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), 5 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 5 walks, 7 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season (Mobile): 18 starts (9-5), 108 innings, 81 hits, 31 runs (24 earned), 49 walks, 107 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’s had a no hitter through five innings before he was pulled from the game. His 5 walks and 7 Ks in that span ran that pitch count up so he was pulled from the game before having a shot at a no-hitter. Bradley’s ERA in 3 August starts is 0.86.
2. Matt Davidson-3B-Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
Last week/Season (Diamondbacks): .214 AVG, 3 hits, 1 runs, 5 doubles, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 5 Ks, .313 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 getting time at third for the Diamondbacks because the team wouldn’t call up a player of his potential to just sit on the bench. It has been a bot of a struggle for him at this level so far as he has just 2 his in the Diamondbacks last 2 series’ against Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
3. Chris Owings-SS-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last 10 games: .182 AVG, 8 hits, 8 runs, 3 double, 2 triple, 6 RBI, 2 walks, 7 Ks, .234 OBP
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 has had a tough go of it of late by his standards. He is having a phenominal 2013 season and his season long numbers reflect that. However he is hitting just .182 with an on-base percentage of .234 in August. Both of those state categories have not been below .300 for any other month all season.
4. Braden Shipley-RHP-South Ben Silver Hawks (A)
Last Week (South Bend): 1 start (loss), 5 innings, 3 hits, 1 runs (earned), 0 walks, 4 Ks, 1.80 ERA
Season (Hillsborough): 8 starts (0-2), 19 innings, 30 hits, 18 runs (16 earned), 6 walks, 24 Ks, 7.58 ERA
*Notes: Shipley was called up to South Bend last week and despite the fact that his first start with the Silver Hawks was a loss, it happened to be his best since being drafted into the Diamondbacks organization. His five innings is the longest of his career, is 0 walks is obviously his lowest for a start and his one earned run allowed was also the lowest. Promising sign for he Diamondbacks number one selection in 2013.
5. David Holmberg-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 1 start (no decison), 5 innings, 5 hits, 2 run (both earned), 1 walks 7 Ks, 3.60 ERA
Season: 24 starts (5-7), 1 complete game, 145.1 innings, 127 hits, 56 runs (45 earned), 45 walks, 110 Ks, 2.79 ERA
*Notes: Holmberg winless streak continues but he is still putting forth some solid outings. He has gone at least 5 strong for his last 5 starts but is still yet to record a win since July 3rd. He sports a stellar 1.80 ERA in August.
6. Zeke Spruill-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 1 start (loss), 5 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs (3 earned), 4 walks, 4 K, 5.40 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): 13 starts (4-4), 77.1 innings, 75 hits, 34 runs (29 earned), 28 walks, 38 Ks, 3.38 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 had his first start back in Reno since being sent back down from the Diamondbacks and it was ok. He only gave up 5 hits and opponents hit a measly .250 off him for the game. But the runs scored as well as the 4 walks in those 5 innings was not his best. He was pitching great before he was first called up to the bigs. He hopes to get back to that level in Reno to show he belongs at the major league level for a longer period of time than just a few starts.
7. Jake Barrett-RHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last week: 1 relief appearance, 1 save, 1 inning, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 K, 0.00 ERA
Season (Mobile): 17 relief appearances (1-1), 10 saves, 17.2 innings, 12 hits, 4 runs (1 earned), 3 walks, 11 Ks, 0.51 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. On this most recent stretch, he hasn’t allowed a run his last 7 outings.
8. Andrew Chafin-LHP-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last Week: 1 start (win), 5 innings, 6 hits, 2 run (both earned), 0 walks, 4 Ks, 3.60 ERA
Season (Mobile): 18 starts (10-6), 110.2 innings, 103 hits, 38 runs (34 earned), 35 walks, 79 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 hasn’t allowed more than 2 runs in a game since early July and really has not been shelled in any start this season. One notable state for Chafin is that his ERA drops more and more every month. It was 3.00 in May, 2.78 in June, 2.70 in July and now 2.40 in August. He just keeps getting better and more consistent.
9. Stryker Trahan-C-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .262 AVG, 11 hits, 6 runs, 3 doubles, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 5 walks, 12 Ks, .340 OBP
Season: 46 games, .255 AVG, 47 hits, 35 runs, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, 25 RBI, 21 walks, 49 Ks, .338 OBP
*Notes: Trahan had a stretch over the last 10 games where he had 2 hits in a game for 4 consecutive games and 11 hits over a 7 game span. He is a bit streaky but if you catch him when he’s hot, its he is never an easy out.
10. Anthony Meo-RHP-Visalia Rawhide (A+)
Last week: 4 relief appearances, 2.1 innings, 1 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 5 walks, 2 Ks, 17.14 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 pitched in 4 games last week and really only had one bad one. The 3 others were scoreless and hitless. In fact, he only allowed one hit in the 4 appearances. The problem was the walks, and it was the main problem in his rough outing on August 16th in which he walked 3 batters which in turn allowed 4 runs. It has been those types of outings spaced all throughout the season that have inflated his numbers.
11. Jake Lamb-3B-Visalia Rawhide (A+)
Last 10 games: .389 AVG, 14 hits, 8 runs, 3 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 RBI, 8 walks, 8 Ks, .511 OBP
Season (Visalia): 50 games, .307 AVG, 54 hits, 34 runs, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 35 RBI, 40 walks, 54 Ks, .436 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 .362 in August with 7 extra base hits in 47 at-bats.
