ESPN’s McDaniel: D-backs OF Alek Thomas’ ‘stock up’ in rookie ranking

The Arizona Diamondbacks haven’t reached the playoffs since 2018 and while that may prolong into next year, help is certainly on the way with their highly touted prospects starting to contribute.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel evaluated all former prospects who have been seeing regular playing time at the big-league level.

McDaniel separated the prospects into three categories that include “stock up,” “neutral” and “stock down”.

Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas checks in at the “stock up” category.

CF Alek Thomas (Diamondbacks, 14th) is much closer to a finished product than Rodriguez, and he has hit the ground running since Arizona called him up in May. I’m not sure there’s a lot more than the three-win player he’s playing like right now, but that’s incredibly valuable.

Thomas was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2018 amateur draft and has since excelled.

He is currently hitting .267 to go along with four homers, 16 RBIs and four stolen bases.

As a result, the 22-year-old is making an early case for the National League Rookie of the Year.

Thomas has started 42 games for Arizona this season as he figures to be the everyday center fielder for the organization moving forward.

The next D-backs prospect to appear on McDaniel’s list is shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, who finds himself in the “neutral” section.

SS Geraldo Perdomo (Diamondbacks, 90th) is still a solid defender with excellent plate discipline and positive baserunning value, but the same questions about in-game power still linger. It looks like he’ll at least be a very good utility guy to a low-end starter, but the power question might keep him from turning into more.

Perdomo signed with the Diamondbacks as an amateur free agent in 2016.

He has been inconsistent at the plate since being called up for Arizona.

The 22-year-old shortstop is batting .198 while hitting two homers to go along with 14 RBIs.