Zack Greinke blockbuster deal in 2019 leads to Aces’ 2021 success

The D-Backs acquired Seth Beer, Corbin Martin, J.B. Bukauskas and Josh Rojas for Greinke

By Christie Betker

July 29, 2021

RENO, Nev. – With less than 48 hours until the MLB trade deadline passes, the Aces have seen a boost in their roster over the last three years. The biggest blockbuster deal made by the Diamondbacks in 2019 has had huge implications on the 2021 roster. On July 31, 2019,

RENO, Nev. – With less than 48 hours until the MLB trade deadline passes, the Aces have seen a boost in their roster over the last three years. The biggest blockbuster deal made by the Diamondbacks in 2019 has had huge implications on the 2021 roster.

On July 31, 2019, the D-Backs traded right-handed pitcher Zack Greinke for four of the Houston Astros’ prospects, bolstering the Arizona farm system with top-tier talent. In the deal, Arizona gained first baseman Seth Beer, utility player Josh Rojas, and two right-handed pitchers, Corbin Martin and J.B. Bukauskas.

The four players have already made a mark on the Arizona organization and in some cases the big-league team itself. The three current Reno players involved in the trade, Beer, Martin, and Bukauskas, have been beneficial in the Triple-A West-leading Aces’ success.

As a member of the Biggest Little City’s club in 2021, Beer has had a stellar first half of the season at the plate, posting a solid .272/.379/.484 slash line. The Aces’ first baseman currently leads all the Triple-A West with 25 doubles and is tied for second in the league with 51 runs scored. In the 20 games Beer has registered at least one double, the Aces boast a 16-4 record.

The former national college baseball player of the year has been a staple in Blake Lalli’s lineup, appearing in 68 of Reno’s 72 games this season and being a model of consistency.

Prior to the trade, Martin made his MLB debut with Houston in May 2019 before finishing his tenure in the Lone Star State with the Round Rock Express. After missing the 2020 season due to Tommy John surgery, Martin made his first appearance with the Aces on Opening Day of 2021. He broke the franchise record for most strikeouts in an Opening Day start, surpassing the previous high of seven that had been reached twice, most recently by Archie Bradley in 2016.

Martin started six games for the Aces this season and has also appeared in five big-league games for the Diamondbacks. With Reno, the 25-year-old has recorded 30 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched while posting a 2-0 record. The right-hander also threw 16.0 innings with Arizona and punched out 13 batters before being placed on the injured list on June 30.

Bukauskas was slated to start the 2021 campaign in Reno, but Arizona took a chance on the 24-year-old, and he made his MLB debut on April 20. In 18 games out of the bullpen with the Diamondbacks, the right-hander put forth a 2-2 record with 12 strikeouts. Bukauskas has made four appearances for the Aces so far this year, making a rehab stint with Reno on his way back to the Majors in late June.

The 15th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft made his first career Triple-A appearance this season on June 26.

The Greinke trade also brought Josh Rojas to the Diamondbacks, who has played five different positions for the team this year alone. The Arizona native robbed San Diego Padres’ star Fernando Tatis, Jr. of a home run on a leaping catch in right field to earn MLB Play of the Week for the week on May 2, 2021. The D-Backs’ utilityman had an eight-game stint with Reno in 2019 and has proven to become a staple in Arizona’s lineup this season.

Beer, Bukauskas and the Aces will be back in action Thursday, July 29, on the road against the Sacramento River Cats. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT. from Sutter Health Park. Tickets are available at RenoAces.com, or by texting TIXX to 21003.