MLB.com: D-backs prospect Duplantier sees stock rise after superb 2017

Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect had a tremendous 2017 minor league season, and MLB Pipeline has high hopes for his future.

MLB.com prospect writer Johnathan Mayo included Duplantier in his list of pitching prospects who saw their stock rise in 2017. The 23-year-old right hander is currently ranked as the top pitching prospect in the D-backs farm system by MLB.com and the No. 2 overall prospect behind infielder Pavin Smith.

According to Mayo, Duplantier answered a lot of questions with his consistent performance this season.

It was hard to know what to expect out of Duplantier as some teams shied away from him in the 2016 Draft because of a shoulder injury that knocked him out as a sophomore at Rice. He more than answered questions about durability by pitching across two levels of A ball and dominating the hitting-friendly California League. He led the Minors with a ridiculous 1.39 ERA and finished third in BAA, making him the choice for MLB Pipeline’s Pitching Prospect of the Year honors.

Duplantier pitched between Class-A full season Kane County and Class-A Advanced Visalia in 2017. The Newark, Del. native appeared in 13 games (12 starts) for the Cougars and went 6-1 with a 1.24 ERA (10 earned runs/72.2 innings pitched). Opposing batters hit .180 off Duplantier, and he struck out 78 while walking 15.

The Diamondbacks promoted the Rice University alum to Visalia on June 22. In 12 starts for the Rawhide, Duplantier went 6-2 with a 1.56 ERA (11 earned runs/63.1 innings pitched). Opposing hitters batted .204 against him and struck out 87 times while walking on 27 occasions.

Between the two levels, Duplantier surrendered just six home runs.

After being drafted in the third round of the 2016 MLB First Year Player Draft, Duplantier only pitched one inning for Class-A Short Season Hillsboro before being shut down with right elbow soreness.

RELATED: MLB Pipeline names D-backs’ Duplantier Pitcher of the Year