in the last week. 4 extra base hits in total and 6 RBI including 5 in the last 4 games. Ahmed has lived up to the billing since being brought over in the Justin Upton trade despite getting off to a very slow start to the season.
14. Joe Munoz-SS-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .182 AVG, 6 hits, 6 runs, 3 doubles, 1 home run, 3 RBI, 6 walks, 14 Ks, 1 stolen base, .317 OBP.
Season: 46 games, .257 AVG, 43 hits, 26 runs, 10 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, 29 RBI, 16 walks, 54 Ks, 4 stolen bases, .332 OBP
*Notes: Munoz has 6 hits in his last 33 at-bats and is hitting just .140 for the month of August. That’s after a July where he hit .360. Munoz has the tools to make things happen at the plate and while on the base paths but his consistency has been the issue in 2013.
15. Brandon Drury-3B/1B-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .275 AVG, 11 hits, 7 runs, 1 home run, 4 RBI, 7 walks, 8 Ks, .396 OBP
Season: 127 games, .308 AVG, 155 hits, 76 runs, 50 doubles, 4 triples, 15 home runs, 84 RBI, 43 walks, 87 Ks, 1 stolen base, .364 OBP
*Notes: Believe it or not, August (25 games) has been Drury’s worst month of the season. It’s a good sign if his worst month comes with a .265 average, 9 extra base hits, 13 RBI and 16 walks to just 22 Ks. If Drury continues at this pace, he is going to shoot up the organizational ladder next season.
16. Aaron Blair-RHP-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last Week: 1 start (no decision), 6 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 3 walk, 7 Ks, 4.50 ERA
Season (South Bend): 2 starts (0-1), 12 innings, 12 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 4 walks, 10 Ks, 3.75 ERA
Season (Hillsborough): 8 starts (1-1), 31 innings, 25 hits, 10 runs (all earned), 13 walks, 28 Ks, 2.90 ERA
*Notes: Blair continues to be solid since being called up to South Bend. One thing the he will need to overcome as he continues to move up in the organization is his work out of the stretch. His ERA in 2 starts with the Silver Hawks when runners are on is 6.75 and it 9.64 with runners in scoring position. Just a small note on him in what has been a very promising showing from Blair since being drafted into the organization this year.
17. Matt Stites-RHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Season (San Antonio Missions): 46 relief appearances, 14 saves, 52 innings, 37 hits, 16 runs (12 earned), 8 walks, 51 Ks, 2.08 ERA
*Notes: Stites is still listed on the disabled list after having an emergency appendectomy surgery just a few days before being traded to the Diamondbacks in the Ian Kennedy deal. Once heathy, he will begin his Diamondbacks organization tenure in AA Mobile.
18. Evan Marshall-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 3 relief appearances, 3.2 innings, 9 hits, 5 run (all earned), 1 walk, 4 Ks, 14.06 ERA
Season: 52 relief appearances (3-6), 3 saves, 56.1 innings, 73 hits, 32 runs (28 earned), 30 walks, 58 Ks, 4.50 ERA.
*Notes: Marshall had one of his worst week’s of the season last week as he gave up runs in consecutive appearances including 4 on August 23rd. He has been hit with a run every so ofter throughout the year but the 4 run blowup was definitely a shock. He did however bounce back after that tough outing with 2 scoreless innings in relief his last time out. He has been one of the most reliable and durable arms in the Reno bullpen this season.
19. Felipe Perez-RHP-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last week: 2 starts (1-0), 12.1 innings, 15 hits, 9 runs (8 earned), 3 walks, 7 Ks, 5.95 ERA
Season: 13 starts (5-5), 2 complete games, 80 innings, 93 hits, 65 runs (43 earned), 18 walks, 39 Ks, 4.84 ERA
*Notes: Perez pitched into the 6th and then into the 7th in his last 2 starts and walked just 3 batters total in those 2 starts. There is the positive. The negative is that Perez continues to have trouble missing bats. Hitters hit .304 in that first start last week and .296 in the second bringing in a combined 8 earned runs. August has been his worst month of the season as he sports a 6.58 ERA.
20. Kevin Munson-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 3 relief appearances, 2 innings, 6 hits, 6 runs (4 earned), 2 walks, 2 Ks, 18.00 ERA
Season (Reno): 22 relief appearances, 1 save, 21 innings, 25 hits, 16 runs (13 earned), 7 walks, 25 Ks, 5.57 ERA
Season (Mobile): 29 relief appearances (2-2), 13 saves, 31.2 innings, 17 hits, 12 runs (all earned), 15 walks, 39 Ks, 3.41 ERA
*Notes: It’s been a tough month in relief for Munson. His 8 earned runs in 7.1 innings is head scratching after he allowed just 5 earned runs over 12.2 innings in July. It is really the first adversity Munson has faced since being called up to Reno from Mobile in late July.
Top 20 prospect outstanding performer last week: Jake Barrett-RHP-Mobile BayBears
Diamondbacks full minor league statistical hitting leaders:
-Hits: Chris Owings, SS, Reno Aces – 170 hits
-Home runs: Nick Evans, 3B, Mobile / Rudy Flores, 1B, South Bend – 18 home runs
-Runs batted in: Brandon Drury, 3B, South Bend Silver Hawks – 84 RBI
Diamondbacks full minor league statistical pitching leaders:
-Wins: Archie Bradley, RHP, Mobile / Andrew Chafin, LHP, Mobile – 13 wins
-Strikeouts: Archie Bradley, RHP, Visalia/Mobile – 160 Ks
-Earned Run Average: Brad Keller, RHP, AZL D-Backs – 1.84 ERA