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 (win), complete game, 6 hits, 1 run (unearned), 1 walks, 7 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season (Mobile): 16 starts (6-5), 2 complete games, 96 innings, 76 hits, 29 runs (22 earned), 44 walks, 90 Ks, 2.06 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 bounced back from one of his worst starts of the season to one of his best. He notched his first career complete game shutout his last time out. Went from walking 7 batters to just one. Shows the metal toughness he has to regroup so drastically in back-to-back starts.
2. Matt Davidson-3B-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last 10 games: .103 AVG, 4 hits, 4 runs, 2 doubles, 1 home run, 3 RBI, 6 walks, 15 Ks, .222 OBP
Season: 103 games, .275 AVG, 109 hits, 48 runs, 27 doubles, 3 triples, 16 home runs, 65 RBI, 41 walks, 118 Ks, 1 stolen base, .346 OBP
*Notes: Rough stretch of late for Davidson. In his last 10 games he is 4 for 39 and went hitless in 7 games in that span. Its only one rough patch in what has been a great season for him.
3. Adam Eaton-OF-Arizona Diamondbacks
Last 10 games: .188 AVG, 6 hits, 6 runs, 4 walks, 7 Ks
Season (Diamondbacks): 18 games, .196 AVG, 11 hits, 8 runs, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 RBI, 7 walks, 12 Ks, .286 OBP
Season (Reno): 9 games, .129 AVG, 4 hits, 4 runs, 2 doubles, 4 RBI, 3 walks, 7 Ks, .222 OBP
Season (Visalia): 15 games, .321 AVG, 17 hits, 12 runs, 3 double, 6 RBI, 10 walks, 6 Ks, 8 stolen bases, .438 OBP
*Notes: This season really has been disappointing for Eaton. First the major injury set back with the elbow and now he has struggled to produce now that he is in games (in a limited role). The team could really use his bat right now to inject some life at the top of their lineup.
4. Chris Owings-SS-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last 10 games: .186 AVG, 8 hits, 7 runs, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 9 Ks, 1 stolen base, .239 OBP
Season: 112 games, .333 AVG, 163 hits, 90 runs, 24 doubles, 5 triples, 12 home runs, 67 RBI, 16 walks, 84 Ks, 16 stolen bases, .359 OBP
*Notes: Owings is showing that he is actually human as he has slowed down quite a bit since the all-star break. It was not so long ago that his average was in the .370s. But he has still been the best hitting in the diamondbacks system this season.
5. Braden Shipley-RHP-Hillsboro Hops (A short)
Last Week: 1 starts (no decision), 2.2 innings, 7 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 0 walks, 2 Ks, 16.87 ERA
Season: 7 starts (0-2), 15.1 innings, 24 hits, 15 runs (13 earned), 4 walks, 18 Ks, 7.80 ERA
*Notes: They are bringing Shipley along very slowly in Hillsboro to manage his innings as his longest outing has been 3 innings. However, his performances in these short outings have been less than stellar on top of it. Especially his last performance that saw opponents hit .467 off of him in the 2.2 innings.
6. David Holmberg-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 2 starts (0-1), 12 innings, 11 hits, 2 run (both earned), 5 walks 9 Ks, 1.50 ERA
Season: 22 starts (5-6), 135.1 innings, 120 hits, 51 runs (42 earned), 42 walks, 97 Ks, 2.79 ERA
*Notes: Holmberg continues to be rock solid. In his last 10 starts, 8 of them have been quality not giving up more than 3 runs. Furthermore in that span, his strikeout to walk ratio is 50:20 and opponents are hitting .221 off of him.
7. Zeke Spruill-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 1 start (0-1), 4 innings, 7 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 0 walks, 3 Ks, 6.48 ERA
Season (Diamondbacks): 5 appearances (1 start), 8.1 innings, 11 hit, 6 runs, 3 walks, 8 K, 6.48 ERA
Season (Reno): 12 starts (4-3), 72.1 innings, 70 hits, 31 runs (26 earned), 24 walks, 34 Ks, 3.24 ERA
Season (Mobile): 5 starts (0-3), 31.2 innings, 24 hits, 7 runs (5 earned), 12 walks, 20 Ks, 1.42 ERA
*Notes: Spruill made his first career start in the majors last week in Texas and it didn’t quite go as planned. He had only allowed four home runs total all season in the minors. He allowed 3 in the one start. With Kennedy gone and Cahill still on the DL, Spruill should et another crack at a start at the MLB level.
