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D-backs prospects assigned to minor league affiliates

The 2021 MiLB season is almost here, let’s see where some prospects will play.

By Isaiah Burrows

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Syndication: Phoenix Mark Henle/The Republic

After a lengthy absence, Minor League Baseball is right around the corner.

The 2020 MiLB season was canceled due to COVID-19, but the 2021 season is just days away. Official rosters have been released, and the Diamondbacks’ highly touted farm system is set to take stage.

Here is a look at where some of the top prospects will start the year.

  • OF Corbin Carroll- Hillsboro Hops (High-A)
  • SS Geraldo Perdomo- Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A)
  • OF Alek Thomas- Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A)
  • RHP Bryce Jarvis- Hillsboro Hops (High-A)
  • LHP Blake Walston- Visalia Rawhide (Low-A)
  • INF A.J. Vukovich- Visalia Rawhide (Low-A)
  • OF Jake McCarthy- Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A)
  • LHP Tommy Henry- Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A)
  • RHP Drey Jameson- Hillsboro Hops (High-A)
  • Wilderd Patiño- Visalia Rawhide (Low-A)
  • INF Blaze Alexander- Hillsboro Hops (High-A)
  • RHP Luis Frías- Hillsboro Hops (High-A)
  • RHP Matt Tabor- Hillsboro Hops (High-A)
  • OF Dominic Fletcher- Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A)
  • LHP Liam Norris- Visalia Rawhide (Low-A)
  • RHP Ryne Nelson- Hillsboro Hops (High-A)
  • RHP Humberto Mejiá- Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A)
  • Justin Martinez- Visalia Rawhide (Low-A)

Observations:

Kristian Robinson is the most notable name left off this list, as he will not be reporting to a D-backs minor league affiliate to start the 2021 season. Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reported was Robinson charged with assaulting an officer last year while battling mental health issues.

Hillsboro will be home to a bevy of intriguing prospects, including Carroll and a slew of pitching depth. Jarvis, the 18th overall selection in 2020, will start his professional career with the Hops. Frías is another notable prospect who will start the year in High-A.

Visalia is loaded with 2020 draft prospects and pitching depth. A potential starting rotation of Walston, Norris and Martinez is quite the trio for a rotation. Martinez is equipped with a high-90s fastball that routinely touches 100, while Walston has consistently bumped his velocity each season.

In its debut as Arizona’s new Double-A affiliate, the Amarillo Sod Poodles will host a slew of prospects in Thomas, Perdomo, Fletcher and McCarthy. McCarthy received high praise during the D-backs’ instructional league last season. Fresh off his MLB debut, Perdomo will get the bump up to Double-A to start the season. Combined with Thomas’ all-around skill set, the Sod Poodles are a D-backs affiliate to keep a close eye on.

The remaining prospects will be officially assigned before the 2021 MiLB season begins, but this is a solid list thus far. After a complete realignment of the minor leagues, Arizona’s farm system will be set to start by early May. It feels good to finally say that.

Triple-A Reno has yet to release its official roster, but all bets are on that first baseman/outfielder Seth Beer and Stuart Fairchild will be assigned there. Right-hander Levi Kelly has yet to be assigned to a MiLB affiliate, and that’s something to pay attention to down the road.

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