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 (loss), 5 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 7 walks, 3 Ks, 3.60 ERA
Season (Mobile): 15 starts (6-5), 87 innings, 70 hits, 28 runs (22 earned), 43 walks, 83 Ks, 2.28 ERA
Season (Visalia): 5 starts (2-0), 28.2 innings, 22 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 10 walks, 43 Ks, 1.26 ERA
*Notes: Was a tough last outing for Bradley. He had a lot of trouble finding the strike zone as he walked 7 batters and only struck out 3 in just 5 innings. The outing could have been a lot worse as he got out of trouble but it was a very uncharacteristic start for him.
2. Matt Davidson-3B-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last 10 games: .333 AVG, 12 hits, 10 runs, 2 doubles, 4 home runs, 11 RBI, 11 walks, 10 Ks, .489 OBP
Season: 96 games, .294 AVG, 108 hits, 48 runs, 26 doubles, 3 triples, 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 39 walks, 107 Ks, 1 stolen base, .365 OBP
*Notes: Davidson was not in the lineup starting Wednesday the 24th through the weekend. But was back in the starting lineup Monday. Even though he sat a few games, he has not slowed down from his great momentum from the All-Star break winning the futures game MVP and PCL home run derby.
3. Adam Eaton-OF-Arizona Diamondbacks
Last 10 games: .222 AVG, 8 hits, 6 runs, 0 RBI, 6 walks, 8 Ks
Season (Diamondbacks): 15 games, .204 AVG, 10 hits, 8 runs, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 RBI, 7 walks, 9 Ks, .304 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: Eaton is still playing here and there with the big league club while he continues to get back to 100%. We are seeing his ability to get on back with his .304 OBP but haven’t seen as much from a base running stand point as he is yet to steal a base.
4. Chris Owings-SS-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last 10 games: .225 AVG, 9 hits, 7 runs, 1 double, 1 home run, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 6 Ks, 1 stolen base, .279 OBP
Season: 99 games, .346 AVG, 159 hits, 86 runs, 24 doubles, 5 triples, 12 home runs, 67 RBI, 16 walks, 84 Ks, 16 stolen bases, .371 OBP
*Notes: Not the best week for Owings based on how he has played this season but still sports the highest batting average in the farm system. Despite lower average of late, still has hits in 8 of 10 games.
5. Braden Shipley-RHP-Hillsboro Hops (A short)
Last Week: 2 starts (0-1), 5.2 innings, 8 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 0 walks, 7 Ks, 6.92 ERA
Season: 6 starts (0-2), 12.1 innings, 17 hits, 9 runs (8 earned), 4 walks, 16 Ks, 5.84 ERA
*Notes: It was only a matter of time that the Diamondbacks first round pick from 2013 was named one of their top 20 prospects. We welcome him to the Dbacks on Deck blog. He has not pitched more than 3 innings in a start as their are slowly getting him accustomed to pro ball. His strikeout to walk ratio is very promising at 16:4 in the Hops short season.
6. David Holmberg-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 1 start (no decision), 5 innings, 4 hits, 1 run (earned), 4 walks 4 Ks, 1.80 ERA
Season: 20 starts (5-5), 123.1 innings, 109 hits, 49 runs (40 earned), 37 walks, 88 Ks, 2.92 ERA
*Notes: Holmberg got back on track last week with a solid start coming off his worst of the year. He lowered his July ERA a little with his last start but it still stands at 5.23 for the month. That’s coming off a June where his ERA was a stellar 1.75 for the month.
7. Zeke Spruill-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 2 starts (1-0), 13 innings, 8 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 7 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season (Diamondbacks): 4 relief appearances, 4.1 innings, 4 hit, 1 runs, 3 walks, 5 K, 2.08 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 returned from the DL dealing with dead arm and threw 2 great starts last week. In the national spotlight his stock has risen considerably as he was pushed up to the Diamondbacks number seven prospect. He has pitched a total of 108.1 innings in Mobile, Reno and with the Diamondbacks and has only allowed 4 home runs total.
8. Jake Barrett-RHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 2 relief appearances, 3 innings, 3 hits, 3 runs (0 earned), 0 walks, 0 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season (Mobile): 11 relief appearances (0-1), 5 saves, 11 innings, 9 hits, 4 run (1 earned), 2 walks, 3 Ks, 0.82 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 has been money as the closer in Mobile. He had 5 in his first 7 appearances. He did however blow his first save last week getting his first loss in Mobile.
9. Andrew Chafin-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last Week: 2 starts (1-1), 13 innings, 9 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 9 Ks, 2.08 ERA
Season (Mobile): 15 starts (7-6), 95.2 innings, 88 hits, 34 runs (30 earned), 34 walks, 64 Ks, 2.82 ERA.
Season (Visalia): 6 starts (3-1), 31 innings, 32 hits, 16 runs (all earned), 14 walks, 32 Ks, 4.65 ERA
*Notes: People think that when facing Mobile without Bradley or Holmberg on the hill, it will be an easier night. But Chafin has been quietly one of the most consistent starters for the BayBears since he was called up.
10. Stryker Trahan-C-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .317 AVG, 13 hits, 12 runs, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 6 walks, 10 Ks, .417 OBP
Season: 23 games, .283 AVG, 32 hits, 24 runs, 11 doubles, 3 home run, 17 RBI, 13 walks, 26 Ks, .367 OBP
*Notes: The Trahan show continues! One jaw dropping stat is he has scored 24 runs in 28 games and 12 in his last 10. Opponents must realize that if you let him get on base, it pretty much means an automatic run the way things have gone.
