The Arizona Diamondbacks have been trying to rebuild their farm system since 2016 when they had one of the worst systems in the league due to bad trades and top prospects moving onto the show. But ever since General Manager Mike Hazen took over that year, the Diamondbacks have steadily gotten a more improved farm system. Their drafting has been steady and has helped them to have four of these top five in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects. Arizona always seems to be in no man’s land of semi-contending but not having enough to go the distance. In the tough NL West division they play in with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, they will have a tough time contending this season. But with these prospects or any pieces they get in return for them, they could contend soon.
Make sure to check out all of our other MLB Team Top Prospects.
1. Corbin Carroll – OF
*Hit:* 60
*Power:* 45
*Run:* 70
*Arm:* 55
*Field:* 60
*Overall:* 60
Arizona selected Carroll with the 15th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Lakeside High School in Seattle. He locked his spot in the first round after a strong senior season and earning Perfect Game All-American Classic MVP honors the previous summer. Signing for slot value, Carroll decide to forgo his UCLA commitment and did not disappoint in his pro debut. He hit .299 with a .896 OPS and 18 steals while reaching Class A Short-Season Hillsboro.
Carroll has an outstanding pure hitting ability with a great bat and strikezone control. Hitting from the left side of the plate, the 20-year-old can line the ball to all fields. He has shown power upside from the pull side. His best tool, though, is his plus-plus speed which could make him a 20+ steal threat while also making him a solid, rangy fielder in center field. As he develops, if his bat can catch up to his speed and defense, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
ETA: 2022
2.Kristian Robinson – OF
*Hit:* 50
*Power:* 60
*Run:* 60
*Arm:* 55
*Field:* 55
*Overall:* 55
The Diamondbacks signed Robinson for $2.5 million out of the Bahamas and he thus went on to reach the Rookie Pioneer League at age 17. He was Hazen’s first big amateur signing which has paid off thus far. Against older completion in 2019, Robinson earned a spot on the Northwest League All-Star team in Class A Short Season. Then, he advanced to the Class A Midwest League. He has a big frame, at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with more room to fill out which will help him tap into some extra power potential, which could be plus-plus.
Robinson has a solid arm, one that is good for right field which is where the team will slot him. That being if he can develop his bat more, which has some holes with strikeouts being a big concern. He went down on strikes more than a quarter of his at-bats in 2019 and as he faced older completion he will need to adjust. If he doesn’t reduce his strikeout rate to at least around 20 percent, his offensive ceiling will be lowered. But Arizona will trade-off strikeouts for his plus-plus power potential as long as he can hold up the patience for at least league average on-base percentage.
ETA: 2022
3. Alek Thomas – OF
*Hit:* 60
*Power:* 45
*Run:* 60
*Arm:* 45
*Field:* 60
*Overall:* 55
To round out the trio of young outfielders, Thomas was taken in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft. The Diamondbacks gave him an above-slot bonus of $1.2 million which was enough for him to forgo his commitment to Texas Christian University. He is the most MLB-ready and advanced bats of these top three prospects. He has the ability to hit to all fields with authority which leads to a high BABIP and potential for an average of .300+. In his first full season of pro ball, Thomas was electric in showcasing his advanced bat in the Midwest League. He slashed .312/.393/.479 with eight home runs, seven triples, 48 RBI, and 63 runs scored for Low-A Kane County. He struggled in his jump to Advanced-A Visalia, but he hit a double in the California League championship that sealed the win for Visalia. Thomas also made the All-Star Futures squad in 2019.
His ability to hit to all fields gives him a high floor for his bat. He has plus speed that gives him a shot at 20-20 seasons if he can tap into his power more. Thomas has the instincts to play a good outfield which is helped out by his speed. If he and Caroll both end up in Arizona, he will probably be a good bet for left.
ETA: 2022
4. Geraldo Perdomo – SS
*Hit:* 55
*Power:* 45
*Run:* 60
*Arm:* 60
*Field:* 60bl
*Overall:* 55
Arizona signed Perdomo out of the Dominican Republic for $70,000 in 2016 as an outstanding athlete and shortstop. He has now proven to be more than just a defensive player and a stronger all-around player. In his pro debut season of 2018, he made his way through three levels and finished the season at Class A Advanced Visalia. He finished the season 149 wRC+ in 30 games at Low-A. Then between Low-A and High-A in 2019, the youngster had a combined 128 wRC+ and 26 stolen based in 116 games.
Perdomo has a great plate approach which has consistently led to high walk rates. He actually has more career walks (182) than strikeouts (169). He lacks power with just eight homers in 236 career games, but he projects as a high-average and high-OBP guy with a chance for added power as he fills out. His ability to field his possession, speed to steal bases, range, and plus arm strength gives him a great chance to be a top Diamondback player in just a few years.
ETA: 2023
5. Bryce Jarvis – RHP
Jarvis was the 18th overall pick in last June’s MLB Draft out of Duke, joining Marcus Stroman as only the second Blue Devil to ever be taken in the first round. He signed for a below-slot $2.65 million bonus. The right-hander saw an uptick in velocity going into the 2020 season due to 20 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame. After having a fastball velocity range around 86-93 mph in his freshman and sophomore seasons, the increase saw him throwing at 92-96 mph. In 27 innings, Jarvis had a 0.67 ERA with 40 strikeouts and just two walks.
Of course, without the minor league seasons last year, he will be making his pro debut this season. Jarvis projects as a mid-line starter with all four of his pitches in his pitch mix projecting to be average or plus. His fastball velocity, changeup, and ability to locate his pitches make him a solid candidate to move up the system rather quickly. Jarvis also has a strong, repeatable delivery which makes it go smoothly as he goes to the plate.
ETA: 2022
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Alex Kielar on Twitter @AlexKielar
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
