5 prospects who can help the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019
1. RHP Jon Duplantier
Jon Duplantier has made three appearances for Arizona this season, with a save in his Major League debut, plus three hits allowed overall and seven strikeouts over eight innings pitched. But he was sent back down at the end of April, in order to continue to develop as a starter.
Duplantier is the No. 2 prospect in the Diamondbacks’ system (as ranked by MLB.com), and a top-100 prospect overall (No. 69) with three above-average pitches and a fourth (changeup) at his disposal. He has had some arm issues (elbow-2016, biceps tendinitis-2018), and a lower-than-typical arm slot naturally increases those possibilities. He struggled in his recent return to Triple-A Reno, walking three and allowing three runs in just two-thirds of an inning, but he should settle in better going forward and get his command back.
Zack Grienke (3.42 ERA), Robbie Ray (3.79 ERA), Luke Weaver (3.29 ERA) and Merrill Kelly (3.60 ERA) all entered Monday with sub-4.00 ERAs, and Kelly started Monday night’s game against Tampa Bay. Zack Godley has not pitched since being taken out of the starting rotation as April wound down, and as mentioned Clarke has been called up to start Tuesday against the Rays with a chance to become the No. 5 starter.
Next. 5 prospects who can help the Miami Marlins this season. dark
It seems like a matter of time before Duplantier is back in the big leagues though, most likely as a starter. But if the Diamondbacks think he can more immediately help the bullpen of a potential playoff contender, Duplantier could resurface initially as a reliever.
Other prospects that could help the Diamondbacks in 2019: RHP Taylor Widener, RHP Kevin Ginkel, RHP Emilio Vargas, 1B Pavin Smith, 3B Buddy Kennedy