8. Jake Barrett-RHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 3 relief appearances, 3 saves, 4 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 4 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season (Mobile): 14 relief appearances (1-1), 8 saves, 15 innings, 12 hits, 4 run (1 earned), 3 walks, 7 Ks, 0.60 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: Barrett continues to be lock down in the 9th. The thing that makes him so good in that role is he forces batters to beat him. Rarely does he issue a walk. That is seen in his 3 walks in 15 innings and 12 walks in 42.1 total innings in Mobile and Visalia combined.
9. Andrew Chafin-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last Week: 1 start (1-0), 5 innings, 5 hits, 1 runs (earned), 1 walk, 6 Ks, 1.80 ERA
Season (Mobile): 16 starts (8-6), 2 complete games, 100.2 innings, 93 hits, 35 runs (31 earned), 35 walks, 70 Ks, 2.77 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 last start was his second shortest since being called up to Mobile. But still as effective as any of them. The lefty has been as reliable as any player in the Diamondbacks system all year. With his win last week he is now first in the entire farm system in wins on the season with 11.
10. Stryker Trahan-C-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .237 AVG, 9 hits, 9 runs, 5 doubles, 1 home run, 3 RBI, 5 walks, 12 Ks, .326 OBP
Season: 33 games, .262 AVG, 34 hits, 27 runs, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 18 RBI, 16 walks, 34 Ks, .351 OBP
*Notes: Slower week from an average standpoint but Trahan continues to be a doubles machine for Missoula. 11 of his 34 hits in 33 games are doubles and has 59 total bases in that span.
11. Anthony Meo-RHP-Visalia Rawhide (A+)
Last week: 2 relief appearances, 1.2 innings, 25hits, 6 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 2 Ks, 45.00 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): 12 relief appearances (1-0), 14.1 innings, 18 hits, 9 runs (all earned), 9 walks, 16 Ks, 5.65 ERA.
*Notes: It’s been a weird season for Meo. As a started he was ok for Visalia, then he was sent to the DL because he was dealing with dead arm, when he came back from injury they decided to send him down to Visalia and put him in a relief role. It was an adjustment for him to do so and once you think he is getting the hang of it, he has a week like he has last week.
12. Jake Lamb-3B-Visalia Rawhide (A+)
Last week (Visalia): 1 for 8, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 3 Ks,
Season (Visalia): 39 games, .285 AVG, 39 hits, 26 runs, 11 doubles, 8 home runs, 26 RBI, 31 walks, 46 Ks, .414 OBP
Season (AZL): 5 games, .294 AVG, 5 hits, 4 runs, 2 doubles, 5 RBU, 2 walks, 5 Ks, .381 OBP
*Notes: Lamb played 5 games in the AZL after coming off the DL before being brought back up to Visalia. It has been an injury driven season for him and it was reported that he might not be able to bounce back before season’s end. Good to see him back in that 3rd base role for Visalia.
13. Michael Perez-C-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .364 AVG, 12 hits, 4 runs, 4 doubles, 3 RBI, 2 walks, 12 Ks, .400 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): 27 games, .240 AVG, 23 hits, 10 runs, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 6 RBI, 8 walks, 33 Ks, .298 OBP
*Notes: Perez’s batting average is still on the rise which was key for him to accomplish after being sent from Visalia to South Bend. He now has a hit in 9 of 10 games and 4 of those 9 are multi-hit games.
14. Nick Ahmed-SS-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last 10 games: .231 AVG, 9 hits, 6 runs, 2 doubles, 4 RBI, 3 walks, 4 Ks, 3 stolen bases, .302 OBP
Season: 109 games, .219 AVG, 84 hits, 45 runs, 14 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs, 33 RBI, 28 walks, 63 Ks, 18 stolen bases, .277 OBP
*Notes: Ahmed who was on fire may have taken a small step backwards last week. But it has been very impressive seeing him bounce back from a very rough start to the season. Looking at his numbers as the season has progressed, he has handled adversity very well.
