Arizona
Ryan Waldschmidt among Diamondbacks sent to minors camp – Arizona Sports
Several of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ standout young hitters in spring training are heading back to minor league camp, a list that includes outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt and infielders Jose Fernandez and Tommy Troy.
The Diamondbacks announced a series of roster moves on Sunday to shrink the major league camp roster to 47 players with Opening Day less than three weeks away on March 26.
Arizona will have to get down to 26 players by then, and Sunday’s announcement provides more clarity of what the team will look like at Dodger Stadium.
Optioned to Triple-A Reno:
- LHP Mitch Bratt
- RHP Juan Burgos
- LHP Kohl Drake
- RHP Grant Holman
- INF Jose Fernandez
Reassigned to minor league camp:
- RHP Gerardo Carrillo
- RHP Hayden Durke
- RHP Junior Fernandez
- LHP Spencer Giesting
- RHP Taylor Rashi
- INF LuJames Groover
- INF Cristofer Torin
- INF Tommy Troy
- OF A.J. Vukovich
- OF Ryan Waldschmidt
That does not mean these players are done playing in Cactus League games, they will continue getting opportunities to compete ahead of the minor league season. Waldschmidt, Troy and Groover will start Sunday’s game, for instance.
There had been plenty of speculation that Waldschmidt, Arizona’s top prospect could start the year in the major leagues based on his advanced approach at the plate, dominant second half last season in Double-A and big moments he’s had this spring, including a three-hit game and several balls smoked over 100 mph off the bat.
Waldschmidt, 23, has not played in Triple-A, and while it is not unheard of to make the jump from Double-A to the major leagues, that is the less common route than going through all the steps of the minor league ladder. Waldschmidt has three doubles, a home run and nine strikeouts in 25 at-bats this spring.
Jose Fernandez, 22, is another player who has yet to play for Triple-A Reno but turned heads this spring.
He was under the radar entering camp, not ranked highly on many national prospect lists like Waldschmidt, but he has struck the baseball hard consistently this spring and can play multiple infield positions. He leads the D-backs with three home runs this spring.
Troy, 24, has been a hits machine this spring at 12-for-24 after getting his feet wet in Triple-A last season.
That potential Reno Aces lineup, which should include Groover and Vukovich, is primed to be one to watch this spring with players who are knocking at the major league door.
Bratt and Drake have had their ups and downs this spring but will represent Arizona’s starting pitching depth entering the season after they came over at the trade deadline from Texas for Merrill Kelly.
Arizona’s list of non-roster invitees has dwindled with notable remaining names including reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, first baseman Luken Baker and infielder Ildemaro Vargas.
