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MLB.com's Updated Dback Top 20 Prospects Rankings #6-10
Brandon Drury
Rank: 6
Visalia Rawhide (A Adv)
ETA: 2016
Position: 3B
Age: 21, DOB: 08/21/1992
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 190
Drafted: 2010, 13th (404) - ATL
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Drury was perceived to be one of the lesser pieces the Braves traded to the D-backs in exchange for Justin Upton in January 2013. But his first season in his new organization saw him break out while repeating Class A.
Drury showed a more disciplined approach at the plate in 2013, helping him tap into more of his solid raw power. That improved approach also gives him a chance to hit for a decent average.
Drury also improved on the defensive side of the ball, and scouts no longer are convinced he'll have to move off of third base. Instead, his strong arm and good hands give him a chance to become an adequate defender. Still, it will largely be up to Drury's bat to carry him through the Minor Leagues.
Marcus Wilson
Rank: 7
AZL D-backs (ROK)
ETA: 2018
Position: OF
Age: 17, DOB: 08/15/1996
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 175
Drafted: 2014, CBB (69) - ARI
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Just 17 years old on Draft day, Wilson was one of the youngest players in the class. He also had some of the most upside.
Tall and wiry now, Wilson has the chance to add a substantial amount of good weight and strength as he matures. A bit raw, he does show some ability to make hard contact with some bat speed. That added strength could help him develop at least Major League average power in the future. His best now tool is his speed, and it helps him out of the box, on the basepaths and in the outfield.
Wilson has all the tools teams want in a young outfielder. Now it will be up to the D-backs to help him unlock the toolbox and realize his potential.
Matt Stites
Rank: 8
Arizona Diamondbacks
ETA: 2014
Position: RHP
Age: 24, DOB: 05/28/1990
Bats: L, Throws: R
Height: 5' 11", Weight: 195
Drafted: 2011, 17th (533) - SD
Twitter: @matt_stites
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 60 | Overall: 45
The Padres drafted the Missouri ace in the 17th round of the 2011 Draft, and they immediately moved Stites to the bullpen. San Diego used him as a closer at three levels before sending him to the Arizona in the Ian Kennedy deal at the 2013 Trade Deadline.
Stites has dominated professional hitters with his fastball-slider combination. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, reaching as high as 98 mph, and his slider has late, sharp break. Stites has excellent control, posting a ridiculous 150-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first three professional seasons.
Stites has worked to develop his changeup to give him a weapon against left-handers. Even if it doesn't become an average offering, he has the stuff to pitch high-leverage innings out of the bullpen.
Nick Ahmed
Rank: 9
Arizona Diamondbacks
ETA: 2014
Position: SS
Age: 24, DOB: 03/15/1990
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 205
Drafted: 2011, 2nd (85) - ATL
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Classmates with George Springer and Matt Barnes at UConn, Ahmed closely followed them in the 2011 Draft, as the Braves' second-round pick. He was part of the package Atlanta sent to Arizona in exchange for Justin Upton and Chris Johnson in January 2013.
Ahmed's glove is ahead of his bat. His strong arm and excellent range make him a good defender. After struggling at the plate in Double-A, Ahmed will have to prove he can handle advanced pitching. His above-average speed and patient approach could be enough, given his defensive ability.
Ahmed doesn't have overwhelming tools, but his overall game is greater than the sum of its parts. He earns praise for his work ethic and makeup, which will help him as he tries to break into the D-backs' crowded infield.
Jake Barrett
Rank: 10
Reno Aces (AAA)
ETA: 2014
Position: RHP
Age: 23, DOB: 07/22/1991
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 230
Drafted: 2012, 3rd (120) - ARI
Twitter: @BJBace99
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
A Phoenix native, Barrett was selected by the D-backs out of Arizona State in the third round in 2012. He was the Sun Devils' closer, and Arizona has kept him in that role as a professional.
Barrett reached Double-A Mobile in his first professional season, thanks in part to his fastball-slider combination. His fastball sits in the mid 90s and reaches 98 mph, while his hard slider produces swings and misses. Barrett also occasionally mixes in a changeup to keep hitters off balance. Though his delivery has some effort to it, he has average command.
Barrett's makeup and power arsenal are well suited for pitching at the end of games. He could soon be ready for a role in the D-backs' bullpen.
