Eight Aces Named D-backs Organization All-Stars
"We have really good, talented players, and the staff is in place," Arizona vice president of player development Mike Bell said.D-backs affiliates sported a 455-454 record overall, but minus the complex teams in the Rookie-level Arizona League and Dominican Summer League, the system was 407-375 (.520). Triple-A Reno, Class A
"We have really good, talented players, and the staff is in place," Arizona vice president of player development Mike Bell said.
D-backs affiliates sported a 455-454 record overall, but minus the complex teams in the Rookie-level Arizona League and Dominican Summer League, the system was 407-375 (.520). Triple-A Reno, Class A Kane County, Class A Short Season Hillsboro and Rookie-level Missoula Osprey all reached the playoffs.
D-backs Organization All-Stars
Catcher --Daulton Varsho, Hillsboro (50 games): The 68th overall pick this year, Varsho led the Class A Short Season Northwest League in slugging (.534) and tied for first in extra-base hits (26) while finishing fifth in average (.311). That's impressive for any young hitter, but for a catcher's first crack at professional ball, it's sensational.
"I think he had a pretty good idea of the pro game, growing up and coming from his family," Bell said of the son of eight-year big league veteran Gary Varsho. "It was an easy transition for him. The offensive side of his game is incredible. I don't know if everybody knows it, but Hillsboro is not a very offensive environment, and look at what he did there.
"He has incredible athleticism. I'd heard about his athleticism, then seeing it in person, it's impressive. He caught well, received well, blocked the ball. He did it all. It was an amazing season."
First baseman --
He's a talented hitter. He worked on his approach and he has a belief in his swing," Bell said. "He's got lots of confidence and he played well all summer. Now he's playing well for us [in the Majors]."
Honorable mention:
Second baseman --
"You know the other side -- he's grateful for the opportunity to play," Bell said. "He brings fresh energy to the ballpark every day, and he's a blast to watch. He's infectious with his teammates, and he was good on offense and on defense."
Third baseman --
"Marty's a good player, just a good, solid all-around player," Bell said. "He's a good fielder, and he has a great approach at the plate. He never tries to do too much or gets in over his head -- he knows himself."
Shortstop --
Honorable mention:
Outfielders --
"We signed him as a free agent and we knew he could hit. He did," Bell said. "He played well in the outfield too. ... He had an incredible season."
"He's always had raw power. He got more consistent at-bats and he made the most of it," Bell said. "He's been to that league, and repeating that level, he played with confidence. He has as much raw power as anybody."
His increase in dingers came as he boosted his OBP from .337 last year to .351 this season.
"It's a credit to him -- for two-and-a-half years, he was in extended spring. That's tough, but he learned a lot and made the most of his time there," Bell said. "His approach was always good -- that was never an issue. We were just letting his body catch up to him."
Utility/DH --
"For sure," the VP of player development said. "He changed his approach at the plate and committed to it all year full out, and because of that, he had a great year. He got on base, he drove the ball, his average was good. And he played great defense all year."
Right-handed starting pitcher --Jon Duplantier, Kane County (13 games, 12 starts), Visalia (12 starts): A 2016 third-round pick who made just one appearance last year, Duplantier led the Minor Leagues with a 1.39 ERA. He went 12-3 and struck out 165 over 136 innings across Class A and Class A Advanced ball.
Could anything have gone better for the Rice product this season?
"No, I don't think so," Bell said. "He actually finished stronger than he started, and that's a credit to him, because it's up to him to do the work every day. We can tell him what to do, encourage him, guide him, but it's him who has to do it. He kept his body in shape, worked to keep his delivery consistent and stayed disciplined all year."
Left-handed starting pitcher --
"We believe he's got the stuff to perform, and we always have, so [we wanted him] to keep himself in shape, to keep his body in shape, to be mentally strong and get through the year. He did that," Bell said. "You talk about young high-school guys, it takes a while sometimes [for them to get acclimated to pro ball]."
Relief pitcher --
"He had a great year, and going to the Fall League this quickly, that's going to be a big boost to his confidence," Bell said. "We'll look for him to keep doing the same thing. He's a really consistent person, a hard worker, and we believe he'll have a good fall."
Honorable mention: