Prospects Who Could Join the Top 30 List During the Season

The Diamondbacks had a major wave of talent reach the big leagues in 2023, led by Rookie of the Year winner Corbin Carroll. They'll have another group of prospects hitting the show in 2024, with Jordan Lawlar, Slade Cecconi, Bryce Jarvis, Jorge Barrosa, and Justin Martinez all projected to graduate from the current Top 30 list in the upcoming season. The organization will have a chance to replenish their farm system with three picks in the Top 35 in the upcoming draft.

With five prospects projected to graduate, here are six prospects who could appear on the Top 30 list during the season:

LHP Andrew Saalfrank

Saalfrank projects to be a member of the D-backs bullpen to begin the 2024 season after putting up impressive strikeout numbers between Double-A and Triple-A in 2023. In his first 10 major league games, he did not allow an earned run and had inconsistent performances in the postseason. He had big moments such as escaping the bases loaded jam in the 8th inning against the Milwaukee Brewers to put the final nail in their coffin and also struggled mightily against the Philadelphia Phillies left-handed sluggers. Saalfrank features a low 90s sinker and a mid 80s curveball that both generate a lot of swings and misses and ground balls. The combination of being a ground ball pitcher that misses bats projects well as a potential late-inning reliever. He could be the D-backs top left-handed relief option as early as this year. At 28 days of service time already, just 17 days on the active roster would have him graduate as well.

1B Tristin English

English is an old for the level prospect who crushed Double-A before spending most of the year in Triple-A. In Reno he hit .293/.380/.514 with 17 home runs, which accounts for only a 114 wRC+ in the offense-inflating environment of the Pacific Coast League. With plus power English has 25-30 home run potential, but also comes with the warts of a higher than preferred ground ball rate. For a slow-footed slugger, that adds an extra double play risk, but also the upside of a 90-100 RBI batter. With the first base position a question mark after the 2024 season, English will have the chance to showcase himself during the season. He's more likely to end up as a right-handed hitting option off the bench and occasional starter at first base long term.

C Adrian Del Castillo

Del Castillo rebounded past a poor 2022 season playing through a wrist injury, putting up an impressive .273/.386/.505 in Double-A. Those numbers were driven by a 15% walk rate, which carried over to Triple-A. At the same time there are concerns about strikeouts with a 25% rate in Double-A and 29% in Triple-A. As a left-handed bat, he serves as the perfect backup for Gabriel Moreno long term. He'll get a chance to compete for the backup job this spring, unless the team makes a move to address the position. Unless he completely struggles in Reno in 2024, he'll be added to the 40-man roster before the end of the season.

RHP Kyle Amendt

Amendt was the first of three Dallas Baptist relievers drafted by the D-backs in July. Commanding a mid 90s fastball and two breaking balls, he served as the closer for DBU and put up video game numbers. In 23 appearances he struck out 51 hitters (47%) in 25 2/3 innings en route to 12 saves and a 1.75 ERA. Arizona took him in the ninth round and he picked up right where he left off, with no runs allowed in 12 innings with 25 strikeouts (53%) in his pro debut. Amendt should quickly ascend up the system and could make an impact in the D-backs bullpen as early as the 2025 season.

RHP Zane Russell

Russell was the second Dallas Baptist reliever taken, one round after Amendt. He has gotten off to the best start with a 1.02 ERA and a 27/5 strikeout to walk ratio in 10 games. He already has major league stuff, with a fastball that sits in the mid 90s with two secondary pitches that can miss bats. Like Amendt, the combination of stuff and strike throwing ability as a reliever could have him rocket up the system and make an impact as early as the 2025 season.

RHP Jacob Steinmetz

A 6'6" right-hander who gets a lot of extension on his fastball, Steinmetz has the potential to develop two plus pitches. However the results have not been there, as he struggled to a 6.19 ERA in 16 starts in Class A. With his Rule 5 year coming up after the 2025 season, time is running out for Steinmetz to continue the path to develop as a starter. As a reliever he could focus on the fastball and curveball combination and less on a third pitch or extended outings.