D-backs need a pitcher, but it shouldn’t be Skaggs or Bauer

When Jason Marquis went down with a broken fibula Sunday the Diamondbacks began the search for another starting pitcher.

There are plenty of talented arms in the farm system, pitchers who are expected to have excellent careers once they become full-time Major Leaguers — as early as next season.

Tyler Skaggs and Trevor Bauer, a pair of 20-year-old pitchers, are two of the best in the D-backs’ system, the latter of which has only pitched in four games.

But, while Skaggs has posted a 2.84 ERA in six starts with Double-A Mobile and Bauer, the team’s first round draft pick just a couple months ago, has experienced little resistance from professional hitters in his handful of starts, it makes sense not to rush either into the pennant race this season.

After all, while the Diamondbacks would surely like to win the division and reach the playoffs this year, the truth of the matter is they are more focused on 2012 and beyond than they are 2011.

It is the right call, because even though it may seem like a good (if not exciting) idea to make the call and see what these kids are made of, Arizona is better off taking it slow and letting their top arms develop.

That way, when Skaggs and Bauer finally do don their respective D-backs jerseys, they’ll be Major League-ready from their first pitch.

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