11. Anthony Meo-RHP-Visalia Rawhide (A+)
Last week: 2 relief appearances, 3 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 1 walks, 3 Ks.
Season (Mobile): 8 starts (0-4), 35.1 innings, 31 hits, 26 runs (25 earned), 25 walks, 17 Ks, 6.37 ERA
Season (Visalia): 10 relief appearances (1-0), 12.2 innings, 13 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 7 walks, 14 Ks, 2.13 ERA.
*Notes: Meo has stretched his consecutive scoreless innings in relief 6 over his last 5 appearances and has only allowed 5 hits and 2 walks in that stretch.
12. Jake Lamb-3B-AZL D-Backs (Rookie Arizona League)
Last week (AZL D-backs): 3 games, 2 hits, 3 runs, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 4 Ks, .333 OBP
Season (Visalia): 37 games, .287 AVG, 37 hits, 25 runs, 11 doubles, 8 home runs, 24 RBI, 29 walks, 43 Ks, .415 OBP
*Notes: Was sent to the rookie league after coming off the Visalia disabled list. He has only played three games since being sent there. He has been very productive this season when he has been able to stay healthy.
13. Michael Perez-C-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .250 AVG, 9 hits, 5 runs, 4 doubles, 4 RBI, 1 walks, 12 Ks, .270 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): 22 games, .228 AVG, 18 hits, 9 runs, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 7 walks, 26 Ks, .291 OBP
*Notes: Perez is starting to get is bat going. His average is now up over .200 which he has had trouble doing both in South Bend and when he was in Visalia. He has 7 hits in his last 5 games.
14. Nick Ahmed-SS-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last 10 games: .349 AVG, 15 hits, 6 runs, 5 RBI, 3 walks, 5 Ks, 4 stolen bases, .396 OBP
Season: 102 games, .225 AVG, 80 hits, 42 runs, 14 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs, 32 RBI, 26 walks, 61 Ks, 17 stolen bases, .282 OBP
*Notes: Ahmed may have dropped in the rankings for the top 20 prospects but his average continues to rise. He is hitting .305 in July. He didn’t hit over .200 in April and May to start the year.
15. Jose Munoz-SS-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .447 AVG, 17 hits, 7 runs, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 13 RBI, 6 walk, 8 Ks, .533 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 rose his average from .160 to .303 in three weeks. Pitchers cannot firgure out how to get him out. He has hit safely in 9 of 10 games and in 6 of the 9 games he had more than one hit.
16. Brandon Drury-3B/1B-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .359 AVG, 14 hits, 6 runs, 5 doubles, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 3 walks, 5 Ks, .419 OBP
Season: 101 games, .321 AVG, 129 hits, 60 runs, 41 doubles, 4 triples, 12 home runs, 71 RBI, 27 walks, 63 Ks, .366 OBP
*Notes: It wont be long before Drury is a household name for Diamondbacks fans. He wasn’t on many peoples’ radars before the season, now he has been moved up to the number 16 prospect in the system. It is due in large part because of his ability to hit well for average and drive in runs at an incredible rate.
17. Aaron Blair-RHP-Hillsboro Hops (A short)
Last Week: 1 start (no decision), 5 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 2 walks, 6 Ks, 3.60 ERA
Season: 5 starts (0-0), 18 innings, 13 hits, 7 runs (all earned), 7 walks, 17 Ks, 3.50 ERA
*Notes: Welcome Blair to the Dbacks on Deck blog as he enters the top 20 prospects for the first time. He only has one bad start out of his first 5. If you take away the one bad one he has only allowed 2 earned runs in 14 innings.
18. 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.
19. Evan Marzilli-OF-Visalia Rawhide (A+)
Last 10 games: .324 AVG, 12 hits, 8 runs, 6 doubles, 4 RBI, 2 walks, 8 Ks, .350 OBP
Season: 105 games, .228 AVG, 80 hits, 53 runs, 22 doubles, 1 triple, 27 RBI, 47 walks, 112 Ks, 11 stolen bases, .328 OBP
*Notes: Marzilli continues to be one of the hottest bats in the D-backs farm system. He is hitting .284 in July and has hits in 8 of the last 10 games.
20. Felipe Perez-RHP-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last week: 2 starts (0-2), 10.1 innings, 22 hits, 18 runs (12 earned), 2 walks, 2 Ks, 10.69 ERA
Season: 8 starts (4-4), 2 complete games, 1 shutout, 54 innings, 55 hits, 37 runs (24 earned), 10 walks, 24 Ks, 4.00 ERA
*Notes: Last we saw Perez, he was coming off a complete game shutout. His second complete game of the year. He has been rocked in his last two starts. In the first start since the shutout his opponents batting average was .455 and in the second, .462. He gave up a lot of runs without really walking many batters. He has shown flashes but really lacks the consistency.
Top 20 prospect outstanding performer last week: Jose Munoz-SS-Missoula Osprey
Diamondbacks full minor league statistical hitting leaders:
-Hits: Chirs Owings, SS, Reno Aces – 159 hits
-Home runs: Nick Evans, 3B, Mobile BayBears – 17 home runs
-Runs batted in: Brandon Drury, 3B, South Bend Silver Hawks – 71 RBI
Diamondbacks full minor league statistical pitching leaders:
-Wins: Daniel Watts, LHP, South Bend & Andrew Chafin, LHP, Mobile – 10 wins
-Strikeouts: Archie Bradley, RHP, Visalia/Mobile – 126 Ks
-Earned Run Average: Brad Keller, RHP, AZL D-Backs – 1.59 ERA