Brandon Drury
Rank: 6
Visalia Rawhide (A Adv)
ETA: 2016
Position: 3B
Age: 21, DOB: 08/21/1992
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 190
Drafted: 2010, 13th (404) - ATL
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Drury was perceived to be one of the lesser pieces the Braves traded to the D-backs in exchange for Justin Upton in January 2013. But his first season in his new organization saw him break out while repeating Class A.
Drury showed a more disciplined approach at the plate in 2013, helping him tap into more of his solid raw power. That improved approach also gives him a chance to hit for a decent average.
Drury also improved on the defensive side of the ball, and scouts no longer are convinced he'll have to move off of third base. Instead, his strong arm and good hands give him a chance to become an adequate defender. Still, it will largely be up to Drury's bat to carry him through the Minor Leagues.
Marcus Wilson
Rank: 7
AZL D-backs (ROK)
ETA: 2018
Position: OF
Age: 17, DOB: 08/15/1996
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 175
Drafted: 2014, CBB (69) - ARI
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Just 17 years old on Draft day, Wilson was one of the youngest players in the class. He also had some of the most upside.
Tall and wiry now, Wilson has the chance to add a substantial amount of good weight and strength as he matures. A bit raw, he does show some ability to make hard contact with some bat speed. That added strength could help him develop at least Major League average power in the future. His best now tool is his speed, and it helps him out of the box, on the basepaths and in the outfield.
Wilson has all the tools teams want in a young outfielder. Now it will be up to the D-backs to help him unlock the toolbox and realize his potential.
Matt Stites
Rank: 8
Arizona Diamondbacks
ETA: 2014
Position: RHP
Age: 24, DOB: 05/28/1990
Bats: L, Throws: R
Height: 5' 11", Weight: 195
Drafted: 2011, 17th (533) - SD
Twitter: @matt_stites
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 60 | Overall: 45
The Padres drafted the Missouri ace in the 17th round of the 2011 Draft, and they immediately moved Stites to the bullpen. San Diego used him as a closer at three levels before sending him to the Arizona in the Ian Kennedy deal at the 2013 Trade Deadline.
Stites has dominated professional hitters with his fastball-slider combination. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, reaching as high as 98 mph, and his slider has late, sharp break. Stites has excellent control, posting a ridiculous 150-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first three professional seasons.
Stites has worked to develop his changeup to give him a weapon against left-handers. Even if it doesn't become an average offering, he has the stuff to pitch high-leverage innings out of the bullpen.
Nick Ahmed
Rank: 9
Arizona Diamondbacks
ETA: 2014
Position: SS
Age: 24, DOB: 03/15/1990
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 205
Drafted: 2011, 2nd (85) - ATL
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Classmates with George Springer and Matt Barnes at UConn, Ahmed closely followed them in the 2011 Draft, as the Braves' second-round pick. He was part of the package Atlanta sent to Arizona in exchange for Justin Upton and Chris Johnson in January 2013.
Ahmed's glove is ahead of his bat. His strong arm and excellent range make him a good defender. After struggling at the plate in Double-A, Ahmed will have to prove he can handle advanced pitching. His above-average speed and patient approach could be enough, given his defensive ability.
Ahmed doesn't have overwhelming tools, but his overall game is greater than the sum of its parts. He earns praise for his work ethic and makeup, which will help him as he tries to break into the D-backs' crowded infield.
Jake Barrett
Rank: 10
Reno Aces (AAA)
ETA: 2014
Position: RHP
Age: 23, DOB: 07/22/1991
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 230
Drafted: 2012, 3rd (120) - ARI
Twitter: @BJBace99
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
A Phoenix native, Barrett was selected by the D-backs out of Arizona State in the third round in 2012. He was the Sun Devils' closer, and Arizona has kept him in that role as a professional.
Barrett reached Double-A Mobile in his first professional season, thanks in part to his fastball-slider combination. His fastball sits in the mid 90s and reaches 98 mph, while his hard slider produces swings and misses. Barrett also occasionally mixes in a changeup to keep hitters off balance. Though his delivery has some effort to it, he has average command.
Barrett's makeup and power arsenal are well suited for pitching at the end of games. He could soon be ready for a role in the D-backs' bullpen.
