ESPN’s Law: D-backs’ Braden Shipley No. 22 among prospects

With one pitcher heading down to the minors, another pitcher could soon be making a case for a call-up to the majors.

ESPN writer Keith Law created a list of the top 50 prospects in baseball, and Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Braden Shipley was came in No. 22 in the rankings.

Shipley has a swing-and-miss changeup and above-average curveball, but has found success this year in Triple-A by trying to miss fewer bats, generating ground balls instead — which he has done well, posting a 46 percent ground-ball rate and another 6 percent going for popups. Shipley’s four-seamer can reach 95 but sits more average, and the key for him has been working down in the zone more effectively. He’s a great athlete and former position player with a very clean delivery, and while I don’t think there’s huge upside here, he has a high floor and should be able to pitch in the majors this summer.

In Triple-A Reno this year, the right-hander leads the team with seven wins, 70 strikeouts, a 3.85 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.

With the D-backs’ current pitching situation, Shipley could be closer to making his first MLB start.

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