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The MLB season has began, meaning minor league teams around the country will start their seasons in the coming weeks.
The Amarillo Sod Poodles are set to play their first game of the 2025 campaign Friday, April 4, in San Antonio against the Missions. The Sod Poodles, a Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, are armed with a number of MLB prospects who could be making plays in the big leagues in the coming seasons.
Any MLB player, even the most high-profile draft picks, work their way up through the minor league system before earning a permanent roster spot in the majors. This year, a few big-name prospects will call Hodgetown home as they try to find their way onto the Diamondbacks roster.
With Javier Colina leading a new coaching staff in Amarillo, plenty of future stars will be on display when the Sod Poodles take the field this season.
Here is a look at six of the top prospects in Arizona's system who are currently in Amarillo.
More: Amarillo Sod Poodles announce on-field coaching staff ahead of 2025 season
More: Amarillo Sod Poodles reveal alternate uniforms ahead of 2025 minor league season
More: From Randall to Angelo State: Inside Amarillo College baseball star Payton Bush's journey
A 22-year-old infielder who played college baseball at NC State, Groover is listed at 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds. The former Wolfpack star was selected in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft with the No. 48 overall pick.
A Taiwanese left-handed pitcher, the 21-year-old dealt with an injury in 2024, but should be back on track for a strong 2025 season with the Sod Poodles. Listed at 5-11 and 160 pounds, Lin was signed by the Diamondbacks organization on Dec. 15, 2021, after a strong performance at the at the 2021 U-23 World Cup.
A 23-year-old left-handed pitcher who played college baseball at Charlotte, Giesting made 15 starts for the Sod Poodles last season. Listed at 6-4 and 200 pounds, Giesting was an 11th-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
A 22-year-old right-handed pitcher from Venezuela, Elbis was signed by the Diamondbacks organization on July 12, 2019. The 6-1, 150-pound Elbis will start the 2025 season on the injury list, but should be another solid arm for the Sod Poodles upon his return.
A 23-year-old right-handed pitcher from the University of Alabama, Ray was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Listed at 6-3 and 230 pounds, Ray has the chance to have a breakout season in 2025.
Drafted out of Stoneman Douglas HS in Florida, Conticello is a 21-year-old who plays in the infield and outfield. Listed at 6-3 and 195 pounds, Conticello was selected in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Top prospects on the Amarillo Sod Poodles roster heading into 2025
Continue reading...
The Amarillo Sod Poodles are set to play their first game of the 2025 campaign Friday, April 4, in San Antonio against the Missions. The Sod Poodles, a Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, are armed with a number of MLB prospects who could be making plays in the big leagues in the coming seasons.
Any MLB player, even the most high-profile draft picks, work their way up through the minor league system before earning a permanent roster spot in the majors. This year, a few big-name prospects will call Hodgetown home as they try to find their way onto the Diamondbacks roster.
With Javier Colina leading a new coaching staff in Amarillo, plenty of future stars will be on display when the Sod Poodles take the field this season.
Here is a look at six of the top prospects in Arizona's system who are currently in Amarillo.
More: Amarillo Sod Poodles announce on-field coaching staff ahead of 2025 season
More: Amarillo Sod Poodles reveal alternate uniforms ahead of 2025 minor league season
More: From Randall to Angelo State: Inside Amarillo College baseball star Payton Bush's journey
LuJames Groover III
A 22-year-old infielder who played college baseball at NC State, Groover is listed at 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds. The former Wolfpack star was selected in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft with the No. 48 overall pick.
Yu-Min Lin
A Taiwanese left-handed pitcher, the 21-year-old dealt with an injury in 2024, but should be back on track for a strong 2025 season with the Sod Poodles. Listed at 5-11 and 160 pounds, Lin was signed by the Diamondbacks organization on Dec. 15, 2021, after a strong performance at the at the 2021 U-23 World Cup.
Spencer Giesting
A 23-year-old left-handed pitcher who played college baseball at Charlotte, Giesting made 15 starts for the Sod Poodles last season. Listed at 6-4 and 200 pounds, Giesting was an 11th-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
Joe Elbis
A 22-year-old right-handed pitcher from Venezuela, Elbis was signed by the Diamondbacks organization on July 12, 2019. The 6-1, 150-pound Elbis will start the 2025 season on the injury list, but should be another solid arm for the Sod Poodles upon his return.
Dylan Ray
A 23-year-old right-handed pitcher from the University of Alabama, Ray was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Listed at 6-3 and 230 pounds, Ray has the chance to have a breakout season in 2025.
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Gavin Conticello
Drafted out of Stoneman Douglas HS in Florida, Conticello is a 21-year-old who plays in the infield and outfield. Listed at 6-3 and 195 pounds, Conticello was selected in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Top prospects on the Amarillo Sod Poodles roster heading into 2025
Continue reading...
