Diamondbacks prospects
- 1B/3B Ivan Melendez (Diamondbacks #7 ranked prospect)
- SP Yu-Min Lin (Diamondbacks #10 ranked prospect)
- OF/1B Dominic Canzone (Diamondbacks #19 ranked prospect)
- IF Ryan Bliss (Diamondbacks #29 ranked prospect)
The Diamondbacks have had quite a fun season and they are not just winning at the MLB level. Several of their top prospects have showcased what the future might look like at Chase Field.
From home runs to stellar pitching, Arizona’s farm system has seen it all this season; no wonder the farm system is ranked in the top 5 in all of baseball.
You could make a long list of D-back prospects that have impressed so far in 2023, but let’s look at 4 that are catching the eyes of everyone around them.
1B/3B Ivan Melendez (Diamondbacks #7 ranked prospect)
It’s not surprising at all that Melendez’s nickname is “The Hispanic Titanic.” This dude can crush a baseball.
So far in 2023, Melendez has played 31 games in High-A (Hillsboro). He has hit 10 doubles, 9 HRs, and he has racked up 25 RBIs. He also has an impressive slugging percentage of .602!
To put that into perspective, Astros DH Yordan Alvarez is currently 3rd in the MLB in slugging percentage with a .582 mark.
Melednez might be the hottest hitter in the minors right now. In Ivan’s last 10 games, he has 10 extra-base hits, 10 RBIs, and a slugging percentage of .861. This man can’t be stopped…
SP Yu-Min Lin (Diamondbacks #10 ranked prospect)
Staying in Hillsboro, Lin is having a very efficient season with the Hops.
Through 8 starts, he has recorded an ERA of 3.58, a WHIP of 0.98, and a batting average against of .204.
Now I realize that the overall ERA reflects that he hasn’t dominated, but sometimes overall ERAs can be deceiving when it comes to the true performance of a pitcher.
After getting off to a slow beginning, let’s take a look at his last 5 starts. Over his last 5 starts, Lin has pitched 24 innings and posted a 2.63 ERA. In those 24 innings, he has struck out 34 batters and only walked 5. I would say that is the definition of dominate.
His overall strikeout and walk per 9 innings numbers are off the charts and oh yeah, I forgot to mention; he is only 19 years old. This kid is going to be a star for the D-backs one day…
OF/1B Dominic Canzone (Diamondbacks #19 ranked prospect)
If you have read my prospect writing in the past you know how much I love the way Canzone plays the game.
I have said it before and I will say it again, this kid rakes. In 48 games at AAA Reno, Canzone is putting up unreal numbers.
Here is where Canzone sits among players in the Pacific Coast League currently: 4th in RBIs, 5th in strikeout percentage, 7th in HRs, 8th in slugging percentage, and 10th in OPS.
I would be very surprised if Canzone does not get called up at some point this season. His bat is just too lethal to stay in the minors.
IF Ryan Bliss (Diamondbacks #29 ranked prospect)
Ryan Bliss is the definition of an athlete. This man can do a little bit of everything on a baseball field.
Bliss is enjoying quite the year offensively at AA Amarillo. In 44 games, Bliss has a batting average of .374, an OPS of 1.000, and he has also swiped 18 bags.
Bliss is currently leading the Texas league in batting average. The player in second is .39 points behind him! The ability to get on base at an elite level and to steal bags at a high rate makes Bliss a must-watch at the ballpark!
Not to mention that Bliss is also a plus defender!
These 4 all have the potential to take the MLB by storm one day…