With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the D-backs¡¯ Top 30 prospects are projected to start:
1. Jordan Lawlar (MLB No. 11), SS ¨C Triple-A Reno injured list (right thumb surgery)
2. Tommy Troy (MLB No. 70), SS -- Hillsboro (High-A)
3. Druw Jones (MLB No. 74), OF -- Visalia (Single-A)
4. Yu-Min Lin, LHP -- Amarillo (Double-A)
5. Gino Groover, 3B -- Hillsboro (High-A)
6. Jansel Luis, SS/2B -- Visalia (Single-A)
7. Cristofer Torin, SS/2B -- Visalia (Single-A)
8. Ivan Melendez, 3B/1B -- Amarillo (Double-A)
9. Dylan Ray, RHP ¨C Amarillo Double-A injured list (forearm flexor strain)
10. Ruben Santana, 3B -- Visalia (Single-A)
11. Cristian Mena, RHP -- Reno (Triple-A)
12. Jorge Barrosa, OF ¨C Arizona (MLB)/Reno (Triple-A)
13. Jack Hurley, OF -- Hillsboro (High-A)
14. Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B/1B -- Amarillo (Double-A)
15. A.J. Vukovich, OF -- Amarillo (Double-A)
16. Yilber Diaz, RHP -- Amarillo (Double-A)
17. Kristian Robinson, OF -- Injured (right shoulder sprain)
18. Slade Cecconi, RHP -- Reno (Triple-A)
19. Caden Grice, LHP -- Visalia (Single-A)
20. Adriel Radney, OF ¨C Dominican Republic complex
21. Blaze Alexander, SS -- Arizona (MLB)
22. Grayson Hitt, LHP -- Injured (Tommy John rehab)
23. Ricardo Yan, RHP -- Hillsboro (High-A)
24. Landon Sims, RHP -- Visalia (Single-A)
25. Christian Cerda, C -- Hillsboro (High-A)
26. Andrew Saalfrank, LHP -- Reno (Triple-A)
27. Justin Martinez, RHP -- Reno (Triple-A)
28. Blake Walston, LHP -- Reno (Triple-A)
29. Gian Zapata, OF -- Extended spring training
30. Caleb Roberts, OF/C/1B -- Amarillo (Double-A)
Team to watch
The D-backs' Top 30 is pretty well spread across the four full-season levels, but the most intrigue might be with Single-A Visalia. Jones will be looking to bounce back after hamstring and quad injuries and hitting struggles led to a rough first full season. His power, speed and defense continue to play, however, and that keeps him on the Top 100. The Rawhide infield should be a fun follow with Luis, Torin and Santana all sharing the same dirt, and that trio brings a combination of contact skills, power and overall athleticism to the California League. Grice and Sims are also quality college arms that could carve up Single-A bats this spring, adding another layer of intrigue.
Players we could see in 2024
The D-backs made it clear that Lawlar wouldn¡¯t usurp Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop this spring, but he could have pushed for an early return to the bigs at Reno if not for a right thumb injury that required surgery. He could be out for the first two months of the season. Barrosa was already an early callup when Arizona needed outfield help, and his plus-plus defense will continue to be ready and waiting for his next promotion after he was optioned Thursday. Cecconi, Saalfrank and Martinez have Major League experience already and will serve as depth for the pitching corps in the early stages of 2024.
New faces
Most of the 2023 Draft picks in the Top 30 have already debuted. That includes Grice, who went 3-for-11 with a homer in a four-game stretch as a hitter in the Arizona Complex League. The D-backs view the former Clemson star as a pitcher primarily, however, and he¡¯s still yet to make his Minor League debut on the bump. The 6-foot-6 left-hander brings an above-average slider and changeup to the Rawhide, and he could take off with increased focus on pitching.
On the shelf
Beyond Lawlar, Robinson suffered a sprained right shoulder last month that forced him out of the Spring Breakout game. He didn¡¯t receive an Opening Day assignment as he continues his buildup toward the season. Ray was placed on the Amarillo 60-day injured list on March 22 with a forearm flexor strain. The D-backs are targeting late May or early June for his return to game action.