12. Michael Perez-C-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .286 AVG, 10 hits, 6 runs, 1 double, 6 RBI, 2 walk, 9 Ks, .308 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): 36 games, .250 AVG, 32 hits, 16 runs, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 11 RBI, 9 walks, 42 Ks, .253 OBP
*Notes: Every time we check back in with Perez, his batting average is on the upswing. He is hitting .289 in August thus far coming off of a July where he hit .200 and was sent down to South Bend from Visalia.
13. Nick Ahmed-SS-Mobile BayBears (AA)
Last 10 games: .325 AVG, 13 hits, 5 runs, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 RBI, 1 walk, 6 Ks, 7 stolen bases, .333 OBP
Season: 119 games, .229 AVG, 97 hits, 50 runs, 15 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs, 35 RBI, 29 walks, 69 Ks, 25 stolen bases, .282 OBP
*Notes: Just when you think Ahmed had leveled off after the hot June and most of July, he bounces back with a fantastic week like this. This week we also saw what he is made of with his base running ability. Stealing 7 bases and on being caught once while getting 13 hits in 40 at-bats. If he could find a way to get on-base via the walk, we could see the stolen bases numbers become that much more impressive.
14. Joe Munoz-SS-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last 10 games: .129 AVG, 4 hits, 4 runs, 3 double, 3 RBI, 4 walks, 10 Ks, .222 OBP.
Season: 42 games, .265 AVG, 40 hits, 23 runs, 10 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, 28 RBI, 14 walks, 47 Ks, 3 stolen bases, .333 OBP
*Notes: Welcome to the Munoz roller coaster! His batting average went from below .200 to above .300 in a 3 week span at the start of the season. Now he has seen his average drop more than 30 points in a two week span. He has shown flashes of greatness for Missoula. Now to just nail down that consistency.
15. Brandon Drury-3B/1B-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last 10 games: .235 AVG, 8 hits, 6 runs, 2 home runs, 7 RBI, 11 walks, 9 Ks, .422 OBP
Season: 120 games, .309 AVG, 146 hits, 71 runs, 46 doubles, 4 triples, 14 home runs, 81 RBI, 41 walks, 80 Ks, 1 stolen base, .365 OBP
*Notes: The one thing that really jumps off the page with Drury is .313 batting average with runners in scoring position. He isn’t coming off his best week by the numbers but he is still consistently driving in runs. That proven as he is the organizations leader in runs batted in.
16. Aaron Blair-RHP-South Bend Silver Hawks (A)
Last Week (South Bend): 1 start (loss), 6 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, 3 Ks, 3.00 ERA
Season (Hillsborough): 8 starts (1-1), 31 innings, 25 hits, 10 runs (all earned), 13 walks, 28 Ks, 2.90 ERA
*Notes: Like Braden Shipley, Blair was made his debut with South Bend and it was one of his better performances since being drafted by the Diamondbacks. His 6 innings equalled his longest yet it overall it was a very solid start despite picking up the loss.
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, 3.1 innings, 4 hits, 1 run (earned), 3 walks, 3 Ks, 2.90 ERA
Season: 49 relief appearances (3-6), 3 saves, 52.1 innings, 64 hits, 27 runs (23 earned), 29 walks, 54 Ks, 3.96 ERA.
*Notes: Marshall overall has been solid over the last few weeks. Some outings where he allows one run to cross home plate and some where he is lights out. One thing that has been consistent is he is still used in Reno a considerable amount with 2 to 4 relief appearances a week. He is a very valuable arm in their bullpen.
19. Felipe Perez-RHP-Missoula Osprey (R)
Last week: 1 start (loss), 1.2 innings, 10 hits, 9 runs (6 earned), 1 walks, 0 Ks, 45.00 ERA
Season: 11 starts (4-5), 2 complete games, 67.2 innings, 78 hits, 56 runs (35 earned), 15 walks, 32 Ks, 4.66 ERA
*Notes: Perez had another one of his blow up starts which we have seen from him this season. He has his star-studded ones as well, that’s been part of the roller coaster that he and his team are on. 10 hits in under 2 innings which included 3 home runs was pretty rough. Hopefully for him next time out is a start that gets him back on track.
20. Kevin Munson-RHP-Reno Aces (AAA)
Last week: 2 relief appearances, 2 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 0 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Season (Reno): 19 relief appearances (0-2), 1 save 19 innings, 19 hits, 10 runs (9 earned), 5 walks, 23 Ks, 4.26 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 has been a solid arm in the Aces pen all season. That’s the reason behind him recently being added as a top 20 prospect. If you take away 1 hick-up in August, he has thrown 5 scoreless innings in relief.
Top 20 prospect outstanding performer last week: Nick Ahmed-SS-Mobile BayBears
It is also worth noting that starting pitcher Brad Allen of South Bend tossed a no-hitter for the Silver Hawks last week. He issued a walk in the first inning and that was the last opponent to reach base.
Diamondbacks full minor league statistical hitting leaders:
-Hits: Chris Owings, SS, Reno Aces – 170 hits
-Home runs: Nick Evans, 3B, Mobile BayBears – 18 home runs
-Runs batted in: Brandon Drury, 3B, South Bend Silver Hawks – 81 RBI
Diamondbacks full minor league statistical pitching leaders:
-Wins: Andrew Chafin, LHP, Mobile – 13 wins
-Strikeouts: Archie Bradley, RHP, Visalia/Mobile – 150 Ks
-Earned Run Average: Brad Keller, RHP, AZL D-Backs – 1.84 ERA
