Super Goldschmidt may be blocked by ‘Super Two’ rule

You can’t read about the Diamondbacks’ farm system without seeing the name Paul Goldschmidt.

Goldschmidt, currently tearing up the Double-A level with Mobile, has hit 21 home runs while carrying a .348 batting average. Given the D-backs’ struggles inconsistencies at first base, it could make sense for Arizona to call up the youngster and give him a shot, especially if he has little to prove at the minor league level.

Or not.

According to ESPN’s Kevin Goldstein, the 23-year-old’s ascension may be delayed by the “Super Two” rule, which leads to teams keeping players in the minors just a little while longer so that they do not reach arbitration status sooner than the team would like.

Few players have done more for their stock this year than Goldschmidt, who has spent the first half of 2011 proving that last year’s California League MVP campaign was more than just a function of the high-octane offensive environment. With a greatly increased walk rate and greatly decreased strikeout rate, Goldschmidt has a line of .343 AVG/.465 OBP/.687 SLG for Double-A Mobile while leading the minor leagues with 21 home runs, and he’s lining himself up for a very long look next spring. Juan Miranda has been a surprising contributor in the big leagues this year, but Goldschmidt is looking more and more like the long-term answer for Arizona.

Would the Diamondbacks, fighting for a playoff spot, really keep someone who could help them off the roster? With Juan Miranda playing solid-if-not-spectacular at first base now, they may be more inclined to hold off on promoting someone to take his place, especially if it means saving millions of dollars down the road.

Follow @theAdamGreen