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 Visalia Rawhide. 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. Check out the Reno Aces Hot/Cold Pitchers.
The Arizona Diamondbacks Single-A Visalia Rawhide Hot/Cold Pitchers
Hot: Liam Norris
Norris is a favorite prospect of mine. He just gives me a good feeling when I see him pitch that he has a future in the MLB. He's proven that he belongs on my top-30 prospects list with his performance over the last two weeks. During that time, he went 1-0 in 2 starts with a 3.38 ERA in 8.0 innings. He allowed 3 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, and struck out 6. The walks are an issue, but the limited contact he gave up is a good sign. Keep it up Liam.
Cold: Jose Cabrera
Cabrera has thrown the most innings in the last two weeks with the Rawhide, yet they weren't great. In his 2 starts, he went 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA. In those 12 innings, he gave up 12 hits, 8 runs, 2 walks, and 11 strikeouts. He'll have to limit the contact damage if he wants to make it to Double-A soon.
Hot: Carlos Meza
Meza has been on fire out of the bullpen the last two weeks. He appeared in 4 games with a 0-1 record and a save. He threw 5.2 innings and only gave up 4 hits, 2 runs, and walked 4. The biggest highlight is he struck out a whopping 11 batters. That's more than 2 per inning. An impressive display of ability. Meza could be bumped up a level soon if he keeps this up.
Cold: Yu-Min Lin
Lin has endured a lot of contact over his last 2 starts and 8.2 innings. He had a 5.19 ERA during that time and gave up 14 hits, 7 runs, 3 walks, and struck out 13. Lin has innate strikeout ability but must stop leaving pitches over the plate. Perhaps Lin is best suited to the bullpen, but he has proven he can pitch. Just has to avoid the hits.
Hot: Yaifer Perdomo
Perdomo has pitched in 2 games, 5.2 innings, and allowed only 2 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 7. That's pretty good numbers for a reliever. I would like to see him have pitched in more games, but the potential is there for a swing reliever in the upper levels.
Cold: Peniel Otano
Otano has struggled in his two starts in the last two weeks, He has a 6.43 ERA and a 0-1 record during that time. In his 7 innings, he struck out 9 but gave up 3 walks, 8 hits, and 7 runs. Once again, with him being a young pitcher, it's hard to avoid the contact. Yet, he has to if he wants to raise another level. He has hit/miss ability but will have to stop leaving so many pitches over the plate.
Hot Honorable Mentions for Visalia Rawhide: Eric Mendez, Listher Sosa, and Alfred Morillo
Cold Honorable Mentions for Visalia Rawhide: Josh Swales, Zach Barnes, Alex Valdez