D-backs ‘thankful’ to draft Rice pitcher Jon Duplantier in 3rd round

Through the first two days and 10 rounds of the 2016 MLB Draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ intentions have become clear.

They selected center fielder Anfernee Grier and catcher Andrew Yerzy with their first two choices and on Day 2 continued to target outfielders and catchers. Only one of the first 10 picks, fifth-rounder and third baseman Joey Rose, is an infielder. It aligns with the organizational need.

But the D-backs also began drafting pitching prospects on Friday, taking five pitchers in the later rounds and doing so off the bat with a third-round selection of Rice right-hander Jon Duplantier.

“He’s a guy we’re very thankful to get where we got him,” D-backs director of scouting Deric Ladnier said in a conference call Friday. “Big strong physical guy, attacks the zone.”

Duplantier suffered through a shoulder injury that caused him to miss his entire sophomore campaign before posting a 3.24 ERA over 111 innings this past year. The injury history is the biggest concern for a player who had second-round potential, and the Diamondbacks will be careful to ease the 21-year-old into the fold, Ladnier said.

He is expected to gear up to pitch as a starter by spring.

Here’s a snapshot of the rest of the players drafted by the Diamondbacks on Friday with notes and comments from Ladnier.

4th round (119): Curtis Taylor, RHP, University of British Columbia — The second Canadian prospect Arizona has taken after Yerzy. While he threw out of the bullpen, the 6-foot-5 pitcher also has starter potential, Ladnier said.

5th round (149) Joey Rose, 3B, Toms River HS North — “Plus power, can really play defense. Good arm. A high-upside third-baseman.”

6th round (179) Mack Lemieux, LHP, Palm Beach CC — A distant relative of one Mario Lemieux. “Excellent arm action, breaking ball , changeup. He’s really grown into his body.”

7th round (209) Jordan Watson, LHP, Science and Arts Oklahoma — Led the NAIA in total strikeouts, averaging 15.13 per nine innings. “He’s got a curveball that’s major-league ready now,” Ladnier said.

8th round (239) Ryan January, C, San Jacinto College North — January made a name for himself in the junior college World Series. He is listed as a catcher but has the athleticism to play in the outfield as well.

9th round (269) Tommy Eveld, RHP, South Florida — A former football player with a “four-pitch mix” and starter potential.

10th round (299) Stephen Smith, RF, Texas Tech — “Really love the bat. We took him for his bat.”

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