Diamondbacks Prospect Braden Shipley Throws Gem

By Guillermo Salcido | Aug 21, 2015

The Arizona Diamondbacks are starved for some rotational help. Chase Anderson and Jeremy Hellickson have been inconsistent, while also making appearances on the 15-Day DL. Patrick Corbin is still trying to ease his way back from Tommy John surgery and while Robbie Ray has been good, he’s slowed down from his excellent start to the season. Rubby De La Rosa has been on a roll as of late, but his season wasn’t exempt from hardship.

There’s no question that the Dbacks will call up some intriguing arms once rosters expand in September. Archie Bradley, who’s currently rehabbing, should be an option. Aaron Blair, one of Arizona’s finest prospects, also deserves a shot in the majors. One name that is starting to gain some momentum is Braden Shipley, of the Mobile BayBears.

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The Arizona 1st round pick from the 2013 MLB Draft is starting to get a hang of things. Blair, who was selected 21 picks later in the very same draft, leapfrogged Shipley in the eyes of Arizona management. This caused concern towards Shipley’s progression, especially after a sluggish start to the 2015 season. In MLB.com’s prospect rankings, Shipley checks in at #4 among Dbacks prospects.

Braden Shipley: 7 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K for @Mobile_BayBears.
#4 on @Dbacks Top 30: http://t.co/t1FpY2TMiG pic.twitter.com/wBKAQuRSCx
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 21, 2015

On Friday afternoon, Shipley twirled a very promising outing. In seven innings, Shipley only surrendered an unearned run and a measly three hits to the Jacksonville Suns. What’s curious about this victorious outing was that it only took him 77 pitches to complete seven innings. It appears that Shipley is on a innings limit, because he hasn’t surpassed seven innings all season.

Shipley’s not giving up many runs as of late, either. Shipley hasn’t allowed more than two runs in a game in the past month. In the beginning of July, his ERA sat at 4.56. Now that we’re in the end of August, Shipley’s ERA sits at 3.43. What a timely turnaround for Shipley, especially with roster expansion looming.

If Shipley does not get a call to Phoenix this season, a trip to Reno should at least be the consolation. After dominating in Mobile, Blair received his call to the Aces and has adjusted quite nicely. If Shipley can duplicate those efforts, the Dbacks are going to be sitting really pretty in 2016.

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