The Diamondbacks selected RHP Aaron Blair, a RHP out of Marshall University, with the 36th overall pick in the Rule IV player draft. Marshall stands 6-5, 220 and features a low 90s fastball, a good curveball, a good changeup, a developing slider, and has good command with all his pitches. He posted a 2.36 ERA in 2013 with 78 strikeouts in 72 innings and a .176 BAA.
Blair tested positive for Aderall before the draft, a common college aphetamine. Apparently that did not affect his draft status. Blair was rated #41 overall by Baseball America. Blair had a breakout summer in the Cape Cod League when he pitched in 8 games, 6 starts, with a 1.17 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 38 innings. He also won both his playoff starts. Nobody helped their draft stock more this past summer than Blair. It was simply a dominating performance.
Scouts rave about his bulldog mentality and his excellent feel for pitching, especially his ability and willingness to throw all four of his pitches at any point in the count. Blair looks to have a lot of talent and pitching knowledge, and has worked hard to improve his body from 6-4,230 in high school to 6-5, 220 now.