The Diamondbacks have graduated a decent amount of homegrown talent over the last couple seasons as they pushed into their competitive window. This has left their farm system a little bare on the prospect ranks, especially at the top. A system that is lacking at true top-end talent, makes up for it with some intriguing depth both from position players and on the mound. An impressive haul in the 2024 draft has really improved their top 15, and if those prospects perform to their capabilities, they could see more high-end talent rise to the top. The Dbacks will continue to push to compete in the NL West, which makes their player development even more important. Let’s get into the list.
This article is part of a series focusing on each MLB team’s top 20 prospects for fantasy baseball heading into the 2025 season. Stay tuned for prospect breakdowns for all 30 teams throughout January here at Pitcher List, and head over to the Pitcher List dynasty page to check out the rest of the farm system rankings!
- NL East: Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Nationals
- NL Central: Cardinals, Brewers, Pirates, Cubs, Reds
- NL West: Giants
Top Diamondbacks Prospects
The Top Tier
1) Jordan Lawlar – MIF, 22 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (Rk/AA/AAA): .318 AVG | .417 OBP | .482 SLG | 2 HR | 6 SBs | 22.1 K% | 13.5 BB%
After making his MLB debut in 2023, Lawler was limited to just 23 games total in 2024, which limited his opportunities to reach the big leagues again. There is not much evaluation to take out of the 2024 season. He continued to do what he has always done, which is to be a really good baseball player. There is nothing Lawler does bad. He is a plus hitter with plus power while grading out as a 70-grade runner, and playing above-average defense. He will have plenty of opportunities to break through at the MLB level this season, and it will be interesting to see how his skillset translates.
From a Dynasty perspective, Lawler’s best asset is going to be his legs. In 2022, he stole 39 bases, then backed it up with 36 in 2023. The DBacks want a team that is athletic and can run, and Lawler will fit right into that. What is interesting to follow will be his power output. He has put up good power numbers in his MiLB career, but considering he has spent a lot of time in the PCL and Texas League, it is understandable to wonder how his power translates at the MLB. But at the very least, Lawler will be productive in the average department and will impact the game with his legs. The only thing stopping him from being an elite player is tapping into his power consistently.
2) Demetrio Crisantes – MIF, 20 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (Rk/A) : .341 AVG | .429 OBP | .492 SLG | 7 HR | 30 SB | 15.7 K% | 12.5 BB%
A major riser during the 2024 season, Crisantes was relatively unknown a year ago. A 7th-round draft pick out of the state of Arizona made a name for himself in his debut pro season. After an impressive debut in 2023, he ran it back with another great season. Crisantes just seems to be one of those hitters that doesn’t stop hitting. Across 3 MiLB levels, he has hit .347, .355, and .333. Combine those impressive numbers with only 90 strikeouts in 121 games, and you can see why many evaluators have Crisantes skyrocketing up boards.
Crisantes reminds me a lot of Anthony Rendon as a prospect. He is very relaxed in the box, and it is a simple approach with limited moving parts. He is able to use his hands to make consistent contact and manipulate the baseball to all fields. Where Crisantes and Rendon differ is while Rendon had time in college to develop as a power hitter, Crisantes is still 20. For a hitter with so much barrel control, there is no doubt he is going to grow into pull-side power. The combination of age, production, and potential makes Crisantes one of the best prospects to follow over the next few seasons. The Dbacks have a future stud on their hands.
Prospects Dynasty Managers Should Know
3) Druw Jones – OF, 20 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (A) : .275 AVG | .409 OBP | .405 SLG | 6 HR | 21 SB | 28.0 K% | 18.0 BB%
The path for Druw Jones was never going to be easy. Being the son of a fringe Hall of Famer, makes things difficult, but being in the same draft class as arguably the most advanced prep hitter in recent drafts makes things even worse. Jackson Holliday has ruined our perception of Jones. They were never going to take the same route. They were the furthest thing from being comparable as players. Jones was never going to debut at 19 because his tools outweighed his polish. It was always going to take time, and Jones is progressing, even if it’s not as quickly as you hoped when you drafted him 1st overall in your FYPD.
