The Diamondbacks recently made a wave of promotions in the Minor Leagues
According to the MILB Transaction pages, the Diamondbacks have been active in promoting their players to the next level of the Minor Leagues. The Diamondbacks have a top-5/10 Minor League system in my opinion and it’s super exciting to see our future getting closer.
Reno Aces recent promotions:
Luis Frias : Frias is the #9 prospect in the Dbacks prospect rankings. He’s had a terrific year at Double-AA Amarillo Sod Poodles. He’s now only one stop away from the MLB. Don’t be surprised if he’s up in the MLB by mid-season 2022. Earlier this year, Frias threw a 7-inning No-Hitter for Amarillo. He’s only 23 and has climbed to Triple-AAA after beginning the year in High-A. His stats for this year (ERA isn’t good representation of his skill) are: 7-6, 4.72 ERA, 89.2 IP’s, 74 hits, 29 walks, and 106 K’s. His K/9 innings is a magnificent 10.6.
Alek Thomas: Alek’s the #4 ranked prospect in the organization. An outfielder who has terrific contact skills, defense, and speed has climbed the Minor Leagues to Triple-AAA after playing all year in Double-AA. He’s been a two-time Dbacks representative in the Futures Game (2019, 2021). He’s only 21 and could be the Diamondbacks center fielder of the future. Definitely expect him in the Majors by end of 2022. His stat-line for this year across both levels is: 74 games, .276, .371, .493, with 18 doubles, 8 triples, 10 HRs, 41 RBI’s, 9 SB, and a great walk to strikeout ratio of 40 to 66 respectively.
Amarillo Sod Poodles recent promotions:
Brandon Pfaadt: Brandon (22) was drafted in the 5th round of the 2020 draft. He’s risen a lot since then. He’s not currently ranked in the top-30 prospect rankings for the team. However, that will change soon if he keeps performing the way he is. He’s pitched great so far for the multiple Minor League teams he’s played for. He started the year in Low-A and has risen to Double-AA. I suspect he will go back to Double-AA next year. Expect him to make a push for the MLB in 2023. His stat-line for this year is: 7-6, 3.29 ERA, 1 shutout, 98.1 IP’s, 68 hits allowed, 21 walks, K’s, and an amazing11.3 K’s per 9.
Eduardo Diaz: Eduardo is originally from Venezuela. He’s 24 years old and has been with the Dbacks for his entire professional career. He’s risen from High-A to Double-AA this year. He has good power and speed although does have a prowess for strikeouts and low contact skills. His stat-line this year across the two levels is: .228, .278, .461, 7 doubles, 14 HR’s, 36 RBI’s, 11 SBs, 14 walks to 63 K’s in 57 games.
Drey Jameson pitches and gets 12 strikeouts for Double-AA Sod Poodles
Drey Jameson, the Diamondbacks #20 ranked prospect right now, just had a gem of a pitching performance. In 7 1/3 innings, Drey struck out 12 RockHounds batters. He walked none and allowed only 5 hits.
Drey has advanced to Double-AA this year where he’s performed amazing. In only 3 starts so far for them, he is 2-0 with a 2.24 ERA with four walks and 31 strikeouts in 20.1 IP’s.
Mitchell Stumpo ( amazing name and inspirational story) has continued his rapid ascent through the Minors and prospect rankings. The little-known reliever who went undrafted in 2019 has performed terrifically so far in 2021. The 25-year old right handed reliever has gone from Low-A to Double-AA over the course of the season. I think he will be in Chase Field sooner than later if he keeps performing like his stat-line currently. He’s currently 0-0 in 25 games, 39.1 IP’s, with a 2.52 ERA, 11 walks, and 53 K’s.
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Kristian Robinson news
Kristian Robinson, the #2 prospect in the Dbacks organization, finally had his court case settled. Back in early 2020, shortly after Covid hit, he was arrested for abandoning a car on the highway and punching an officer.
It was later revealed that Robinson had been suffering from severe mental health issues that was affecting his actions that day. Of course, no one in their right mind would ditch their car in the desert and just walk along the desert highway in hot temperatures.
Due to the court case proceeding slowly, he was allowed to return to his home country, the Bahamas, until the MLB figured out the minor league season for 2020. When it was figured out, Robinson was unable to get approved to come back to Arizona to train due to legal issues in the court. He’s missed all of this minor league season as well due to visa issues with his court case.
He finally got sentenced to 18 months probation that must be served in the United States. The only issue is that Robinson is not allowed to come back to the United States due to him being convicted. The US is still deciding on his Visa request. If his 18 months of probation was over, he would be allowed in.
He’s in a catch-22 in that he can’t serve his 18-month probation and get his career back on track unless he’s in the US. However, he can’t enter the US due to that issue. The Diamondbacks will surely be helping this 20 year old ballplayer who has a ton of talent. Not only just help him return to the field, but also to return to his girlfriend and child who live in Arizona.
Best of wishes and support to Kristian during this hard time.
As always,
May the Force be with You…