D-Backs Draftees Helfrick, Kerce and Dowd to Make Pro Debut with Rawhide

Visalia, CA – The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Tuesday that 1st round draft pick Ryder Helfrick, 2nd round draft pick Carson Kerce and 3rd round draft pick Brayden Dowd will make their pro debuts with the Visalia Rawhide.

The three draft picks will make their pro debut in the Rawhide lineup Tuesday evening against the Fresno Grizzlies at Chukchansi Park. Rawhide fans can watch their Valley Strong Ballpark debuts on Tuesday, August 18 as Visalia opens a six game home series against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

Fans can tune in live on the Rawhide Broadcast Network via the team's website to listen for free to all six Rawhide games this week in Fresno.

Helfrick was the 15th overall pick in the 2026 draft by the D-Backs. The catcher was named an All-American and Golden Spikes semifinalist in his 2026 season at the University of Arkansas. Helfrick hit for a .283 BA, .417 OBP and .562 SLG% in 62 starts behind the plate for the Razorbacks. He bashed 18 home runs while driving in 53 runs.

Helfrick attended Clayton Valley Charter High School in the Bay Area’s Concord and is a native of Discovery Bay before spending three seasons with Arkansas. He is the third straight D-backs first draft pick to make his pro debut with the Rawhide (Kayson Cunningham- 2025, Slade Caldwell- 2024.)

Kerce was the 53rd overall pick in the 2026 draft after being named an All-American in 2026 at Georgia Tech. A three-year infielder for the Yellow Jackets he hit for a .384 BA, .473 OBP and .679 SLG% in 2026. Kerce led the Power 4 conferences with 29 doubles while adding 11 home runs, 51 RBI and 70 runs. He is a native of Marietta, Georgia.

Dowd was the 88th overall pick in the 2026 draft. An outfielder for Florida State he hit for a .293 BA, .456 OBP and .527 SLG% in his 2026 campaign. Across 51 games Dowd led the Seminoles with 13 doubles, 52 runs and 51 walks while totaling 10 home runs and 36 RBI.

A native of Clarkston, Michigan, Dowd started his collegiate career with two years at the University of Southern California.

All Rawhide single-game tickets are on sale via the Rawhide’s website and by visiting the Rawhide Ticket Office presented by Kaweah Health 10 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday.

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The Visalia Rawhide are the Single-A Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks playing professional baseball in the Central Valley since 1946. The Rawhide's 2026 theme is "Savor the Season" as the team transforms into the Central Valley Sir Loins on Saturday gamedays.

Stay up to date with the Rawhide on the team’s website and by following the Rawhide on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and X. The Rawhide play all home games at Valley Strong Ballpark located at 300 N Giddings Street Visalia, CA 93291.

Fans can purchase season ticket packages, group ticket plans, single game tickets and team merchandise through the Rawhide website and at the stadium ticket office sponsored by Kaweah Health. All Rawhide games can be watched on MLB.TV and the Bally Sports Live App with a free radio broadcast also available online. Select home games will be aired on KNXT MyTV53. For more information, visit milb.com/visalia, email [email protected] or call (559) 732-4433.