The Arizona Diamondbacks signing Corbin Burnes this holiday season was ultra-important from a needs perspective. Their farm system is brimming with talent on the offensive side, but Arizona lacks frontline, impact pitching talent at the top of their farm system.
The team has poured resources into bats in the Draft the last two years. And they’ll have the chance to draft in bulk this July, too.
DEVELOPMENTS
The cub’s top prospect is SS Jordan Lawlaw, a first-round pick in 2021 (6) who wows with tools and reached the majors in 2023. He missed most of 2024 due to injury, but returned late and continued his work this past fall in the Dominican Winter League.
Lawlar can do everything: Run, throw, hit, hit for average, and he’s plus at shortstop with plenty of arm strength. There’s quite a bit of Trea Turner here.
If Lawlar is healthy, he offers Arizona big-league regular at some point in 2025, perhaps right out of the gate, suggesting the club could have a decision to make with one of their current infielders.
Tommy Troy, the org’s 2023 first-round pick, hit a snag in both production and health in 2024, playing in just 72 games and slashing .234/.318/.363 in High-A. Troy projects as an everyday second baseman with above-average power and speed. The ETA depends on the hit tool.
Jansel Luis was 19 all year and impressed in the Cal League with a .265/.337/.414 slash in 109 games. He punched out 46 extra-base hits and swiped 20 bags.
Luis is managing two swings, making his consistency all the more profound, and his numbers are promising from each side, though he’s more comfortable as a left-handed batter where his power could reach above-average levels. He’s a few years away, but another solid year at the plate at High-A in 2025 busts his ETA profile.
Connor Foley may moved quickly to the upper levels of the minors based on pure stuff alone. It’s a good fastball up to 99 mph and a chance at two big-league secondaries, the best of which is a circle change.
Spencer Giesting doesn’t throw hard but executes four secondaries, including an above-average slider and cutter that’s gaining ground the more he uses it. He’s touched 92-93 but commands the pitch at 88-90. There may be more velocity to go get with more effort from his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame, but he’ll need to find a way to generate more value in the zone to continue up the ladder versus experienced hitters.
QUESTIONS
Arizona should have no issue finding offensive support in the coming years with their high school emphasis in recent drafts. That’s not to say it’s been sunshine and roses, however. The Diamondbacks need to find a way to get OF Druw Jones in the vicinity of his ceiling. To date, he hasn’t come close. Injuries and ineffectiveness have curbed his prospect shine.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 Draft, Jones played in just 41 games across his first two seasons in the organization. A torn labrum in his shoulder delayed the start of his career and lower-body injuries effectively took away most of his 2023.
Jones was able to stay on the field for much of 2024 and he did some good things in the process. In 109 games he stole 21 bags and hit 6 homers. His .275/.409/.405 slash was plenty acceptable for a 20-year-old getting his first extended taste of professional baseball.
A 28-percent strikeout rate leaves something to be desired on the hit tool front, but his career is still young.
Jones will undoubtedly be compared to the No. 1 overall pick, Jackson Holliday, for much of his career. Holliday made his big league debut this past April before Jones had played his 40th game at Low-A Visalia. It’s important to remember not all prospects develop the same way and a full season at High-A for a 21-year-old is more the norm than what Holliday has accomplished.
Jones isn’t the only question on the DBacks farm though. Finding reliable pitching in the coming years must become a priority. Arizona is excited about what Yilber Diaz could become in due time, but there’s relief risk as his strike-throwing has come and gone. He’ll be an integral part of the innings logged for the Diamondbacks in 2025.
Arizona is hoping one of Yu-Min Lin, Cristian Mena, Dylan Ray, or Landon Sims takes a step this spring. 2024 draftee Daniel Eagen is a name to track too. He possessed one of the best curveballs in the Draft and could surprise folks.
| LEVEL | TEAM | W-L | TOP PROSPECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | Reno | 79-70 | Yu-Min Lin, LHP |
| AA | Amarillo | 58-79 | Ivan Melendez, 1B/3B |
| A+ | Hillsboro | 69-62 | Tommy Troy, SS |
| A | Visalia | 67-64 | Druw Jones, OF |
| R | D-Backs | 39-21 | Slade Cladwell, OF |
| DSL | Red | 37-18 | Adriel Radney, OF |
| DSL | Black | 12-43 | Pedro Blanco, OF |
ADDITIONS & SUBTRACTIONS
The D-Backs’ farm activity started to slow beyond some spring training waiver work and a few DFAs of their own.
In July, the club acquired LHR A.J. Puk in exchange for 1B Deyvison De Los Santos and SS Andrew Pintar. Arizona then acquired 1B/DH Josh Bell from the Miami Marlins, then swapped RHR Dylan Floro for 3B Andres Chaparro.
In the draft, Arizona selected prep OF Slade Caldwell in Round 1, then followed up with OF Ryan Waldschmidt (PPI, 31), SS JD Dix (CB-A, 35), C Ivan Luciano (2), RHP Daniel Eagen (3), SS Tytus Cissell (4), and RHP Connor Foley (5).
In all, the Diamondbacks selected 12 arms and 10 position players.
GRADUATIONS
Blaze Alexander, SS
Slade Cecconi, RHP
Bryce Jarvis, RHP
BIG-LEAGUE RADAR
Ray, RHP
Ivan Melendez, 1B/3B
Giesting, LHP
Yu-Min Lin, LHP
SCOUT SAYS
“A few of their risks may pay off here soon but beyond a few players here and there they have struggled to produce plus regulars the last several years. They’ve gone for it in the draft; let’s see what comes out the other side…”
“(Jordan) Lawlar is a dude, but (Druw) Jones has a long way to go. I don’t see a lot of big toolboxes to dream on. But I did like their draft this last year.”
