Life on the Farm: Diamondbacks Minor League Weekly Report

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Aaron Blair (70) poses for a portrait during Photo Day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Mobile BayBears, AA

The BayBears are sitting at 24-24 after going 2-3 last week. The pitching was very up and down, as has been the case most of the season and the hitting has been streaky.

Braden Shipley, one of the top prospects in the system, had another rough start in a loss to the Tennessee Smokies. He lasted a brief 4.2 innings, giving up 6hits and 3 earned runs. That’s three straight poor outings.

Aaron Blair on the other hand is doing everything he can to get the call up, and although the team as expressed an interest in letting him perfect his game more in the minors, he may be the best bet to get called up if the Diamondbacks can go on a prolonged run and the playoffs are in sight (which is not yet out of the realm of possibilities). In his lone start last week, he went 7 innings with 3 hits, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts. He also managed the game winning triple in that contest.

Remember David Hernandez? He made the move up from Visalia for the next stop on his rehab tour after Tommy John surgery. He appeared twice, pitching 2 innings with 3 strikeouts and no hits allowed. If the Hernandez we all know and love returns soon, he could make a real push for the closer role for the big club the way the rest of the staff has held up lately.