Diamondbacks getting in the arms race
Published: June 07, 2011 @ 8:16am
In this June 26, 2010, file photo, UCLA starting pitcher Trevor Bauer throws against TCU in the first inning of an NCAA College World Series baseball elimination game, in Omaha, Neb. There was no question at No. 1 in the last two baseball drafts. Well, it's the Pittsburgh Pirates' turn with the first overall pick Monday night, and they don't have it as easy but that's not to say they don't have plenty of options. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
The Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday added three pitchers to their farm system with the 3rd, 7th and 43rd picks in the 2011 MLB Draft. Like they say, you can never have enough pitching and Monday the D-backs made sure of that.
I love the philosophy that GM Kevin Towers took in his first draft with the team. With their 1st pick, 3rd overall, they nabbed the best college pitcher in the nation. Trevor Bauer from UCLA is the Bruins career strikeout leader and went an impressive 13-2 with a 1.25 ERA. He has a very unique warm up routine that you can see here. He has drawn many comparisons to Giants Ace Tim Lincecum and even patterns his deliver after the Cy Young award winner.
There are some in the baseball world that think Bauer could even get a call up to the majors this season, although a more realistic expectation would be next year. Either way, this kid has the stuff to be an ace on a team and that's exactly what the D-backs are banking on.
With the 7th pick in this years draft the D-backs got a re-do after last year's 6th pick, Garret Loux, was never signed because he failed a physical. The D-backs were given a compensation pick, but do not get a 3rd mulligan.
That means there will be pressure on the team to sign RHP Archie Bradley, who they took with the 7th pick. Bradley is a big boy, standing 6-4 and weighing 225 pounds.
Did I mention he just graduated High School in Oklahoma?
Did I also mention that he signed a letter of intent to play QB at Oklahoma?
That's where the millions of dollars comes into play for the D-backs. Kevin Towers has already stated they will do what it takes to sign Bradley, so it looks like Bob Stoops needs to find another gunslinger in Norman.
With their 43rd pick (compensation for losing Adam LaRoche in free agency) the D-backs took another pitcher. This time a lefty named Andrew Chafin from Kent State. Chafin was 7-1 with a 1.90 ERA a year after having Tommy John surgery.
Like they say you can never have enough pitching!
Adding these three guys to a farm system already sporting Jarrod Parker and Tyler Skaggs, I think the D-backs pitching is looking strong for the future. I doubt all five will eventually pitch for the team, but you can always use young arms in trade talks if you ever need to make a significant deal. Either way, I am thrilled with what they accomplished on Monday. Now, if they could only get compensation for Aaron Heilman being terrible this year!