The season has come to a close, with the exception of the Arizona Fall League, but for the most part the Diamondbacks system is quiet. It was a disappointing season for the Diamondbacks, but there is some hope brewing the minors. Thanks to some players taking some serious steps forward, and some promising draft picks, it looks like the strength of the system is pitching.
RHP, Braden Shipley (Grade : B+, Double-A Mobile)
Made his way through three levels (Class-A, Class-A Advanced, and Double-A) and looked good everywhere. Slowed down a bit in Double-A and finished the year with a 7-8 record, but his stock is holding steady going into 2015.
RHP Aaron Blair (Grade : B, Double-A Mobile)
Basically shadowed Shipley through three levels, but had better results and pitched well enough that his stock is on the way up. Should enter 2015 as a B+, but there is some chatter that Blair (not Shipley) is the best pitching prospect in Arizona.
RHP Matt Barnes (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno / Diamondbacks)
Barnes finished 2014 well and probably improved his stock going forward, but at age 24 he probably doesn't have much left to prove in the minors. Came up to the Diamondbacks during roster expansion, threw a few innings out of the bullpen, might get a shot at the rotation in 2015.
RHP Jake Barrett (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)
Solid season through two levels (Double-A, Triple-A) and probably holds steady with a B- grade, which is high praise for a reliever. Looks like he has nothing left to prove in the minors and should be ready for a major league trial in 2015 similar to fellow reliever Matt Stites.
RHP Alex Colome (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)
Had a decent suspension shortened season in Triple-A posting a 3.77ERA in 86IP, pitched sparsely for the Diamondbacks (17IP). Continues to be promising but health and command are a concern.
LHP David Holmberg (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno / Diamondbacks)
Really bad season, just did not look like his usual self. Was hammered in multiple call-ups, which wasn't a surprise considering his MiLB numbers. Hopefully just an aberration, 2015 should be better.
3B Jake Lamb (Grade : B-, Arizona Diamondbacks)
Lamb just shot right through Reno to the majors after a surprising season in Double-A. Didn't look like the next Mike Trout, especially after missing some time due to injury, but he looks like a viable replacement for Lonnie Chisenhall at 3B.
SS Luis Sardinas (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno / Diamondbacks)
Spent most of his year between Mobile and Reno with a few stints on the Diamondbacks. Still relies on defense to get himself in the lineup, but he hit .271 in 96AB while in the majors which is better than expected. Could benefit from the potential turnover at 2B with Gregorious and Hill figuring to be potential trade targets this off season.
SS Sergio Alcantara (Grade : C+, Rookie PL)
Mostly shined on defense and didn't have much power to speak of. Drew walks, but struck out at an unpleasant pace. He is still just 18 so there is time for the power and plate discipline to develop.
RHP Jimmy Sherfy (Grade : C+, Double-A Mobile)
Sherfy flew into the season under the radar but went on a tear and turned some heads. He couldn't keep things together and regressed, especially once promoted to Double-A, but his 68K in 49IP stands out. Could see time in the majors out of the bullpen in 2015, or he could spend more time in the minors.
RHP Matt Stites (Grade : C+, Triple-A Reno / Diamondbacks)
Pitched very well in Triple-A and moved up to the majors for 33 innings of work, but he was hit pretty hard during that stretch. Doesn't seem to have much left to prove in the minors so he should be back in the Diamondbacks pen for 2015, if he can get his command back he could be a valuable reliever with potential-closer upside.
OF Justin Williams (Grade : C+, Rookie PL)
Excelled in rookie ball and played well when promoted to Class-A South Bend. Still only 19, and figures to move up prospect lists for 2015.
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