The Diamondbacks system continues to be strong, but given their recent Major League promotions, it has gotten a little younger.
One player already using up his rookie eligibility in the big leagues is Jordan Lawlar. While he did not look like an all-star in his first taste of the Major Leagues, he has all the tools to be an impact player. Blake Walston is getting close, but he no longer looks like a front-of-the-rotation starter. He could even work best in the bullpen.
Some of the Diamondback’s best prospects are in the lower Minor Leagues. The most famous is Druw Jones. Injuries have hampered his progression, but I still believe in the talent. He just needs to play. I also like Cristopher Torin and Jansel Luis. Both have impact potential and need time to develop.
Overall, I like the system and believe it will provide a pipeline for the Diamondbacks to continue to compete effectively at the highest level.
Prospect Snapshot
- Top Prospect: Jordan Lawlar
- Biggest Mover: Cristopher Torin and Jansel Luis
- Biggest Disappointment: Druw Jones – Sorry, somebody had to say it!
- Emerging Prospect: Demetrio Crisantes
1. Jordan Lawlar (SS)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2023 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 5 SS
- Tools Summary: He has all the tools to be a star.
The Diamondbacks aggressively assigned Jordan Lawlar to Double-A to begin the 2023 season, and at the end of May, he was hitting .199. Once the calendar turned to June, he started heating up, raising his batting average by 60 points and hitting the ball with more authority. The D-Backs rewarded him with a promotion to Triple-A and then ultimately with a call to the big leagues in early September. Now, he didn’t hit at all after his promotion to Arizona, posting a sub-80 exit velocity. However, it was a small sample size, and at 21, he was likely a little overwhelmed. It looks similar to how he started the season in Double-A.
I’m not worried at all. He’s a 70-runner with plenty of bat speed to project 20 home run future power. He also has a mature approach and a good understanding of the strike zone. It’s everything that you want to see in a future MLB star.
2. Druw Jones (OF)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 OF
- Tools Summary: It was another challenging season, mostly due to injuries. I know fantasy managers are anxious, but you need patience, as the tools are still there.
Druw Jones was the second overall pick in 2022, and it was another challenging season for the uber-talented outfielder. First, injuries limited him to 173 plate appearances, and second, he posted a .238 batting average. Could the poor production result from him being rusty and/or still recovering from his injuries? Indeed, and perhaps I should add…hopefully. But, at 6-foot-4, he will have a length in his swing, and strikeouts will be a problem.
Now that we’ve gotten all the negativity out of the way let’s focus on the positives. He’s got crazy tools. He’s a gifted athlete with plus bat speed that points to future power. And we know about his excellent defense.
Could he be a flop? Sure. Is it likely? I don’t think so.
Everyone I spoke to was high on the kid coming into the draft, and we need another season to see what we have. If I’m an owner, I forget about him for now. Let time be your friend. Whatever you do, don’t sell low on him. If he’s a flop, well, you’ll recover. Keep reading my stuff, and we’ll find somebody to replace him on your roster.
3. Tommy Troy (3B, #12)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2025-26 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 3B
- Tools Summary: A potential plus hit tool with above-average speed and power.
I’m not a fan of Stanford hitters as they coach their hitters to all hit the “Stanford way” – a very structured approach and swing. This has proven to be sub-optimal for many players over the years. However, it seems to have worked for Tommy Troy, as he can flat-out hit. He hit .394 in his draft year with 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases.
The swing is built for contact and lacks loft, so projecting plus future plus power might be a reach. However, he did hit four home runs in only 23 games in High-A while posting a .447 SLG. Still, I will project a 15-15 player with a .270 average and 60 to 70 points on top of that for OBP.
4. Cristopher Torin (SS/2B)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF
- Tools Summary: A potential impact player with a feel to hit.
