Diamondbacks option RHP Jon Duplantier to Triple-A Reno
Mar 20, 2020, 10:58 AM
Starting pitcher Jon Duplantier #57 throws a pitch in the first inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 11, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks don’t have much going on these days as the coronavirus has halted the season in its tracks.
Despite this, the team announced Friday it optioned right-handed pitcher Jon Duplantier to the Triple-A Reno Aces.
The 25-year-old made his major league debut last season and pitched 15 games, including three starts, posting a 4.42 ERA and a 1.555 WHIP. In spring training this year, he had three outings (two starts) for six innings and a 3.00 ERA.
He also pitched 13 outings in Triple-A last season with a 5.21 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
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Duplantier, once seen as the top prospect in the organization, is now the No. 13 prospect for the club, as ranked by MLB Pipeline. He was viewed as a starter but last year made more relief appearances than starts for the D-backs, the first time he’s done so for a team in his pro career.
Depth throughout the organization’s pitching staff may be one major reason for Duplantier going to Reno for the time being. Arizona boasts more than five capable starting pitching options and signed multiple relief pitchers this offseason to join surefire returners Archie Bradley and Andrew Chafin.
But because the MLB season is on pause, it’s not clear whether optioning Duplantier is just a paper transaction for the club or if it has on-field implications for the postponed season.