In 2023, Jones struggled to the tune of a .238/.353/.327 slash line with 45 strikeouts in 41 games. That left many evaluators wondering if the DBacks made a bad decision selecting him second overall. But 2024 was a different story. Not only did the hit tool showcase better, raising his average to .275, but he also showed impressive swing decisions. The ability to OBP .409 is a positive sign for a hitter with so much swing and miss in his game. As I always say, “you can swing and miss, if you don’t chase. You can chase, if you don’t swing and miss. But you can’t do both.” Jones doesn’t chase, but he does swing and miss, which is not ideal, but it doesn’t mean he can’t hit.
The larger concern around Jones is whether the raw power will show up in game. His .130 ISO is an improvement in 2024 from 2023 but still doesn’t make it productive. Standing in at 6’4″, 180 lbs with good bloodlines, everyone knows it’s in there, but it needs to be useable. Contrary to public opinion, Druw Jones is not a lost cause. He is still the same prospect many were obsessed with in June of 2022. It is just taking some time. Buy low now. He might not hit, but he hasn’t physically changed, and he is improving.
4) Slade Caldwell – OF, 18 YO
2024 MiLB Stats: Did not Play
All MLB teams have a type. The Diamondbacks type is an undersized hit-over-power, speedy outfielder. Caldwell fits the DBacks’ ideal prospect. Speed is his best trait, and it will translate at the next level. On top of the speed, he is a left-handed bat-to-ball-focused hitter. He uses the whole field and makes consistent line-drive contact.
Standing at 5’9″, 182 lbs, he is already physically developed, so it is hard to imagine him growing into more power. But it is something that could come with maturity. There is present bat speed and strength, the next development would be learning when to try to elevate the ball to the pull-side. The DBacks have done it with undersized players like Corbin Carroll before, Caldwell could be no different. At the very least, he will impact the game with his legs, while hitting for a high average.
5) Jansel Luis – MIF, 19 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (A) : .265 AVG | .337 OBP | .414 SLG | 7 HR | 20 SB | 20.8 K% | 7.6 BB%
When evaluating a young hitter, it is not always about the triple slash line. The main thing I look for is strikeout-to-walk rate, and power output, and to be more precise, doubles output. The reason I always go to those stats first with younger hitters as strikeout-to-walk rate translates at all levels of baseball, and doubles power becomes home run power with age and maturity (Corey Seager Theory). Luis has some improvements to make in the strikeout-to-walk department, but the doubles output is impressive.
This season in 109 games at A-Ball he hit 29 doubles. The ability to hit 29 doubles showcases that a hitter can consistently hit the ball hard enough in the air. As we have learned in recent years, hitting the ball hard and in the air is a very good thing. As Luis continues to grow from his 6’0″, 170 lb frame, the power will follow suit. Combine that with an impressive .265 avg as a 19-year-old in A-Ball, and there is a lot to get excited about. As he matures, both physically and mentally, the finer parts of his game will progress. He will chase and swing and miss less leading to improvements in strikeout-to-walk rate on top of improving power numbers.
6) Ryan Waldschmidt – OF, 21 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (A) : .273 AVG | .485 OBP | .318 SLG | 0 HR | 4 SB | 13.6 K% | 22.7 BB%
Waldschmidt was a major riser this spring at the University of Kentucky. He finished the season hitting .333/.469/.610 with 14 home runs and 25 stolen bases on his way to being selected 31st overall by the DBacks. The data shows an even better evaluation of Waldschmidt. He finished the season with an average exit velocity of 92.6, an 80.2% contact rate, and a 16.5% chase rate, which are all above average. To me, when evaluating draft prospects those are the most important traits a hitter must have because it translates at all levels of baseball.
