Arizona Diamondbacks: Prospects Off To Impressive Start
Prospects of the Arizona Diamondbacks are swinging the bats well and pitchers recording outs.
If, sometime, during the season, the Arizona Diamondbacks seek help from their minor-league system, numbers will likely be inflated. That’s the usual reality from Double-A or Triple-A players on their way to the majors.
For Arizona prospects at Triple-A Reno to make the move, decision-makers may turn an eye on numbers. That’s especially true about pitchers. While the Reno Aces reside in the Pacific Coast League, that circuit tends to be hitters’ paradise. Pitchers tend run up inflated ERAs and batting averages manage to run significant higher.
The same can be said for the Jackson Generals of the Southern League, the Diamondbacks’ Double-A affiliate. Here in the opening weeks of the season, numbers look imposing. Still, there are several prospects after this fortnight of play worthy of attention.
Kevin Medrano, shortstop – Jackson
During spring training, Medrano was reduced to playing in the late innings, and never regarded as one player destined to make the Diamondbacks’ opening day roster. Assigned to Jackson, Medrano, who started the season as the Generals’ shortstop, is off to a blistering batting average of close to .400.
In his first 11 games with Jackson, Medrano was hitting 389 with six RBIs. Originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011, Medrano, at 5-11, 172 pounds and out of Missouri State University, decided not to sign with the Redbirds. Eventually, Medrano was drafted by the Diamondbacks on the 18th round of the 2012 draft. Last season with Mobile, he was named to the Southern League all-star team and a freshman all-American in 2009.
Playing for Advanced-A Visalia, Medrano’s enjoyed his best professional season in 2014. That’s when he hit .284 in 114 games and drove in a career-high 45 runs.