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: 1 start (1-0), 5 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 1 walks, 2 Ks, 1.80 ERA
Season (Mobile): 21 starts (12-5), 123.1 innings, 93 hits, 35 runs (27 earned), 59 walks, 119 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 in August went 6-0 in 6 starts. That’s right, he won every decision. And that might not be the most impressive stat. His opponents batting average in August was .189 while allowing just 5 runs in 36.1 innings pitched. This just in, he is really good. Mobile begins their first round playoff series against MIS on Thursday.
2. Matt Davidson-3B-Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
Last 10 games: .308 AVG, 12 hits, 6 runs, 3 doubles, 1 home run, 7 RBI, 5 Walks, 13 Ks, .386 OBP
Season (Diamondbacks): .179 AVG, 5 hits, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 9 Ks, .233 OBP
Season (Reno): 115 games, .280 AVG, 124 hits, 55 runs, 32 doubles, 3 triples, 17 home runs, 74 RBI, 46 walks, 134 Ks, 1 stolen base, .350 OBP
*Notes: Davidson was sent back to Reno and is taking out any frustration of disappointment there on the rest of the PCL. He closed out the AAA minor league regular season with 8 hits in the final four games including 1 home run and 6 RBI. The Diamondbacks called him back up on Tuesday to hopefully finish the season in a Diamondback uniform.
3. Chris Owings-SS-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last 10 games: .304 AVG, 14 hits, 10 runs, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 11 RBI, 2 walks, 6 Ks, 4 stolen bases, .333 OBP
Season: 125 games, .330 AVG, 180 hits, 104 runs, 31 doubles, 8 triples, 12 home runs, 81 RBI, 22 walks, 99 Ks, 20 stolen bases, .359 OBP
*Notes: Owings finished the 2013 regular season like he started it, on a tear. He closed out the final series of the year against Salt Lake City with 8 hits (4 doubles), 7 RBI and 3 stolen bases. Owings was called up to the bigs for the first time this season on Tuesday and it will be fun to see how his game translates. What a year it was for him and the bigger question is where he will be going into next season because his bat is absolutely big league ready.
4. Braden Shipley-RHP-South Ben Silver Hawks (A)
Last Week: 1 starts (no decision), 3.2 innings, 2 hits, 1 runs (earned), 5 walks, 3 Ks, 2.45 ERA
Season (South Bend): 4 starts (0-1), 20.2 innings, 14 hits, 6 runs (all earned), 8 walks, 16 Ks, 2.61 ERA
Season (Hillsborough): 8 starts (0-2), 19 innings, 30 hits, 18 runs (16 earned), 6 walks, 24 Ks, 7.58 ERA
*Notes: Shipley’s last start was a short one and the only negative that really came out of it was that he struggled to find the strike zone and walked 5 batters in just the 3.2 innings. But his stint with South Bend has been very successful with an ERA under 3 in 4 starts.
5. David Holmberg-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 1 start (loss), 5 innings, 8 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 3 walks, 1 K, 5.40 ERA
Season (Diamondbacks): 3.2 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs (all earned) 3 walks, 0 Ks, 7.36 ERA
Season (Mobile): 26 starts (5-8), 1 complete game, 157.1 innings, 138 hits, 59 runs (48 earned), 50 walks, 116 Ks, 2.75 ERA
*Notes: Holmberg got his first start in the big leagues and it didn’t exactly go as planned. But it was a great opportunity for him to see where he stacks up and where he needs to improve. Despite what his record shows you, it has been a very good season in Mobile for Holmberg.
6. Zeke Spruill-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 2 starts (1-1), 7.2 innings, 17 hits, 13 runs (all earned), 4 walks, 7 Ks, 16.25 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): 16 starts (6-5), 92 innings, 98 hits, 48 runs (43 earned), 33 walks, 48 Ks, 4.21 ERA
Season (Mobile): 5 starts (0-3), 31.2 innings, 24 hits, 7 runs (5 earned), 12 walks, 20 Ks, 1.42 ERA
*Notes: After putting together a great start in his return to Reno from the bigs, Spruill has been rocked in his last 2 starts. He still got the win in the last one but the one prior might have been his worst of the season only lasting 2.2 innings where he gave up 9 runs on 10 hits. Opponents hit .556 in the game. Because of the last 2 starts, his ERA went over 4 to close out the regular season which is not indicative to the kind of year he had in the minors.
