2015 Diamondbacks Top 30 Prospects: 11-20

In the second installment of the Diamondbacks Top 30 Prospects, we start getting into impact territory, highlighting some high ceiling youngsters and recently-traded-for prospects. A pair of 2014 draftees might offer the most likely upside while two Latin prospects on the list have big time potential but big time questions.

Other installments: Primer  |  21-30

20. Mitch Haniger

• Age: 23.9
• Position: OF
• Acquired: 1st Supplemental Round (37th overall), 2012 Draft, traded for Gerardo Parra
• 2014 Level(s): Double-A Huntsville (67 games), Double-A Mobile (8 games), Rookie – AZL (4 games)
• 2013 Ranking: n/a
• Volatility: Low
• Trending: Steady

Haniger came to the Diamondbacks as half of the return for Gerardo Parra (with Anthony Banda being the other half). A former first-rounder, Haniger has been a bit of a disappointment as a pro and now profiles as more of a fourth outfielder or a below-average starter. At the plate, he’s unremarkable in that he doesn’t make a lot of loud contact, although he’s done a decent job of avoiding strikeouts. He hasn’t learned to use his average raw power and it all culminates in a weak offensive profile. He’s an average runner and although he’s played some center field, he’s best suited for a corner, which puts further pressure on his underwhelming bat. He’ll be 24 next season and should see AAA. There’s some projection left, but not much at this point.

Prospect Video

19. Jose Herrera

• Age: 17.7
• Position: C
• Acquired: 2013 International Sign ($1,060,000 bonus)
• 2014 Level(s): Rookie – AZL (43 games), Rookie – Missoula (2 games)
• 2013 Ranking: 19
• Volatility: High
• Trending: Steady

Herrera is a rare big international sign by the Diamondbacks, signing at the deadline in 2013. He made his stateside debut in 2014 and struggled to hit at the age of 17. Herrera’s young and has a strong reputation behind the plate, however, so he remains an unrefined prospect with a lot of upside. At just 5’10”, he’s got a thick lower half and a strong arm, but the swing looks like something that might need some work and won’t produce big power. He projects as a below-average runner (not surprising for a catcher, of course) and perhaps he can become an every day catcher down the road. It’s simply too early to know, but it appears that the defense will overshadow the bat for Herrera.

Prospect Video

18. Zach Borenstein

• Age: 24.3
• Position: OF
• Acquired: 23rd Round (703 overall), 2011 Draft, traded for Joe Thatcher
• 2014 Level(s): Double-A Arkansas (48 games), Triple-A Salt Lake City (30 games), Double-A Mobile (23 ames), Triple-A Reno (20 games)
• 2013 Ranking: n/a
• Volatility: Medium
• Trending: Steady

Another player acquired by a 2013 trade, Zach Borenstein profiles as a corner outfielder, most suitable in left. Aside from his award-winning 2013 campaign (in the CAL league), he’s not hit for a ton of average but he has considerable power. This meshes with what you see visually from Borenstein, as the swing definitely appears geared for power with a bit of an uppercut. He’s an average to below average runner on the bases and speed will never be part of his game, so hitting for power without striking out too much is the key. Unfortunately, he’s posted some big strikeout numbers and low walk rates in the minors to date, so the 24-year old needs to improve his approach to make himself a viable big league option.

Prospect Video

17. Socrates Brito

• Age: 22.2
• Position: OF
• Acquired: 2012 International Sign ($90,000 bonus)
• 2014 Level(s): High-A Visalia (128 games)
• 2013 Ranking: n/a
• Volatility: Extreme
• Trending: Up

Brito is an interesting case as he’s arguably the most athletically compelling guy in the top 30. He’s a plus runner, possesses plus raw power and has a plus arm, yet he’s held back by his inability to harness his swing. 2014 was a bit of a breakout for Brito, however, as he posted his highest average in full season ball to date and posted double-digit homers for the first time. He posted this performance in the California League at Visalia, though, so we’ll have to wait until 2015 to see if the step forward is something we can buy into. He’s a legitimate threat on the bases right now and if the hit tool can come around, Brito could become one of the system’s best prospects. For now he remains on the periphery with a chance to take a big step forward in the very near future.

16. Jimmie Sherfy

• Age: 22.9
• Position: RHP
• Acquired: 10th Round (300th overall), 2013 Draft
• 2014 Level(s): High-A Visalia (11 appearances), Double-A Mobile (37 appearances), Arizona Fall League 7 appearances)
• 2013 Ranking: n/a
• Volatility: Medium
• Trending: Up

In talking to scouts during a recent trip to Arizona, the name that came up again and again was Jimmie Sherfy. The deceptive righty has power stuff in a mid to high 90’s fastball and an inconsistent but potentially plus slider. Some have alluded to the fact that they think Sherfy has big league stuff right now although he hasn’t pitched higher than Double-A. Sherfy generates a ton of K’s and although he does walk some batters, it’s acceptable given the number of swings and misses he coaxes. The one thing that gives me pause, however, is the split he’s shown as he’s had some trouble against lefties. If he can get them out more consistently, there’s nothing keeping him out of the big league bullpen.

