Encouraging...
http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...md=20140327&content_id=70206212&vkey=news_ari
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The D-backs' stock of mound prospects begins with
Archie Bradley, the best in the game. But it doesn't come anywhere close to stopping there.
The strength of Arizona's farm system is pitching, even after trading Trevor Bauer,
Tyler Skaggs and David Holmberg since the end of the 2012 season.
Beyond Bradley, there's Braden Shipley and Aaron Blair, whose combination of polish and stuff led the franchise to grab them with its top two picks in the 2013 Draft. Jose Martinez has yet to reach full-season ball, but he can light up radar guns better than anyone in the organization, including Bradley. Zeke Spruill isn't as sexy, but he is ready to contribute in the Major Leagues.
"We've got some really good arms and good starting pitching," D-backs farm director Mike Bell said. "Archie is knocking on the door and he gets better each time you see him. Shipley, what an athlete, he's really fun to watch pitch. Blair is very steady and Martinez has plenty of arm strength."
And those are just the starters. Arizona may have more quality relief prospects than any system.
The best are
Matt Stites and
Jake Barrett, who are on the verge of arriving at Chase Field, as are Kevin Munson and
Evan Marshall. Stites was acquired in the
Ian Kennedy trade with the Padres last summer, while Munson just rejoined the organization after the Phillies selected him in the Rule 5 Draft. In last year's Draft, the D-backs found two more college arms who should move quickly through the Minors in bullpen roles in
Jimmie Sherfy and Daniel Gibson.
"We have relievers top to bottom at each level," Bell said. "They're power arms who throw strikes. We have a lot of options for K.T. [GM Kevin Towers] and the big league staff."