Waldschmidt’s debut was not super impressive. The average, contact, and chase rates continued to be super impressive, but the power is concerning. It was only 14 games, so it must be taken with a grain of salt, but 14 home runs with metal in college baseball is not above-average power output. Everyone hits double-digit home runs in college baseball. It will be interesting to see if Waldschmidt can tap into power in professional baseball. Seeing how a hitter’s power translates from metal in college to wood pro ball is the hardest evaluation in all of baseball right now. Next year will tell a lot about whether he is just an average prospect, or potentially a guy.
7) JD Dix – MIF, 19 YO
2024 MiLB Stats: Did not Play
The strength of the Diamondbacks farm system is the 2024 draft class. They did a phenomenal job retooling a farm system that was trending in the wrong direction. Dix is a major part of that retooling. His best attribute is his bat. There is more to be desired in the power department, but he has showcased impressive bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate. The DBacks have a track record of success with hit-over-power prospects, and Dix will be in good hands with their developmental team. There is present bat speed in the profile, and if he can add some strength to his 6’2″, 180 lb frame, it is not out of the question for him to grow into more power.
8) Connor Foley – SP, 21 YO
2024 MiLB Stats: Did not Play
As a draft-eligible sophomore, Foley only spent one season in the starting rotation for Indiana but showcased enough stuff for the DBacks to sign him overslot in the fifth round. Foley flashes elite stuff. The fastball reaches 99 and he has shown the ability to hold velocity late in games as a starter, but it is even more effective due to above-average induced vertical breaks. He pairs that with both a change-up and slider that flash potential but need work. The main concern with Foley is about his control. As a sophomore, he walked 49 hitters in 63 innings. If he is able to find the strikezone consistently and improve his secondary offerings he has as high of a ceiling as any. But if not, he has shown an ability to be a dominant reliever.
9) Daniel Eagen – SP, 22 YO
2024 MiLB Stats: Did not Play
A Big South pitcher, who saw a major velocity jump into the upper 90s during his draft year, en route to being a third-round pick is a story that sounds awfully familiar. Oh that’s right! It is the exact thing that happened to Mason Miller. That does not guarantee anything for Eagen, but it is ironic how similar their trajectory is. Eagen flashes three plus pitches with a fastball that sits in the mid to upper 90s with above-average carry and arm-side run. He combines that with both a plus curveball and a slider. He has the ability to throw all three of those pitches consistently in the strike zone. Eagen is most intriguing just cause late bloomers always intrigue me. Eagen is playing the best baseball of his life and there is still room to improve.
10) Gino Groover– 3B, 23 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (Rk/A+/AA): .281 AVG | .367 OBP | .474 SLG | 10 HR | 4 SB | 13.6 K% | 11.4 BB%
All Groover does is hit. He hit .351 as a freshman at Charlotte, then transferred to NC State where he hit .364 as a sophomore and .332 as a junior. In pro ball, that trend has continued. In two seasons, he has hit .283 and .281. I think it is safe to assume Groover will always hit for a high average at every level of baseball. The question is about his power output.
After slugging a mere .394 in his debut pro season, he improved that number drastically this season to .474. Groover improved his home run total from one in ’23 to 10 in ’24. That creates a ton of intrigue around his development. Evaluators have never questioned Groover’s ability to hit, make consistent contact, or control the strike zone, but if the power became even average? That is a valuable big leaguer. Groover might not be the difference-maker in a fantasy league, but his progression is worth monitoring moving forward.
11) Adriel Radney – OF, 17 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (DSL): .225 AVG | .331 OBP | .288 SLG | 0 HR | 1 SB | 19.2 K% | 10.8 BB%
When evaluating prospects’ value for dynasty, I always recommend prioritizing potential and ceiling. If you are going to miss, miss on high-end talent, not “safe” prospects. Radney has a ton of potential as a top-10 international signing prospect in the 2024 class. He already possesses impressive raw power, but standing in at 6’3″, 180 lbs, it is easy to imagine him growing into more. The numbers in 34 games in 2024 weren’t impressive, but the swing and miss is not a major concern with a 19.2% strikeout rate, and he showed a decent ability to draw walks. The physical tools and the positive swing decisions are a good sign for a prospect with so much potential.
