2014 Season - Down On The Farm (April)

It's that time of year, time to head on down to the farm and take a look at how the Arizona farm system is doing. More specifically, we will be looking at the progress of the Diamondbacks most promising prospects. With the way the season has started for the MLB club, we may see alot of these guys in the bigs sooner than expected.

RHP, Braden Shipley (Grade : B+, A South Bend)

Braden has become the crown jewel of the Diamondbacks farm system pitching with Archie Bradley getting shipped off to the Yankees in 2013. Shipley isn't nearly as major league ready as Bradley, starting his second season in A ball, but the former SS pitched well enough in two levels of A ball to get the attention of scouts. Shipley utilizes three quality pitches (90's fastball, change, curve) to throw strikes, if he continues to improve he should see some time in AA or AAA. Many expect Shipley to make his MLB debut in 2015 which means they need to see what he can do in Reno.

RHP Aaron Blair (Grade : B, Class A South Bend)

A teammate of Shipley, and fellow 1st rounder out of college, Blair is a few steps behind and figures to make the majors in 2016. Blair's secondary offerings aren't as polished as some, but he has pitched well to start the season (1-2, 4.04ERA, 1.09WHIP) by striking out more than a batter per inning (35.2IP : 44K) in six starts.

RHP Matt Barnes (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)

Shoulder tenderness, which shut him down during Spring Training, has prevented Barnes from pitching yet much in 2014. 

RHP Jake Barrett (Grade : B-, Double-A Mobile)

Originally drafted in the 3rd round by Arizona in 2012, Barrett returned to the Diamondbacks in the Werth trade. He has been his usual self to start the season; throwing hard for strikes. Why Arizona hasn't called him up or given him a shot to close is a mystery, but he could very well be up in 2015 if Jim Johnson and Joakim Soria don't pan out. Barrett has 7K in 9.0IP so far.

RHP Alex Colome (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)

Alex Colome is currently serving a 50-game ban for PEDs.

LHP David Holmberg (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)

He isn't seen as a front end starter due to his average stuff, be he throws strikes and projects as a durable pitching option. Unfortunately the jump from Double-Mobile to Triple-A Reno has not been kind, starting the season with an 0-3 mark in only 9.1IP (14.46ERA, 2.57WHIP). Fans shouldn't sleep on Holmberg, if he can right the ship and get back to throwing strikes he might be a valuable call-up toward the end of the season or in 2015.

3B Jake Lamb (Grade : B-, Double-A Mobile)

Lamb has been a pleasant surprise for Diamondbacks fans. Over the last two seasons, through rookie ball and Class-A Advance, Lamb has shown he can hit for power, average, and has good plate discipline. He has also shown he can stick at the hot corner as a good defender. Yes, he looked good at the plate in the hitter friendly California league, but his power has stayed with him through the start of the season in Double-A Mobile. His slash line has taken a hit against more advanced pitching, but at 23 he still has room for growth. With Lonnie Chisenhall looking vulnerable, Lamb could be the 3B of the future for Arizona.

SS Luis Sardinas (Grade : B-, Double-A Mobile)

Sardinas, who came over from the Cubs in the Jayson Werth trade, has not hit very well to start 2014. His hitting isn't turning heads, but his defense has been solid enough to earn a call-up to the bigs. Injuries to Brian Roberts and JJ Hardy forced the Diamondbacks to call him up as a utility man, passing over the more seasoned Grant Green, but with his bat needing development they sent him back down soon after. Sardinas' speed (32SB in 2012 and 2013) and glove are very dependable, his hitting will help determine if he is a future All-Star or a career utility man.

SS Sergio Alcantara (Grade : C+, Rookie AZL)

High potential rookie showed excellent plate discipline in 2013 (44BB in 48GP), but did not hit particularly well. Still 17, projects to be a good defender, has yet to play this season.

RHP Jimmy Sherfy (Grade : C+, Class-A Advanced Visalia)

Sherfy started off the season a little under the radar, but he has absolutely torched hitters to start the season. Sherfy is 2-0 (3.27ERA, 1.00WHIP) with an eye watering 23K in 11.0IP, which continues his trend of striking out nearly two batters per inning (52K in 28.1IP).

RHP Matt Stites (Grade : C+, Double-A Mobile)

Stites is in competition with Jake Barrett to take over the closer / set-up man role for the Diamondbacks.  Through 12.0IP he has looked good, striking out just under a batter per inning and posting a 1.08WHIP. If Stites can keep it up for the remainder of the season he should see a call-up to Triple-A Reno and possibly a trip to Phoenix.


OF Justin Williams (Grade : C+, Class A South Bend)

Williams has a similar profile to Alcantara, but they are almost total opposites at the plate and on defense. Williams, 17 at the time, struggled on defense often showing his age. At the plate, Williams showed a lack of plate discipline but flat-out raked when he wasn't striking out. He has considerable flaws to overcome, but he also has considerable potential. Williams has yet to play in 2014.