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MLB.com's Update Dback Top 20 Prospects Rankings
Archie Bradley
Rank: 1
Mobile BayBears (AA)
ETA: 2014
Position: RHP
Age: 21, DOB: 08/10/1992
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 4", Weight: 235
Drafted: 2011, 1st (7) - ARI
Twitter: @ArchieBradley7
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 65
The D-backs had two of the first seven picks in the 2011 Draft, and they wasted no time grabbing high-end pitching. They took Trevor Bauer with the third overall pick, and then they selected Bradley four picks later. While Bauer is now in Cleveland's rotation, Bradley is on the cusp of reaching the big leagues with Arizona.
Bradley throws his fastball in the mid 90s, and he can reach the upper 90s when he needs to. The steep downhill angle he throws from and the good sinking action on the pitch combine to produce a lot of ground balls. Bradley complements his plus fastball with an above-average 12-to-6 curveball, and a changeup that will likely be at least a Major League-average offering.
Bradley has improved his command, and he earns praise for his demeanor on the mound. His stuff, size and makeup make him one of the best pitchers in the Minor Leagues. Elbow soreness slowed Bradley's progress in the first half, but he has looked as good as ever since getting back on the mound.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#12) | Top 10 RH pitchers Prospects (#3)
Braden Shipley
Rank: 2
Visalia Rawhide (A Adv)
ETA: 2015
Position: RHP
Age: 22, DOB: 02/22/1992
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 190
Drafted: 2013, 1st (15) - ARI
Twitter: @shipley25
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60 | Overall: 55
Shipley was a two-way player as a high schooler in Oregon, and he went to Nevada as a shortstop. He was the Wolfpack's starting shortstop as a freshman, but his arm became too much to ignore. Shipley had largely abandoned hitting by his sophomore year.
Though Shipley has only been a full-time pitcher for a few years, he earns praise for his understanding of his craft. He throws his fastball in the mid-90s, and it has touched 98 mph. Shipley's changeup is his best offspeed pitch, and his curveball gives him a third Major League-average offering.
Shipley is an excellent athlete, and he repeats his loose and easy delivery well. He fields his position as well as would be expected from a former shortstop. Shipley earns high marks for his competitiveness and his aggressiveness on the mound.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#47)
Touki Toussaint
Rank: 3
AZL D-backs (ROK)
ETA: 2018
Position: RHP
Age: 18, DOB: 06/20/1996
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 185
Drafted: 2014, 1st (16) - ARI
Twitter: @_YoSoy_Touki
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 55
Toussaint spent most of the first six years of his life in Haiti, and he took up baseball late. He was a quick study, however, and he had one of the quickest and loosest arms in the 2014 high school class. The D-backs grabbed Toussaint with the 16th overall pick on Draft day, using a first-round pick on a premium arm for the fourth time in four years.
Toussaint usually operates at 91-93 mph with his fastball, and he has shown the ability to reach 97 mph. His mid-70s curveball has so much downward break that his catchers have trouble holding onto it. Toussaint also shows the willingness to use a changeup, though he currently throws it too hard in the mid-80s.
While Toussaint doesn't repeat his delivery consistently at this point, his athleticism bodes well for his future. He's still learning to control his pitches, but he could have a pair of well-above-average offerings once he does.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#85)
Aaron Blair
Rank: 4
Mobile BayBears (AA)
ETA: 2015
Position: RHP
Age: 22, DOB: 05/26/1992
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 5", Weight: 230
Drafted: 2013, CBA (36) - ARI
Twitter: @A_Blair19
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55
Blair led the Cape Cod League with a 1.17 ERA in 2012, and Arizona made him the highest player drafted from Marshall in the '13 Draft. Blair teamed with Shipley, the team's first-round pick, during their professional debut, and the two will be closely linked for the foreseeable future.
Blair throws his fastball in the low 90s, with good sinking action. His changeup is his best offspeed pitch, and his curveball gives him a third quality offering. Blair throws all of his pitches for strikes, and he aggressively attacks hitters.
Blair doesn't have Shipley's upside, but his stuff and his advanced pitchability could have him moving quickly toward the Major Leagues. He profiles as a durable middle-of-the-rotation starter.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#87)
Jake Lamb Rank: 5
Mobile BayBears (AA)
ETA: 2015
Position: 3B
Age: 23, DOB: 10/09/1990
Bats: L, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 220
Drafted: 2012, 6th (213) - ARI
Twitter: @JakeLamb18
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55
Though he had a solid career at Washington, Lamb never seem to put everything together in college. The D-backs have worked with him to smooth out his swing since they drafted him in the sixth round in 2012 and are now seeing the results.
Lamb was more of a slash hitter in college, but has learned how to tap into his above-average raw power as a professional. He has retained his patient approach and advanced feel for hitting, giving him the chance to hit for average as well as power. He has always been a good defender at third base thanks to his athleticism, strong arm and soft hands.