12) Cristofer Torin– MIF, 19 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (A) : .255 AVG | .381 OBP | .344 SLG | 4 HR | 15 SB | 16.4 K% | 15.8 BB%
As already mentioned, one of the main components I use to evaluate young hitters is their strikeout-to-walk rate. What Torin was able to do as a 19-year-old in A-Ball is worth noting. You would like to see more power output on top of those impressive numbers, but standing in at 5’10”, 155 lbs, it might be a lot to expect him to ever be anything more than an average power hitter. With that being said, power always comes last in development. A young player can get in the weight room to add weight and muscle, which would help him in-game. I am not expecting that from Torin, but if he combines his plus-hit tool and his impressive defensive skills, with improved power output? He is worth following.
13) Yilber Diaz – SP, 23 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (AA/AAA): 104.1 IP | 3.80 ERA | 32.1 K% | 10.8 BB%
2024 MLB Stats: 28.1 IP | 3.81 ERA | 16.0 K% | 10.1% BB%
Stuff, stuff, and more stuff is the best way to describe Diaz. Over the last few seasons, he has always put up impressive strikeout numbers with 396 in 311 MiLB innings. But that usually came with a lot of free passes. This season, the walk rate improved, but not enough to alleviate any concerns about his long-term potential as a starter. If he takes another step forward in that department, the opportunity will be there to be a valuable starter with three plus pitches, but the intrigue of his profile out of the bullpen might be too much for an Arizona team competing for a playoff spot.
14) Tommy Troy – MIF, 22 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (Rk/A+) : .234 AVG | .318 OBP | .363 SLG | 5 HR | 16 SB | 22.6 K% | 9.9 BB%
Arizona selected Troy with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 draft after an impressive career between Stanford and the Cape Cod Summer League. During his first season, he showed very well with a .271/.374/.469 across Rookie ball and High-A. Many envisioned Troy grabbing an infield spot with fellow top prospect Jordan Lawler in the near future, but that narrative has changed. This year he took a major step backward, and is trending in the wrong direction.
Troy’s return to form is going to be based on his production with his bat. During his college career, he showcased good plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills, with impressive in-game power. During the 2024 season, all of those seemed to be a struggle. His walk rate went down, slugging percentage and average both went down in a big way, and his strikeout rate continues to be too high. The tools are still there for Troy to reach his potential, but it would take a major rebound season in 2025.
15) Landon Sims – RP, 24 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (A/A+): 58.2 IP | 3.07 ERA | 33.1 K% | 10.9 BB%
Sims is a fascinating evaluation. He has two legit plus pitches, a vertically moving fastball that generates a ton of swing-and-miss, and a slider that can get a ton of swing-and-miss, combined with average command. This allowed him to dominate in college as a reliever, but the question was what would it look like as a starter? After three impressive starts striking out 27 in 15.2 innings while only giving two earned runs, he tore his UCL. Arizona took a shot on him at 34th overall, thinking what he showcased in those three starts was worth the investment.
The question around Sims’ value is not stuff but is whether he will be a starter or not long term. In 2023, the Diamondbacks let him start, but the results weren’t great. This season after a move back to the bullpen, he returned to his dominant old self with a 33.1% strikeout rate. I think the starter potential is still there, but at 24 years old still in A+ ball, father time is the biggest obstacle. At the worst Sims can be a dominant back-end reliever in the near future.
The Next Five
Although these prospects do not crack the Top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eye on these five players.
Ivan Melendez – Plus power bat, who had 30 home runs in 96 games in 2023. If he regains his 2023 form, could be a value power bat.
Yu-Min Lin – Really impressive 2022 and 2023 campaign with four average to above average pitches, but regressed in 2024 at higher levels.
Jack Hurley – Five-tool talent, who hasn’t consistently put it together in pro ball yet. High ceiling potential.
Adrian Del Castillo – Extremely impressive 2024 campaign at AAA. Above average power bat from the catcher position.
Ruben Santana – Young hitter who had impressive Rookie ball campaigns, but struggled in A-ball. Good bat-to-ball and on-base skills.