Spring Breakout Game Recap
1st one!
This Spring the MLB has placed a spotlight on the future stars of the game by having each team play in a “Spring Breakout” game. Each game is designed to be a prospects only showcase, which gives a fan like me a perfect opportunity to see a lot of top prospects at once live and in person. This was my first in person viewing of a lot of these prospects, so here are my notes sorted by my last prospect ranks:
#1 Druw Jones
Druw Jones first AB was impressive with a smooth opposite way flyout just short of the warning track vs LHP Sean Sullivan. Jones 2nd AB was a little worrisome against hard throwing (and wild) RHP Angel Chivilli as Jones looked extremely uncomfortable and stepping out of the box before swinging twice (shoutout to jwillyburner on Twitter for the tip to watch this). Druw Jones did make the play of the game with 94 MPH missile throw to home plate where the ump missed the call on the out.
Druw is still just 20 years old and is nowhere close to fully filling out yet. Still, his tools are insane and the sky is still the limit as there’s legit gold glove upside like his dad, but it’s all going to take some patience. Corbin Carroll’s high school to MLB speedy path spoiled us all, just be patient with Druw it’ll happen.
#2 Jordan Lawlar
We’ve seen a lot of Jordan Lawlar with the MLB club this Spring, but when he plays in a prospects game like this he really sticks out. 1st AB he hit a hard and loud ground ball to SS, 2nd AB he smoked a double off the wall. I’ve been saying it all offseason, let him play 4-6 weeks in Reno to start the year and hopefully he rakes and makes the DBacks do something about it. Lawlar played just 16 games in Reno last year, so a little more AAA seasoning wouldn’t hurt.
#3 Tommy Troy
My biggest takeaway from Tommy Troy is he definitely is built like a 2B/3B. He made 2 smooth plays at SS and is definitely comfortable there, but his body type suits a 2B/3B better. Unfortunately Troy did not swing in his strikeout looking and was on deck for his 2nd AB when the final out was made. As a college 1st round pick he should be pushed up the system as fast as he can handle it in 2024.
#4 Jack Hurley
Jack Hurley was my guy before the draft and I was thrilled when the Diamondbacks got him. The 5’11 lefty OF with speed and a little pop is profile that thrives in this system. Hurley swung and missed on 3 pitches today on 3 massive swings, but he did homer with the MLB Spring Training in 1 of his 2 AB’s this Spring. Hurley made a really nice catch covering some ground in left field catching a ball down the line. I aggressively have Jack Hurley #4 in my prospect rankings and like Tommy Troy he will be cruise up the system as a college bat.
#5 Yu-Min Lin
You all know I like him but my expectations are that he's a future #4/5 guy or RP. At a generous 5'11 he throws 89-92, best pitcher in a weak pitching system though. Lin does a great job of creating uncomfortable at bats as there were a lot of swings and misses today. Lin is just shockingly small in person as I feel like he’s really 5’8-5/10 155-165 ibs. I’m confident that Lin will make it to the majors and be a solid MLB arm, but temper your expectations.
#6 & #7 Cristofer Torin/Jansel Luis
I have both of these players combined together in my rankings and ironically they subbed out for each other tonight. Luis struck out looking in his 1 AB, Torin grounded out and struck out too. Both guys are so young and have a lot of development to go so it’s hard to get any gauge on them, they both played 2B today.
#8 Gino Groover
I fully understand why he has such high hit tool grades after today. Groover had 2 hard hit singles up the middle on inside fastballs. Groover was able to get his hands through the ball and looked extremely comfortable at the plate. Groover played 1B today as he can play 3B and a little OF too. Like Lawlar, advanced hitters really stand out in a game like this.
#12 AJ Vukovich
Vukovich crushed the eventual game winning hit today with a 2 run single. Vukovich played 3B & CF in the fall league, fun profile with 24 HR 20 SB last year, could be a great utility player. Vukovich is extremely athletic and could make a Blaze Alexander type jump in 2024. The Diamondbacks have needed a RH bat at 3B and in the OF, so the opportunity is there.
#14 Ruben Santana
Santana had a soft ground out tonight in his only AB and played some 3B today. Santa as a Dec '22 Int signing, 750k, .874 OPS in rookie ball last year.
#16 Yilber Diaz
We got to see a lot of Yilber Diaz today. Fastball was consistently 96/97, his curveball was filthy but he threw just 1 for a strike. The stuff is electric, and while he made 25 starts last year his fastball/curve combo at 6’0 feels like a RP profile. 140 K’s in 102.2 IP last year but 60 combined BB/HBP.
#20 Jorge Barrosa
Barrosa did a great job today in the lead off spot working counts and getting on base via a walk and a double he ripped down the line. Barrosa is on the 40 man roster and I see a lot of Dominic Fletcher in him. Smaller OF who’s just a good ball player, can steal some bases, 4th MLB OF type.
#26 Ivan Melendez
I’m so out on Ivan Melendez. He rolled over on a ground ball in his 1st AB and struck out in his 2nd AB today. The Diamondbacks have better hitters in their system right now and Melendez won’t be ranked in my next update.
Names to watch
Connor Grammes
Consistently 95 with a sharp curveball, looked good today.
Christian Cerda
I got off on the wrong foot with Chrsitian Cerda as he was the low level minor leaguer we acquired for fan favorite David Peralta. Cerda surprised me today because his swag and confidence was off the charts. When he entered the game he met his new reliever and dapped him up on the mound. Cerda is listed at 6’0 190 but looked bigger, I do wonder if he sticks at catcher as he dropped a pitch for a passed ball and his pitch framing didn’t look crisp. Cerda had 93 walks and .402 OBP last year, but just 11 HR in 470 PA’s so he may need to stick at catcher for the bat to be MLB productive one day. If nothing else, his swing looked good today and he’s definitely on my radar at just age 21.
Not named in my rankings article but noteworthy:
Caleb Roberts
The Diamondbacks sent Caleb Roberts to the Arizona Fall League last October and he’s gotten into a lot Spring games so far. He hit 3rd today, so he’s on the Diamondbacks radar for sure. He’s 2-5 with a walk and 3 RBI this Spring, and added another walk today. Roberts slashed .278/.383/.523 with .906 OPS in AA last year, but his .678 OPS in the fall league leaves a little to be desired.
Jakey Josepha
He’s just 19 and listed at 6’2 135 ibs so he’s extremely raw, but he did take a walk today, stole 2nd, forced a balk to get to 3rd and scored on a wild pitch today, and that was in fact a noteworthy sequence.
Sam Knowlton/Christian Montes De Oca
Both are RP’s with similar 95 MPH heaters, big breaking ball, and are pretty big dudes too. The Diamondbacks now have a lot of hard throwing RP’s in their system, prioritizing stuff.
And lastly….. Justin Martinez Pitched!
1-2-3 inning where Martinez consistently was throwing strikes. Pumping 100 with a 92 MPH off-speed pitches, I really like how he’s pitched this Spring. He’s got the best arm in the entire organization and really could be an x factor to make the Diamondbacks not just good, but great.
-GoldyHappens