Five Diamondbacks Prospects make MLB.com Top 100

By Joseph Jacquez |

Last night MLB.com and MLB Network revealed their top 100 prospects for the 2015 season, a list that was complied by Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLBPipeline.com. When constructing their list, they sought expert advice from the scouting industry, and made their final list based on their inside perspective.

Here are some of the requirements and information you should know about this list:

“To be eligible for a list, a player must have rookie eligibility. To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the 25-player limit period, excluding time on the disabled list or in military service.

Players are graded on a 20-80 scale for future tools — 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average.”

Five Diamondbacks made the top 100, which is a testament to the talented and depth filled farm system that the Snakes have built over the years. The five players are the third most of any organization, and represent a jump of two from last year.

The Top 100 doesn’t include Yoan Lopez or Yasmany Tomas because they are not eligible to be considered.

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Let’s take a look at which Dbacks prospects are in the top 100.

Archie Bradley-#15

The Dbacks group in the top 100 is headlined by right-hander Archie Bradley. The powerful right-hander has the stuff and the frame to be successful in the major leagues. Bradley was ranked number five on last years list, but he struggled with injuries and under-performance in 2014.

The stuff is still there. He has a fastball in the mid 90’s, a plus curveball which is his best secondary pitch, and his changeup gives him another quality pitch. He also recently started throwing a slider, and he had early success with it in the AFL.

The problem for Bradley has been his command and control, and I think if he can stay healthy, and be consistent with his delivery, he should have no problem reaching the bigs in 2015.

Braden Shipley-#41

Shipley has only been a full time pitcher for three years, but he certainly knows what he is doing on the mound. He was ranked 79th on last years list, and his rapid rise is a testament to his great 2014 season.

Shipley was Arizona’s first round pick in the 2013 draft, and has three swing and miss pitches: a mid-90’s fastball, a plus changeup, and a solid curveball. He moved from Class A to Double A in 2015, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he makes his big league debut this year.

Callis is really high on Shipley, and when I asked him on twitter about his ETA, he said that 2015 is a realistic possibility.

Jake Lamb-#80

Lamb put up monster numbers in the minors in 2014 putting up 35 doubles, 14 homers, and 79 RBI’s in 103 games for Mobile. He spent just five games in Triple A before being called up to the bigs.

Lamb is a good third basemen, and he did solid at the plate. He should compete for a spot in Spring Training, but with the acquisition of Tomas, and the depth in the infield, he could become a trade asset.

Aaron Blair-#81

I am really high on Blair. He is probably the Diamondbacks most polished pitching prospect. He went from South Bend to Double A in 2014 and went 4-1 with a 1.94 era with the BayBears.

He is a K machine, finishing second in the minor leagues with 171 strikeouts last year. He commands his mid 90’s fastball, changeup, and curveball really well, and could reach the majors before Shipley or Bradley.

Touki Toussaint-#98

The Dbacks took yet another premium arm in the 2014 draft, which is something they obviously need. Toussiant has a mid 90’s fastball, with a deadly 12-6 curveball, and a solid changeup. He should learn to better command his pitches and repeat his delivery as he ages.

The 18 year old pitched in Missoula last season and the Diamondbacks liked what they saw. He has a great future, and the Dbacks starting staff is in good hands for the future.

Top 30 prospect lists for each team will be revealed in March.

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