Diamondbacks bolster pitching depth on Day 2 of MLB Draft

After taking four position players on Day 1 of the MLB Draft on Sunday, the Arizona Diamondbacks added starting and relief pitching depth on Day 2.

Arizona selected five college arms with their eight picks on Monday, three of whom the club expects to compete for starting opportunities: Presbyterian College right-hander Daniel Eagen, Indiana right-hander Connor Foley and Baylor right-hander Mason Marriott.

“I think the goal is always to send them out as a starter,” D-backs director of amateur scouting Ian Rebhan said.

“You want to draft starting pitching, starting pitching is always an area we target. So the plan would be send them out as a starter and let them do that until they can’t, but yeah, starter 100% out of the gate.”

Daniel Eagan coming off great season

Eagen, a third-round pick, had a breakout 2024 season with a 2.67 ERA in 77.2 innings, striking out 122 batters.

He is 6-foot-4, and Rebhan said his scouts were bullish on his curveball. MLB Pipeline’s rankings pinned him No. 83 compared to his No. 102 draft position.

“The curveball has got a chance to be plus. He’s been up to 95 mph,” Rebhan said. “With that stuff as a starter, earned Big South Player of the Year, you can see by his performance … someone we thought had a chance to be a major league starting pitcher.

“At least two above average breaking balls, one being one being plus, physical, durable, he’s proven himself as a starter.”

Daniel Eagen struck out seven in 5.2 innings today, breaking the 100-strikeout barrier in the process.

FB felt rather generic at 91-94, but the CB/SL will make him money. CB has tons of depth and bite at 77-80, SL late sweep at 82-86. Flashed a CH. 4th-5th round type for me. pic.twitter.com/qXpC3LB1o1

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) May 11, 2024

Diamondbacks see upside with Connor Foley

The D-backs saw Foley’s velocity get up to 99 mph, and Rebhan said his staff is buying the arm talent.

The fourth-round pick earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors in 2024, his second season with Indiana. He produced a 4.71 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 63 innings.

Foley was also a football and basketball player in high school, and that athleticism was attractive, even with pitching coming later in life.

“He actually didn’t start pitching until senior year of high school,” Rebhan said. “So we think there’s some untapped potential and upside there with Connor because the stuff he shows is top tier.”

.@IndianaBase freshman righty Connor Foley (‘24 elig.) came out of the pen blowing smoke. FB sat in 94-97 mph range, big ride w/ several whiffs up in zone, touched 99 mph on trackman. Huge arm in the B1G, eligible next year. @PG_Scouting @B_Sakowski_PG @vcervinoPG pic.twitter.com/LUlJXjodbU

— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) April 7, 2023

Foley was the No. 106 ranked draft prospect by MLB Pipeline and went No. 164 overall.

Marriott (Round 6) throws a mid-90s mph fastball, but the D-backs were particularly impressed with his ability to spin the baseball with his offspeed. Marriott had a 5.94 ERA in 14 starts this past season. His father, Mike, pitched in the minor leagues.

Arizona also landed on left-handed relievers Luke Craig from UNC Wilmington and Travis Garnett of William & Mary.

Day 3 of the draft is on Tuesday for Rounds 11-20 to wrap things up.

Every pick can be found on our tracker. 

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