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Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 Player Review: Luis Frías

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Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 Player Review: Luis Frías


This article is part of a series chronicling the individual seasons of players that appeared for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024.

Reviews for players that still have rookie eligibility for 2025 will appear in our prospect season reviews. Players are presented in the reverse order of their aWAR, an average of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs WAR.

2024 Contract Status: Pre-Arbitration, $748,300, prorated to $48,276 for time on MLB roster

Luis Frias 2024 and career statistics

Luis Frias 2024 and career statistics / Alex D’Agostino | Diamondbacks On SI

As the Diamondbacks’ bullpen settled into their roles in the 2023 season, hard-throwing righty Luis Frias was one of the relievers on the bubble.

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While he had looked to be developing a bit in 2023, pitching to a serviceable (if not spectacular) 4.06 ERA over 31.0 innings, he never really had the chance to show his potential in 2024.

He made just seven appearances for the D-backs this season, giving up runs in four of them. On April 16, he surrendered a walk and two hits, leading to three earned runs without recording an out against the Chicago Cubs.

That resulted in a 9.95 ERA with the D-backs, although his 4.90 FIP suggested he was pitching somewhat better than his raw results, though not to a level that would be considered above average.

While it was a small sample size, Frias did not pitch well in that stretch. His command was sub-par, rendering his 96 MPH fastball somewhat useless. On April 17, one day after his blowup outing, he landed on the 15-day Injured List with right shoulder inflammation.

Once recovered, Arizona optioned the reliever to Triple-A Reno. His first month with the Aces was disastrous, as he pitched to a 7.94 ERA in the hitter-friendly PCL. But July was a complete 180, as he threw to a 2.53 ERA over nine games, allowing three total runs while striking out 11.

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Despite that good stretch, the D-backs designated him for assignment on August 8. Two days later, he was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays, and sent to their Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons. He made eight appearances with for the Buffalos, allowing only a single unearned run.

On September 6, he was called up by the Blue Jays. Unfortunately, it was an immediate disaster. His first outing with Toronto saw him surrender five hits and four earned runs while only recording one out.

He made three more appearances before being sent back to Triple-A. The righty gave up eight earned runs over 3.1 innings for the Blue Jays.

Ultimately, it was a disappointing regression for the 26-year-old righty. While his velocity and stuff has high potential, he wasn’t able to put it together with his command, and his numbers were poor across the board.

2025 Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, $760,000 with Blue Jays if on MLB roster

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There should be little chance the D-backs consider a return for Frias. The young righty has struggled for the most part in his developmental period with Arizona, and seems to be struggling even harder with Toronto.

There remains plenty of raw potential, and the Blue Jays could very well see him turn into a serviceable reliever, but his time with the D-backs’ organization is likely done, at least for the foreseeable future.



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Arizona’s mountain rollercoasters are open for season. How to ride

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Arizona’s mountain rollercoasters are open for season. How to ride


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  • Arizona is home to several roller coaster attractions, including two mountain coasters.
  • The Canyon Coaster Adventure Park is located in Williams, Arizona.
  • The Sunrise Apache Alpine Coaster is at Sunrise Park Resort near Greer.

Despite its desert reputation, Arizona has several exciting roller coaster attractions that make it a fun destination for thrill seekers. One of the best-known rides is the Desert Storm coaster at Castles N’ Coasters in Phoenix.

Arizona is also home to two popular mountain coasters located in the cooler mountain regions of the state.

Mountain coasters are gravity-powered rides built along hillsides or mountains. Riders sit in individual carts attached to a track and control their own speed using hand brakes. Unlike traditional roller coasters, mountain coasters often wind through forests and natural scenery, creating a mix of adventure ride and scenic experiences.

And Arizona is lucky enough to have two mountain coasters. Here’s how to visit.

What roller coaster is in the mountains in Arizona?

There are two mountain coasters in Arizona: the Canyon Coaster Adventure Park in Williams and the Sunrise Apache Alpine Coaster at Sunrise ski resort.

