The Diamondbacks are “possible” to advertise pitching prospect Yilber Diaz for his MLB debut subsequent week, based on Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The precise-hander would get the ball to begin Monday evening’s collection opener towards the Braves. Diaz is just not on the 40-man roster, however the Diamondbacks at present have an open spot on the 40-man, so they might not have to make a corresponding transfer to pick his contract.
Diaz made his skilled debut for the D-backs group in 2021. After pitching to a 4.17 ERA and three.66 FIP in 14 begins at Double-A between 2023 and ’24, he earned a promotion to Triple-A this June. In 4 begins with the Reno Aces, he has a 3.27 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 22 innings of labor. On the season, he has a formidable 33.2% strikeout fee in 15 outings between Double and Triple-A. The 23-year-old is averaging simply over 5 innings per begin.
Diaz is at present ranked because the #16 prospect within the Diamondbacks system, based on MLB Pipeline. Baseball America and Keith Legislation of the Athletic each had him at #15 on their preseason lists. Eric Longenhagen and Travis Ice of FanGraphs have been a little bit greater on Diaz, rating him #6 and expressing extra religion in each of his breaking balls (a slider and curve) to be potential plus pitches. In the end, nevertheless, all 4 sources agreed that the righty’s future is almost definitely within the bullpen. He throws a mid-90s fastball that may contact the high-90s; if his velocity have been to tick up out of the ’pen, he may very well be a flame-throwing aid weapon.
But, for now, Diaz stays a beginning pitcher, and he’ll tackle the largest check of his beginning profession on Monday. The Braves offense has struggled for a lot of the season, particularly towards right-handed pitching. Regardless, they’re going to be a far harder opponent than a Triple-A membership, and Diaz has hardly even confronted a lot Triple-A opposition.
Though the rookie would possibly profit from a bit extra seasoning within the minors, the Diamondbacks are a little bit determined for beginning pitching after Jordan Montgomery landed on the injured checklist final week. Rookie Cristian Mena made his MLB debut in Montgomery’s place on Wednesday, however the outcomes have been poor. He lasted solely three innings, giving up 4 earned runs on 4 hits, three walks, and two house runs. Mena struck out simply two of the 15 batters he confronted, and he has already been optioned again to Triple-A. The one different wholesome beginning pitcher on Arizona’s 40-man roster who isn’t already within the rotation is Tommy Henry, who has a 7.04 ERA in 38 1/3 MLB innings this season.