Cristopher Torin showed promising skills in the DSL in 2022, walking twice as much as he struck out with 21 stolen bases in 51 games. He also didn’t hit a home run but did hit 12 doubles. Once he got to the States and we had more video of him, he was physically more impressive than I initially thought. There’s plenty of bat speed, and he’s strong enough to project future power. Throw in his plate discipline and double-plus speed, and he looks like a potential impact future player. I’ve added him to my Dynasty Leagues and suggest you do the same.
5. Jansel Luis (SS)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS
- Tools Summary: He makes excellent contact with plenty of bat speed. Once he fills out, there’s a good chance he adds power to the profile. I’m investing.
Don’t let the rather pedestrian stat line fool you. Jansel Luis can hit with a chance to add power as he fills out. He’s one of the most underrated prospects in the game and should be owned in more Dynasty Leagues. He was aggressive at the plate last season, but at 18, he was one of the youngest players in Low-A. Through repetition and maturity, I believe the aggressive approach will subside. He’s raw, but I would add him to a Dynasty League if you have room.
6. Ivan Melendez (1B)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2024-25 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 1B
- Tools Summary: His carrying tool is his 70-grade raw power. If he can control his strikeouts, he’s an easy 30-home run power bat at first/DH.
Ivan Melendez’s 2023 season got off to a slow start due to a sprained hand. He spent a couple of weeks on the IL and returned and started showing off his 70-grade raw power. While he ended with 30 home runs in only 96 games across High and Double-A, he also struck out a third of the time while only walking 7.2% of the time.
I know you get tired of my saying this, but that profile does not bode well for long-term success. Christian Encarnacion-Strand appears to have figured it out, but he’s an exception. I struggled with rostering players like Melendez. Yes, he can hit 30+ home runs, but will he hit enough to get full-time at-bats? Know your parameters on this one, and be careful.
7. Wilderd Patino (OF)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF with upside
- Tools Summary: He can steal bases at will with power upside. If he can keep his swing-and-miss under control, watch out!
I rostered Wilderd Patino early in his career, but sadly, I have zero current shares. He continues to be a projection guy as the power has yet to develop, but once he adds loft and fills out, there will be power. Not to bury the lead, but he stole another 54 bases after stealing 67 in 2022. He chases too much, and I doubt he’ll ever hit more than .260, but the fantasy upside could be tremendous.
8. Gino Groover (3B, #48)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 3B or Top 50 OF
- Tools Summary: Offensive-oriented player who should be able to hit for power.
Gino Groover was the D-Backs’ second-round pick last July and signed for his slotted amount. He’s an offensive-oriented player who should be able to hit for power and can steal the odd base early in his career. He walked more than he struck out in his draft year, showing excellent contact. The contact carried forward in his limited debut. He finished the season in High-A and didn’t look lost, which might foretell a quick move to the Major Leagues. The ceiling is a Top 15 3B or Top 50 outfielder and should be a target in Supplemental Drafts in rounds three and four.
9. Kristian Robinson (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Wide range with the obvious risk – Top 45 OF
- Tools Summary: Power and speed, but he’s been out of baseball for four years.
Kristian Robinson is back playing baseball, and while he’s still knocking off the rust, all things considered, he played pretty well. He’s been out of baseball for four years, yet he’s still only 22 years old; plenty of time for him to develop. There’s still huge power potential with enough speed, at least early in his career, to steal double-digit bases. It will all come down to how much he hits; at this point, it’s just hard to predict, given everything that has happened. However, if he was dropped in your league, and you can look past his legal problems, he should be rostered.
10. Yu-Min Lin (LHP)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 70 SP with upside
- Tools Summary: A soft-tossing lefty with a double-plus change-up and plus control.
Yu-Min Lin was signed in 2022 for a reportedly $525,000 bonus. He’s a soft-tosser, with his fastball sitting 89 to 91 MPH. His double-plus change-up has proven too much for Minor League hitters, resulting in a 10.4 K/9 rate.
He’s athletic and can repeat his delivery and, as a lefty, should find his way onto a Major League team. How much long-term success he has will depend on whether he can find more arm strength. I have his ceiling as a #5 starter with upside.
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