With his above-average defense and the improvements he's made at the plate, Lamb has developed into a prototypical third baseman.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#98) | Top 10 3rd base Prospects (#9)
Archie Bradley
Rank: 1
Mobile BayBears (AA)
ETA: 2014
Position: RHP
Age: 21, DOB: 08/10/1992
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 4", Weight: 235
Drafted: 2011, 1st (7) - ARI
Twitter: @ArchieBradley7
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 65
The D-backs had two of the first seven picks in the 2011 Draft, and they wasted no time grabbing high-end pitching. They took Trevor Bauer with the third overall pick, and then they selected Bradley four picks later. While Bauer is now in Cleveland's rotation, Bradley is on the cusp of reaching the big leagues with Arizona.
Bradley throws his fastball in the mid 90s, and he can reach the upper 90s when he needs to. The steep downhill angle he throws from and the good sinking action on the pitch combine to produce a lot of ground balls. Bradley complements his plus fastball with an above-average 12-to-6 curveball, and a changeup that will likely be at least a Major League-average offering.
Bradley has improved his command, and he earns praise for his demeanor on the mound. His stuff, size and makeup make him one of the best pitchers in the Minor Leagues. Elbow soreness slowed Bradley's progress in the first half, but he has looked as good as ever since getting back on the mound.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#12) | Top 10 RH pitchers Prospects (#3)
Braden Shipley
Rank: 2
Visalia Rawhide (A Adv)
ETA: 2015
Position: RHP
Age: 22, DOB: 02/22/1992
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 190
Drafted: 2013, 1st (15) - ARI
Twitter: @shipley25
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60 | Overall: 55
Shipley was a two-way player as a high schooler in Oregon, and he went to Nevada as a shortstop. He was the Wolfpack's starting shortstop as a freshman, but his arm became too much to ignore. Shipley had largely abandoned hitting by his sophomore year.
Though Shipley has only been a full-time pitcher for a few years, he earns praise for his understanding of his craft. He throws his fastball in the mid-90s, and it has touched 98 mph. Shipley's changeup is his best offspeed pitch, and his curveball gives him a third Major League-average offering.
Shipley is an excellent athlete, and he repeats his loose and easy delivery well. He fields his position as well as would be expected from a former shortstop. Shipley earns high marks for his competitiveness and his aggressiveness on the mound.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#47)
Touki Toussaint
Rank: 3
AZL D-backs (ROK)
ETA: 2018
Position: RHP
Age: 18, DOB: 06/20/1996
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 185
Drafted: 2014, 1st (16) - ARI
Twitter: @_YoSoy_Touki
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 55
Toussaint spent most of the first six years of his life in Haiti, and he took up baseball late. He was a quick study, however, and he had one of the quickest and loosest arms in the 2014 high school class. The D-backs grabbed Toussaint with the 16th overall pick on Draft day, using a first-round pick on a premium arm for the fourth time in four years.
Toussaint usually operates at 91-93 mph with his fastball, and he has shown the ability to reach 97 mph. His mid-70s curveball has so much downward break that his catchers have trouble holding onto it. Toussaint also shows the willingness to use a changeup, though he currently throws it too hard in the mid-80s.
While Toussaint doesn't repeat his delivery consistently at this point, his athleticism bodes well for his future. He's still learning to control his pitches, but he could have a pair of well-above-average offerings once he does.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#85)
Aaron Blair
Rank: 4
Mobile BayBears (AA)
ETA: 2015
Position: RHP
Age: 22, DOB: 05/26/1992
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 5", Weight: 230
Drafted: 2013, CBA (36) - ARI
Twitter: @A_Blair19
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55
Blair led the Cape Cod League with a 1.17 ERA in 2012, and Arizona made him the highest player drafted from Marshall in the '13 Draft. Blair teamed with Shipley, the team's first-round pick, during their professional debut, and the two will be closely linked for the foreseeable future.
Blair throws his fastball in the low 90s, with good sinking action. His changeup is his best offspeed pitch, and his curveball gives him a third quality offering. Blair throws all of his pitches for strikes, and he aggressively attacks hitters.
Blair doesn't have Shipley's upside, but his stuff and his advanced pitchability could have him moving quickly toward the Major Leagues. He profiles as a durable middle-of-the-rotation starter.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#87)
Jake Lamb Rank: 5
Mobile BayBears (AA)
ETA: 2015
Position: 3B
Age: 23, DOB: 10/09/1990
Bats: L, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 220
Drafted: 2012, 6th (213) - ARI
Twitter: @JakeLamb18
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55
Though he had a solid career at Washington, Lamb never seem to put everything together in college. The D-backs have worked with him to smooth out his swing since they drafted him in the sixth round in 2012 and are now seeing the results.
Lamb was more of a slash hitter in college, but has learned how to tap into his above-average raw power as a professional. He has retained his patient approach and advanced feel for hitting, giving him the chance to hit for average as well as power. He has always been a good defender at third base thanks to his athleticism, strong arm and soft hands.
With his above-average defense and the improvements he's made at the plate, Lamb has developed into a prototypical third baseman.
Other Lists: 100 Prospects (#98) | Top 10 3rd base Prospects (#9)