7. Jake Barrett-RHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 3 relief appearances, 1 save, 3 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 5 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season (Mobile): 24 relief appearances (1-1), 14 saves, 24.2 innings, 18 hits, 4 runs (1 earned), 3 walks, 22 Ks, 0.36 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 1 earned run in 24 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 has not walked a batter. he expects to be one of the top relievers in the Arizona Fall League this fall.
8. Andrew Chafin-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last Week: 1 starts (0-1), 10.2 innings, 8 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 4 walks, 5 Ks, 1.76 ERA
Season (Mobile): 21 starts (10-7), 126.1 innings, 118 hits, 46 runs (40 earned), 41 walks, 87 Ks, 2.85 ERA.
Season (Visalia): 6 starts (3-1), 31 innings, 32 hits, 16 runs (all earned), 14 walks, 32 Ks, 4.65 ERA
*Notes: Chafin closed out the regular season as his same consistent self throwing at least 5 innings in his last two starts. He is always goof for at least 5 strong. August was not his best month but he still posted a 2.93 ERA in the month and walked just 7 batters in 30.2 innings. He will participate in the Arizona Fall League this fall.
9. Stryker Trahan-C-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .268 AVG, 11 hits, 8 runs, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 7 RBI, 3 walks, 6 Ks, .318 OBP
Season: 56 games, .258 AVG, 58 hits, 43 runs, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs, 32 RBI, 24 walks, 55 Ks, .335 OBP
*Notes: Trahan continues to be multi-hit man. He has 4 multi-hit games in his last 10 games while driving in at least run in 5 of those 10. August wasn’t as good as July for him but he did drive in more runs and hit more home runs in the month.
10. Anthony Meo-RHP-Visalia Rawhide (A+)
Last week: 2 relief appearances, 2.2 innings, 3 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 3 walks, 4 Ks, 16.36 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): 21 relief appearances (1-1), 22.2 innings, 25 hits, 22 runs (19 earned), 22 walks, 22 Ks, 7.54 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 15.00. On top of that, he has 15 walks to just 7 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: .216 AVG, 8 hits, 5 runs, 3 doubles, 1 home runs, 9 RBI, 6 walks, 13 Ks, .333 OBP
Season (Visalia): 64 games, .303 AVG, 70 hits, 44 runs, 20 doubles, 13 home runs, 47 RBI, 48 walks, 70 Ks, .424 OBP
Season (AZL-Dbacks): 5 games, 5 hits, 4 runs, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 2 walks, 5 Ks, .381 OBP
*Notes: Lamb finished a great August with a ,351 average with 14 extra base hits and 23 RBI’s. Thats after an injury plagued summer where he did not play in July and played just one game in June. He really made the most of his time on the field this season. It is his hope as well as the hope of the organization that he can do it injury free in the future. He will participate in the Arizona Fall League this fall.
12. Michael Perez-C-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .235 AVG, 8 hits, 4 runs, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 3 RBI, 5 walks, 13 Ks, .333 OBP
Season (Visalia): 47 games, .173 AVG, 31 hits, 21 runs, 9 doubles, 5 home runs, 24 RBI, 11 walks, 78 Ks, 1 stolen base, .223 OBP
Season (South Bend): 46 games, .247 AVG, 40 hits, 20 runs, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 14 RBI, 14 walks, 55 Ks, .303 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 and on-base percentage is around 80 points higher, he has more hits including 3 more doubles and has 23 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: .302 AVG, 13 hits, 4 runs, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 9 RBI, 2 walks, 2 Ks, 1 stolen base, .348 OBP
Season: 136 games, .236 AVG, 115 hits, 58 runs, 21 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 46 RBI, 33 walks, 72 Ks, 26 stolen bases, .288 OBP
*Notes: Ahmed closes out the regular season in Mobile on a 6 game hitting streak and 13 hits in his last 10 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. He will be participating in the Arizona Fall League this fall.
