Sep 20, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Didi Gregorius hits a RBI single against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Skaggs (10), Archie Bradley (24), Didi Gregorious (63), Matt Davidson (77) and Adam Eaton (99) all were named to the talented group of prospects released late this afternoon.

Skaggs, Gregorious and Eaton all have a chance to make the team out of Spring Training with Eaton and Skaggs having the best chances to make a big impact this season. Gregorious has an outside shot to win the shortstop position, but he and Davidson will most likely start the season at Class AAA Reno. Bradley will most likely begin the season at Class AA Mobile.

Sept. 18, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Adam Eaton (6) slides into third base during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks beat the Padres 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Congratulations to the prospects involved and congratulations to the Arizona Diamondbacks for getting five players named to this prestigious list today.

Paul Goldschmidt heads an impressive 2009 draft class for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Image: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The guy with the most success from that class is first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, drafted in the eighth round and is already an impact bat for the Snakes.  He figures to take on a bigger role this season as he matures and also to make up for the lost production of Justin Upton.  Davidson, the 35th overall pick, is listed as mlb.com’s sixth-ranked third base prospect.   As the roster may continue to shuffle, the 21-year old could be in line for a September call-up and the teams’s starting third baseman in less than two years.  A.J. Pollock a first round selection, (17th overall) had 81 at-bats with the big club in 2012 and despite the crowded outfield, could see even more time in 2013.  Arizona’s first pick (16th overall) Bobby Borchering was traded last Summer for Chris Johnson who was then traded with Upton to the Atlanta Braves for five players including Martin Prado.  Given that Kevin Towers has spoken publicly about stockpiling of up-the-middle guys, infielder Chris Owings, taken in the second round figures to have an impact for the D’backs either with the team or used to acquire more talent.  Fifth round selection Ryan Wheeler was traded this offseason for pitcher Matt Reynolds, a lefty who will give Arizona some more bullpen depth. 

Whether it is on the field or used in trades, the class of 2009 for the D’backs has played a significant role in shaping the team’ s identity.  We hope this translates to many victories on the field and more fans at Chase Field.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks have high hopes for prospect Matt Davidson, who put up big numbers for Class AA Mobile last season

One name that is left out of that mix is the man who many consider the third baseman of the future for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Matt Davidson. Davidson currently plies his trade with the Class AA Mobile BayBears of the Southern League. Davidson was recently rated as the #4 prospect in the entire Diamondbacks farm system and the #97 rated prospect in all of the minor leagues by Baseball America.

The 21-year-old Davidson is in his fourth season in the minor leagues. Last season for Mobile, he hit .261 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI’s in 135 games. The year before, the 6’2, 235 lbs. third baseman was in Class A Visalia where he hit .277 with 20 home runs and 106 RBI’s in 135 games.

This fall, Davidson was invited along with other top prospects to play in the Arizona Fall League with the Salt River Rafters. He has worked very closely with former D’backs third baseman Matt Williams, who happens to manage the Rafters, to improve his defense at the hot corner. Both Williams and former Arizona shortstop Jay Bell have been very complimentary of Davidson, citing his work ethic and his tremendous power potential as reasons why the D’backs should feel very pleased with how the future stacks up.

Williams feels that Davidson will need to gain some more mobility to stay at third, but that it is entirely possible that Davidson could find himself in the big leagues soon if he continues to progress. During the Fall League, Davidson is hitting .200 with two home runs and six RBI’s in 40 at-bats so far. But, Williams is more impressed with the maturity that he has shown when faced with adversity.

“He might be more of a natural first baseman because of his size, but he has worked very hard to become a good third baseman. There is a need in the organization,” Williams told MLB.com earlier this fall.

If the D’backs feel that none of the current players on the roster can get the job done at third base, they could give Davidson a shot at competing for the job in Spring Training. But, it is way more likely that Davidson will continue his career at Class AA Mobile or Class AAA Reno this season. He is young and needs more seasoning in professional baseball before being exposed full-time to the big league atmosphere.

If he continues to improve his defense and cuts down on his strikeouts, you could see Davidson in Arizona next season. But, patience is a virtue and Davidson will use this extra time to iron out the wrinkles in his game so that when he does arrive, he is fully ready to contribute to the major league club.