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Canyon Coaster Adventure Park in Williams AZ

Canyon Coaster Adventure Park features the Canyon Coaster, which spans 1 mile with a scenic mountain backdrop. It has a peak height of 35 feet and is integrated into the natural curves of the landscape. The 13-acre park also offers tubing across 400 feet of track in summer and snow-covered slopes in winter, facilitated by two conveyor lifts. There’s also a restaurant and bar.

Where: 700 E. Route 66, Williams, Arizona.

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7p.m. Fridays-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday year-round.

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Admission: The Canyon Coaster costs $20 per person per ride. Riders must be over 4 feet, 5 inches tall. Children who are at least 3 years old and 38-54 inches tall ride for $10 with a driver who is 18 or older. Visit the website for other attractions and pricing.

Details: 928-707-7729, canyoncoasteradventurepark.com.

Sunrise Apache Alpine Coaster at Sunrise ski resort

Spanning over half a mile with 3,287 feet of track, the coaster’s carts can reach up to 25 mph. Hand brakes let you choose a mellow or zippy ride. Sunrise Park has skiing and other snow activities in winter, plus mountain biking, scenic chair lift rides and more in summer. Dining options include a restaurant and pub.

Where: Sunrise Park Resort, 200 State Route 273, on the Fort Apache Reservation near Greer.

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, closed Monday-Thursday. Open every day starting June 2026.

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Admission: $19 per ride or buy two rides for $38 and get a third ride free. Tickets are available in person. See the Sunrise Park website for other seasonal activities and prices.

Details: 928-735-7669, sunrise.ski/apache-coaster.

Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.

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Arizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #42: 5/13 @ Rangers

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Arizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #42: 5/13 @ Rangers


Last night was the seventh consecutive game where the Diamondbacks were held to six hits or fewer. That ties a franchise record, last done in April 2022, and previously in August 2011. The team’s .477 OPS over that time is actually lower than either streak, though due to the efforts of the pitching staff, Arizona are actually 3-4 during the current run. They went 2-5 in 2022, and 1-6 in 2011. There hasn’t been a longer streak in the majors since the Angels went nine in April last year. In the National League, the Pirates went eight in June 2023. And in case you are wondering, the last team to reach a double-digit streak of games with 6 or fewer hits each time? The 1968 Astros reached 11, the year before the mound was lowered.

Let’s hope the D-backs render that moot and the offense comes to life a bit. The three runs added in garbage time last night, because one of the Rangers’ relievers couldn’t find the strike-zone, certainly padded Arizona’s resume. But they were more because of walks than hits. I’ve no doubt the team will hit better. They have batted .152 over the past week. It’s the second lowest in franchise history for a seven-game span. The only worse was April 7-15, 2022 when Arizona hit a remarkable .135, going 28-for-208 in that span. They actually scored three more runs than the current streak, mostly because they had twice as many home-runs (6-3).



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Arizona Democrats debate for state’s top education job

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Arizona Democrats debate for state’s top education job


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Democrats Brett Newby and Teresa Leyba Ruiz are set to make the argument to voters that they’re the best candidates to serve as Arizona’s top education official for the next four years.

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The Arizona Republic will be streaming the Democratic debate for the Superintendent of Public Instruction race in partnership with the Arizona Media Association. The debate starts at 6 p.m. on May 13.

The office is currently held by Tom Horne, who will on May 14 face off in an Arizona Media Association debate against fellow Republican candidate Kimberly Yee, who currently serves as state treasurer.

Newby has worked as a behavioral analyst and professor, according to his campaign. He received a master’s degree in special education. His campaign has hinged on issues like downsizing the state’s controversial Empowerment Scholarship Program, retaining teachers and hiring more school counselors.

Ruiz attended Roosevelt Elementary School District and Phoenix Union High School District as a child before earning her Ph.D. from Arizona State University. She worked as a teacher at the middle and high school level before becoming president of Glendale Community College.

Like Newby, her campaign has also focused on the ESA program. She has also focused on advocating for more funding for public schools and supporting both rural and urban school districts. Ruiz has also spoken publicly about the teacher retention crisis as part of her campaign.

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