D-backs’ system loaded with arms

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2011 resurgence that saw them
win the National League West crown was certainly fueled in
large part by their pitching, and the future is bright in
the arms department according to one website.

Scout.com released their list of the Top 100 Minor League
Prospects, and the Diamondbacks have three pitchers–
Tyler Skaggs, Trevor Bauer and Archie Bradley — all
ranked in the top 38 overall.

Skaggs, ranked 26th overall by Scout.com, was the highest-
ranked Diamondbacks farmhand on the list. The lefty, who
was acquired by Arizona in the 2010 trade that sent Dan
Haren to the Angels, posted a 9-6 record with a 2.96 ERA
in 2011 for Single-A Visalia and Double-A Mobile. Skaggs
fanned 198 batters in 158.1 innings.

Bauer, the 2011 Golden Spikes Award winner from UCLA,
ranked 36th on Scout.com’s list. Bauer enjoyed one of the
best single seasons in college baseball history in 2011,
going 13-2 with 203 strikeouts in 136.2 innings for the
Bruins. Opposing hitters batted just .154 against him.
After being the Diamondbacks’ 1st round selection (3rd
overall) in the MLB First Year Player Draft in June, Bauer
pitched in 7 games in the minor leagues between Visalia
and Mobile, posting a 1-2 mark with a 5.96 ERA and 43
strikeouts in 25.2 innings.

Bradley was ranked 38th overall by Scout.com, after being
picked 7th overall by the Diamondbacks from Broken Arrow
High School in Oklahoma. The right-hander only pitched two
minor league innings during the 2011 season for the
Missoula Osprey, but as a high school senior, Bradley was
12-1 with a 0.29 ERA with 137 strikeouts and only 11
walks.

Check out the entire list at Scout.com.

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