The Diamondbacks are “seemingly” 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 sequence opener towards the Braves. Diaz just isn’t on the 40-man roster, however the Diamondbacks presently have an open spot on the 40-man, so they’d not must make a corresponding transfer to pick out 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 price in 15 outings between Double and Triple-A. The 23-year-old is averaging simply over 5 innings per begin.
Diaz is presently ranked because the #16 prospect within the Diamondbacks system, based on MLB Pipeline. Baseball America and Keith Regulation of the Athletic each had him at #15 on their preseason lists. Eric Longenhagen and Travis Ice of FanGraphs had been a bit increased on Diaz, rating him #6 and expressing extra religion in each of his breaking balls (a slider and curve) to be potential plus pitches. Finally, nevertheless, all 4 sources agreed that the righty’s future is most definitely within the bullpen. He throws a mid-90s fastball that may contact the high-90s; if his velocity had been to tick up out of the ’pen, he may very well be a flame-throwing reduction weapon.
But, for now, Diaz stays a beginning pitcher, and he’ll tackle the largest take a look at 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 may profit from a bit extra seasoning within the minors, the Diamondbacks are a bit determined for beginning pitching after Jordan Montgomery landed on the injured listing final week. Rookie Cristian Mena made his MLB debut in Montgomery’s place on Wednesday, however the outcomes had been poor. He lasted solely three innings, giving up 4 earned runs on 4 hits, three walks, and two dwelling 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.