15. Joe Munoz-SS-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .286 AVG, 10 hits, 8 runs, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 2 walks, 7 Ks, .359 OBP.
Season: 29 games, .303 AVG, 33 hits, 16 runs, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 23 RBI, 10 walks, 34 Ks, 3 stolen bases, .367 OBP
*Notes: Munoz almost hit .500 last week so this week’s numbers make him seem a little more human. After getting off to a slow start, his average has skyrocketed up to .285 and has 63 total bases in 35 games.
16. Brandon Drury-3B/1B-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .297 AVG, 11 hits, 7 runs, 6 doubles, 5 RBI, 3 walks, 6 Ks, .341 OBP
Season: 107 games, .312 AVG, 132 hits, 64 runs, 43 doubles, 4 triples, 12 home runs, 74 RBI, 28 walks, 68 Ks, .356 OBP
*Notes: Drury is off to a slow start in August with just 3 hits in his first 17 at bats for the month. But of those 3 hits, 2 were doubles and still managed to drive in 3 runs. For the season, Drury leads the D-backs system in RBI and is 2nd in hits and slugging percentage.
17. Aaron Blair-RHP-Hillsboro Hops (A short)
Last Week: 1 start (win), 5 innings, 3 hits, 1 runs (earned), 2 walks, 3 Ks, 1.80 ERA
Season: 5 starts (1-0), 23 innings, 16 hits, 8 runs (all earned), 9 walks, 20 Ks, 3.13 ERA
*Notes: Blair has been brought along slowly with the innings pitched just like with Shipley but Blair has pitched well enough to get himself through 5 innings in his last two starts. He has 1 one bad start of his 6 thus far.
18. Matt Stites-RHP-Currenlty listed on he Disabled List
Season: 46 relief appearances, 14 saves, 52 innings, 37 hits, 16 runs (12 earned), 8 walks, 51 Ks, 2.08 ERA
*Notes: Stites is the hard throwing reliever that the Diamondbacks acquired in the Ian Kennedy trade. He hasn’t yet been assigned to a D-back affiliate because he is currently listed on the disabled list. His strikeout to walk ratio this season is out of this world at 51:8 and opponents are hitting just .194 against him this season. He could be the closer of the future in Arizona. Scouts project him to be MLB ready in 2014.
19. Evan Marshall-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 3 relief appearances, 1 save, 3 innings, 3 hits, 1 run (earned), 2 walks, 2 Ks, 3.00 ERA
Season: 40 relief appearances (3-5), 3 saves, 43.2 innings, 56 hits, 24 runs (20 earned), 26 walks, 45 Ks, 4.12 ERA.
*Notes: Marshall has a scoreless streak of more than 10 innings snapped last week. But then bounced back and closed out a game for the Aces his last time out. His ERA has lowered considerably and is just above 4 for the season.
20. Felipe Perez-RHP-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last week: 1 starts (no decision), 7 innings, 9 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 1 walks, 6 Ks, 6.43 ERA
Season: 9 starts (4-4), 2 complete games, 61 innings, 64 hits, 43 runs (29 earned), 11 walks, 30 Ks, 4.28 ERA
*Notes: Perez’s struggles continue. In 3 starts since throwing a complete game, 2 hit shutout on July 18th, he has allowed 17 earned runs in 17.1 innings. One thing he could hang his hat on in the two starts prior to this week is that he had contained the long ball. But he gave up two home runs in his last start.
Top 20 prospect outstanding performer last week: Jake Barrett-RHP-Mobile BayBears
Diamondbacks full minor league statistical hitting leaders:
-Hits: Chirs Owings, SS, Reno Aces – 163 hits
-Home runs: Nick Evans, 3B, Mobile BayBears – 17 home runs
-Runs batted in: Brandon Drury, 3B, South Bend Silver Hawks – 74 RBI
Diamondbacks full minor league statistical pitching leaders:
-Wins: Andrew Chafin, LHP, Mobile – 11 wins
-Strikeouts: Archie Bradley, RHP, Visalia/Mobile – 133 Ks
-Earned Run Average: Brad Keller, RHP, AZL D-Backs – 1.38 ERA