Checking In On the Dbacks Top 5 Prospects: Dansby Swanson Debuts

No.2 Prospect: Aaron Blair-RHP

In my mind Aaron Blair is the Diamondbacks no.2 prospect ahead of Braden Shipley and it really isn’t close right now.

Shipley (2013), and Blair (2014) were taken in consecutive drafts, and both have pitched together in the minors.

Blair was promoted to Double A (2014), and Triple A (2015) first and has excelled at all levels since joining the Dbacks system.

In 13 starts with the Mobile BayBears, Blair went 6-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 83.1 IP before being promoted to the Reno Aces on June 17th. 

In 8 starts with the Aces, he is 5-1 with a very respectable 3.38 ERA in 48.0 IP. He has struck out 44 while only walking 18, and opposing batters are hitting just .249 against him.

Blair was dominant in his last start pitching 6 scoreless innings allowing just 6 hits, and striking out 8. He didn’t walk anybody for the first time at the Triple A level.

His 2 offspeed pitchers a curveball and a changeup are considered to be above average, and he has a fastball that will touch 95 mph.

I have always been high on Blair, and dont be suprised if Blair gets the call to the Dbacks when rosters expand next month.