Attended Duke University from 2018-20 and majored in mechanical engineering. Tossed the first perfect game in the program's 131-year history and 31st in NCAA Division I history during his junior season on Feb. 21, 2020 vs. Cornell University @ Athletic Park, home of the Triple-A Durham Bulls. Was the second-ever first-round selection out of Duke (first: Marcus Stroman in 2012). Recruited as a two-way player out of Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy outside of Nashville, but decided his freshman year of college to focus strictly on pitching. Selected by the Yankees in the 37th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft but did not sign. His father, Kevin, pitched 12 MLB seasons (1994-97, 1999-2006) with 10 different organizations (Reds, Tigers, Twins, A's, Rockies, Padres, Mariners, Cardinals, D-backs and Red Sox). Played for Arizona in 2006 (wore No. 32) and later worked as a scout for the D-backs, Padres and Angels. As an eight-year-old, after his dad was traded from the D-backs to the Red Sox, he would shag balls in the outfield during batting practice at Fenway Park off the bats of Manny Ramirez and Hall-of-Famer David Ortiz.
2024
Limited to 44 games and went 1-2 with a 3.19 ERA (21 ER in 59.1 IP) and 38 strikeouts in his second season with the D-backs...Placed on the 15-day IL on July 31 (sprained right elbow) and missed the rest of the regular season...Made his first Opening Day roster...Led the club with 12 relief appearances of 2+ innings¡worked 3.0 innings 3 times and 2.0+ innings nine times...Limited hitters with runners in scoring position to a .239 AVG (16-for-67) with 12 walks and 12 strikeouts...Limited righties to a .232 AVG (32-for-138)/.706 OPS with 17 walks and 27 strikeouts...Off his four-seamer (34.4% usage) limited hitters to a .214 AVG (15-for-70) with 13 strikeouts¡ limited opponents to a .233 AVG (17-for-73) off his slider (23.7% usage) with 19 strikeouts and a 29.5% whiff...Led D-backs relievers in April with 13 strikeouts in 11 games, ahead of Kevin Ginkel (10)...His 15.1 innings in April were tied for fourth most among NL relievers...Did not allow an earned run in a season-high 10 straight games (1 R in 11.0 IP) and no extra-base hits from May 11-June 1...Led D-backs relievers in appearances (11) in May, ahead of Joe Mantiply, Justin Martinez and Ryan Thompson (10 games)...His 16.2 innings in June were tied for fifth most among NL relievers...Did not allow an earned run in a season-best 10 consecutive road games (14.2 IP) from May 11- July 3¡went 1-1 with a 0.95 WHIP, opponent .149 AVG (7-for-47)/.443 OPS and 1 extra-base hit during the span...Recorded his first win of the season and third of his career on July 3 @ Dodgers (last: Sept. 6, 2023 vs. Rockies)...Had his best month in July, going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA (2 ER in 12 IP), opponent .238 AVG (10- for-42)/.612 OPS, six walks and nine strikeouts in 10 games¡led D-backs relievers with a 1.50 ERA (2 ER in 12 IP) and finished eighth among NL relievers [min. 10 G].
2023
Went 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA (8 ER in 23.2 IP) in 11 games (one start) in his first season with the D-backs. Started the year with Double-A Amarillo and was promoted to Triple-A Reno after three starts. Made his Major League debut on Aug. 15 @ Rockies (one ER in 3.0 IP, three K). Became the third-youngest D-backs pitcher and sixth overall to make their MLB debut @ Rockies¡his 3.0 innings in relief tied the most by a reliever in a D-backs debut @ Coors Field (also: Matt Peacock, 2021). Recorded his first win on Aug. 19 @ Padres [GM 2] (W; ER in 3.2 IP). Earned his first home win on Sept. 6 vs. Rockies (W; zero ER in 2.0 IP). seven of his 10 relief appearances were 2.0+ innings. Held righties to .151 (8-for-53) with a .180 OBP and lefties to .207 (6-for-29). Opponents went just 3-for-16 (.188) with runners in scoring position. Limited opponents to .220 (11-for-50) off his four-seamer¡held hitters to .087 (2-for-23) off his slider with a 32.6 whiff percent. Went 7-5 with a 5.26 ERA (54 ER in 92.1 IP) and 96 strikeouts in 24 games (16 starts) with Reno. In his 16 starts with the Aces, was 6-5 with a 5.40 ERA (48 ER in 80.0 IP) and 83 strikeouts¡went 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA (two ER in 18.2 IP), 1.07 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in his final three outings. Made the NL Wild Card roster but did not make an appearance.
2022
Went 3-6 with a 8.27 ERA (98 ER in 106.2 IP) with 110 strikeouts in 25 starts with Double-A Amarillo... Named Texas League Pitcher of the Week (April 11-17) after allowing one run over 6.0 innings @ Tulsa on April 16... Tossed 2 10-strikeout performances (May 15 @ Springfield and July 27 vs. Corpus Christi)... Entered 2022 rated by MLB Pipeline as the D-backs No. 6 prospect.
