Diamondbacks outfielder prospect Dominic Canzone will finally get his first opportunity to play in the big leagues, as he's been promoted from Triple-A Reno. Originally an eighth round pick in the 2019 draft out of Ohio State, Canzone is having a big season with Reno. In 71 games he was hitting .354 with 16 home runs and a 1.065 OPS. FanGraphs rated his offensive output to be 47% better than the average hitter in the Pacific Coast League with a 147 wRC+.
"We just felt like there was a hot hitter in Dominic Canzone, who was killing the baseball in Reno, that we wanted to get a look at" said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "It just goes to show you that if you're doing your job at a very high level, when there's a need for you here, we're going to grab you. Whatever the excuse that people use that they won't ever get called up, throw that out the window. Dom did it, and he earned every bit of that. He's going to come in here and help us win baseball games, we're all excited about this opportunity."
Canzone began to tap more into his plus raw power in the 2021 season, when he hit 14 home runs in 79 games between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo. He progressed up each level a year, finishing the 2022 season with Triple-A Reno where he helped them win a PCL title. Despite hitting .300 with 22 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A, Canzone was not added to the 40-man roster last winter.
His efforts did not go unnoticed, as he was invited to big league Spring Training for 2023. While he was sent back to Triple-A, he embraced the challenge to continue to improve at the plate. In addition to those video game numbers he put up, he had nearly as many walks (39) as strikeouts (40) in 304 plate appearances with Reno, showing a big improvement in plate discipline. That helped him earn a promotion to the majors.
"It's exciting, all I want to do is help this team win" said Canzone. "It's just one of those things where it happens all so sudden, you're in shock at first and you just go with it. You arrive in Arizona, and you see all the guys and you have a smile on your face."
Canzone learned about his promotion in Reno's clubhouse about 30 minutes after the conclusion of last night's game. He informed his family and former teammates about the news.
He attributes his success to "taking more pitches this year, trying not to get myself out, and more sticking with the process. Trusting what the coaches have to say, listening to them and understanding that if you're able to listen and take bits and pieces, you're going to be successful". He admitted his chase rate in Triple-A was a bit too high last year and seeing more pitches and their shapes has helped him progress.
Canzone is listed as an outfielder, but also has some experience at first base. This year he has split time almost equally between left and right field as the team has been cycling outfielders between Reno and Arizona. He's likely do the same with the big club, and perhaps gets some at bats at designated hitters as well.
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