Arizona Diamondbacks Hot/Cold Reno Aces Pitchers Edition
The Arizona Diamondbacks have one of the best MiLB systems in the MLB.
Their prospects are ranked among the top 3 in the MLB. That's a huge credit to the work of GM Mike Hazen and his team It speaks to the hard work of the coaches too. On an off day for the minor leagues, I figured we would take a look at the hot/cold pitchers for the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league teams like the Reno Aces. This is a good reminder of the players that will soon play for the Diamondbacks. It also serves as a potential time journey into the future of who might reach the MLB. These names will be limited to only those that classify as prospects and that aren't in the MLB.
The Arizona Diamondbacks Triple-A Reno Aces Hot/Cold Pitchers
Hot: Brandon Pfaadt
The rising ace of the Reno Aces has been tremendous this year. He's risen to be the Diamondbacks' No.4 prospect in the vaunted system over the past amazing 1 1/2 years. Pfaadt has become a certifiable future ace for the Diamondbacks, in my opinion at least. He has started 3 games over the last two weeks, gone 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA. He threw 19 innings and gave up 11 hits, 5 runs, 5 walks, and 22 strikeouts. The only worry is the four home runs he's given up, but considering he plays in Coors Field Jr, I'm not as worried. Just check out his excellent spin rates below. Brandon Pfaadt
might get a call-up in September so keep your eye out.
Cold: Ryne Nelson
Ryne is another elite Diamondbacks prospect that has the potential to be an ace or a late-inning reliever. He's hit a bit of a wall these past two weeks and three games started. He has thrown 17 innings of 6.35 ERA ball. In that time, he gave up 12 runs, 22 hits, 5 walks, and only struck out 14. This is a bump in the road for a pitcher that has risen through the minor league levels quite fast. He's in my top-12 prospect rankings for the Dbacks.
Hot: Mitchell Stumpo
Not only is his name fun to say, but Stump has been proving that he can be the Diamondbacks' closer of the future. His elite command and fastball have allowed him to rise quickly through the ranks. A top-20 prospect in my opinion, Stump has pitched in 4 games in the last two weeks. During that time, he gave up zero runs, 3 hits, and struck out 4 in 4.1 innings of work. He was 1/1 in save chances. Mitchell Stumpo might get a call-up in September so keep your eye out.
Cold: Drey Jameson
Drey Jameson throws hard, topping over 100 mph multiple times. He has elite potential if he can put it all together. When he is on, he's unhittable. Drey is another prospect that has the potential to be a strong starter or back-end reliever. These last two weeks have been trying for Drey. He has started 2 games, going 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA. He threw 14 innings, giving up 18 hits, 7 runs, 3 walks, and only 11 strikeouts. Jameson has the talent to right the ship in the next couple of weeks.
Hot: Blake Workman
Another reliever with closer potential is Workman. Blake has risen through the levels this year up to Triple-A. With the Reno Aces, Workman has appeared in 3 games and 1 start in the last two weeks showing that he can serve as an "opener". Over those appearances, he threw 4.1 innings and gave up 5 hits, 1 run, zero walks, and 4 strikeouts. Workman is another name to keep an eye in September. He's in my top-30 prospects list.
Cold: Luis Frias
Frias is another pitcher that has the ability to start or relieve. In the MLB, he's mainly relieved. With the Reno Aces, he usually starts, but not in the past two weeks. He's appeared in 4 games out of the bullpen using his strong curveball/fastball mix. Although he won a game, his 6.1 innings left a lot to be desired. He gave up 7 hits, 4 runs, and 3 walks, but did strike out 10. He'll live and die by the fastball. Look for Frias to make a comeback if he wants to get in the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen by the end of the year.
Hot Honorable Mentions for the Reno Aces pitchers: Jeff Bain, Miguel Aguilar
Cold Honorable Mentions for the Reno Aces pitchers: Taylor Widener