Prospect Video

15. Jose Martinez

• Age: 20.5
• Position: RHP
• Acquired: 2012 International Sign ($55,000)
• 2014 Level(s): Single-A South Bend (2 starts)•2013 Ranking: n/a
• Volatility: Extreme
• Trending: Down

This is a hard ranking as Martinez is arguably as physically talented as any pitcher in the pitcher-heavy D-backs system. He’s super raw and early in his 2013 season he was super injured, losing the entire campaign after just six innings pitched. His elbow required surgery, although it wasn’t ligament damage. Instead, he had a stress-fracture that was successfully operated on. Prior to the surgery, he was a live and loose arm, throwing in the mid 90’s with ease. His breaking stuff was excellent as well, although he couldn’t consistently command his pitches. In short, 2014 was to be a crucial year in which he could try to learn to control his arsenal. Instead, the season was lost and we’ll have to wait and see just what Martinez can do in 2015.

Prospect Video

14. Cody Reed

• Age: 18.3
• Position: LHP
• Acquired: 2nd Round (54th overall), 2014 Draft
• 2014 Level(s): Rookie – AZL (7 starts), Rookie – Missoula (4 starts)
• 2013 Ranking: n/a
• Volatility: High
• Trending: Steady

Reed was the 2nd round pick for the Diamondbacks in 2014, coming off the board after Touki Toussaint. A big-bodied lefty with advanced stuff, Reed is a physical pitcher who projects to be a durable left-hander with slightly above average velocity. His physique gave some teams pause heading into the draft and he allegedly dropped some weight after turning pro. The Diamondbacks will look to keep him on track and add strength to his developed frame. Like most pitchers his age, Reed will have to work on his command, but he’s already generating a lot of strikeouts and has the ceiling of a big league number three. With his advanced approach, easy delivery and raw stuff, he could move quickly should he get in better shape and keep generating strikeouts.

Prospect Video

13. Matt Railey

• Age: 19.6
• Position: OF
• Acquire: 3rd Round (89th overall), 2014 Draft
• 2014 Level(s): Rookie – Missoula (13 games)
• 2013 Ranking: n/a
• Volatility: Medium
• Trending: Steady

Some are already claiming Railey a steal for the Diamondbacks in the third round as the outfielder looked the part heading into the draft, then performed reasonably well in just a 13-game trial before a hamstring injury shut him down. The excitement comes from his tool set, showing potentially average or above average tools across the board (including some solid bat-flip game; see below). His swing is relatively quiet, yet he shows some solid bat speed and he moves well on the bases. Drafted at 19, he’ll likely move straight to full season ball at Kane County in 2015 where he’ll have to work on making more solid contact with consistency and work counts. The upside his high here, something the Diamondbacks badly need in their outfield ranks.

Prospect Video

12. Nick Ahmed

• Age: 24.6
• Position: SS
• Acquired: 2nd Round (85th overall), 2011 Draft by Braves, traded for Justin Upton
• 2014 Level(s): Triple-A Reno (104 games), MLB Diamondbacks (25 games)
• 2013 Ranking: 27th
• Volatility: Low
• Trending: Up

Ahmed is nearly a finished product, at least as far as prospects go. We know he can play excellent defense at short and second but that he’ll struggle to hit with the authority needed to make him a regular fixture on a winning club. As scouts predicted a few years back, he appears more as a bench player who’s adept enough to make a start or two each week. He also has value as a defensive replacement, so he’s a major league asset right now. Some front office personnel outside of the D-backs’ organization reportedly prefer Ahmed to Didi Gregorius, so that should give you an idea of how he’s regarded.

11. Jake Barrett

• Age: 23.2
• Position: RHP
• Acquired: 3rd Round (120th overall), 2012 Draft
• 2014 Level(s): Double-A Mobile (25 appearances), Triple-A Reno (30 appearances)
• 2013 Ranking: n/a
• Volatility: Medium
• Trending: Steady

Like Sherfy above, there was plenty of buzz about Jake Barrett in the AFL. A right hander with power stuff, Barrett is routinely in the mid to upper 90’s with his gas and although he can struggle to command it at times, he capable of racking up the strikeouts. His slider is his best secondary offering and he has a developing changeup that will help him dispatch lefties. He’s long been pegged as the closer of the future in Arizona but he scuffled in spring training in 2014 and spent the whole year in the minors, splitting time evenly between Double and Triple-A. He’ll probably start the year in Reno, but could see the majors in short order should he prove himself capable of throwing consistent strikes.

Prospect Video

We’ll conclude the list tomorrow, but don’t dismiss the guys listed here. Martinez might have the highest ceiling in the system, outside of Archie Bradley, should he return healthy in 2015. Ahmed and Barrett could be 2015 contributors to the big league club while Reed and Railey offer plenty of hope moving forward. This system has gotten better as a whole and I look forward to dropping the top ten tomorrow.