14. Joe Munoz-SS-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .286 AVG, 10 hits, 8 runs, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 2 RBI, 6 walks, 9 Ks, 2 stolen bases, .419 OBP
Season: 51 games, .272 AVG, 50 hits, 31 runs, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs, 30 RBI, 19 walks, 56 Ks, 5 stolen bases, .351 OBP
*Notes: Munoz picked things up to close out August. He raised his batting average close to 40 points in the last 10 games of the season. Munoz has put he good potential on display this season but will need to put it together consistently to move up the system faster.
15. Brandon Drury-3B/1B-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .257 AVG, 9 hits, 4 runs, 2 doubles, 1 home run, 2 RBI, 4 walks, 8 Ks, .341 OBP
Season: 134 games, .302 AVG, 159 hits, 78 runs, 51 doubles, 4 triples, 15 home runs, 85 RBI, 47 walks, 92 Ks, 1 stolen base, .362 OBP
*Notes: Believe it or not, August was Drury’s worst month of the season. It’s a good sign if his worst month comes with a .252 average, 13 extra base hits, 14 RBI and 19 walks to just 26 Ks. I can see Drury shooting up the organizational ladder next season.
16. Aaron Blair-RHP-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last Week: 1 start (loss), 5.2 innings, 7 hits, 5 runs (2 earned), 0 walks, 3 Ks, 3.18 ERA
Season (South Bend): 3 starts (0-2), 17.2 innings, 19 hits, 10 runs (7 earned), 4 walks, 13 Ks, 3.57 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 even though he has not won a decision. That could more have to do with the run support for him because his ERA is just 3.57 in his 3 starts. The biggest positive with Blair is he shows great control and gives up very few walks in every start.
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 finished his season on the disabled list and will be a important piece to keep an eye on next season. He will be participating in the Arizona Fall league this fall where Diamondbacks will get their first look at their possible closer of the future.
18. Evan Marshall-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 2 relief appearances, 2 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 K, 0.00 ERA
Season: 54 relief appearances (3-6), 3 saves, 58 innings, 75 hits, 32 runs (28 earned), 30 walks, 59 Ks, 4.34 ERA.
*Notes: Marshall finished off his 2013 on a high note with 2 very strong relief appearances after losing some gas in August posting his worst month statistically of the season. 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: 1 start (win), 5 innings, 4 hits, 1 run (earned), 1 walks, 5 Ks, 1.80 ERA
Season: 14 starts (6-5), 2 complete games, 85 innings, 97 hits, 66 runs (44 earned), 19 walks, 44 Ks, 4.66 ERA
*Notes: Perez has had his highs and lows in 2013 but finished the season strong with 2 straight strong outings in a row including his last one in which he allowed just the one run in 5 innings pitched. Control is not his problem, it is finding opponents’ bats. And when he is on, those bats have been seen to miss baseball quite often.
20. Kevin Munson-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 2 relief appearances, 2 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season (Reno): 24 relief appearances, 1 save, 23 innings, 25 hits, 16 runs (13 earned), 7 walks, 27 Ks, 5.09 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: Munson closed out a tough month of august and a tough end of the season with two perfect outings. He fired up the Dbacks prospect boards as Mobile’s closer to start the season and finished as a dependable reliever for Reno.
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 – 180 hits
-Home runs: Nick Evans, 3B, Mobile / Rudy Flores, 1B, South Bend / Gerson Montilla, 2B, Visalia – 19 home runs
-Runs batted in: Brandon Drury, 3B, South Bend Silver Hawks – 85 RBI
Diamondbacks full minor league statistical pitching leaders:
-Wins: Archie Bradley, RHP, Mobile – 14 wins
-Strikeouts: Archie Bradley, RHP, Visalia/Mobile – 162 Ks
-Earned Run Average: Brad Keller, RHP, AZL D-Backs – 1.84 ERA