Andrew Chafin

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #18 prospect in 2015
  Chafin has bounced around the upper levels of the system since signing for $875,000 as the 43rd overall pick in 2011. Projected to move to the bullpen at several points in his career, the Kent State lefty began the 2014 season back in the rotation at Double-A Mobile after pitching there for most of 2013. He proved to be effective in his second go-round with the Bay Bears, earning a promotion to Triple-A Reno and his first big league time in mid-August, when he tossed five scoreless innings at Cleveland, close to his hometown of Wakeman, Ohio. He returned to the majors in September for two more starts. Chafin's velocity has bounced around in pro ball, often settling in the upper 80s with his fastball, but he sat 91-93 in the majors. His strikeout rate has diminished as he's climbed the ladder, though he throws with a funky delivery that provides deception and helps the ball get on hitters quickly. His slider, once a plus pitch, remains effective in the low 80s, and his changeup gives him a third average pitch, if not a tick above. Chafin will go to spring training with the big league team hoping to win a spot in the rotation but will more likely return to Reno.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #24 prospect in 2014
  Chafin made his full-season debut in 2012 at high Class A Visalia after signing with the Diamondbacks for $875,000 as the 43rd overall pick the previous year. After striking out 11.0 batters per nine innings in 2012, Chafin showed diminished velocity in his return to the California League in 2013. His fastball, which previously sat in the 90-94 mph range, dipped into the 89-91 range and sometimes lower. Chafin's slider at times lacked the depth and tilt that made it a plus pitch in the past, but he improved his changeup enough to the point where it's now an above-average pitch. After a six-start encore in Visalia, Chafin moved up to Double-A Mobile, where he worked more on pitching to contact. A lower walk rate at Mobile also was a positive sign that Chafin was more aggressive in the zone. His funky delivery provides deception and helps him get the ball on batters more quickly. Considering that he might recover velocity in short relief outings, that might be his best role. Assigned to the Arizona Fall League to work as a reliever, Chafin was shut down with a dead arm after two outings.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #9 prospect in 2013
  After signing Chafin for $875,000 as the 43rd overall pick in 2011, the Diamondbacks challenged him with a jump to high Class A in his first full pro season. He dominated in his first 10 starts, recording a 2.91 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 59 innings, before tiring and pulling bullpen duty for a month. The fatigue wasn't unexpected, considering it was just his second year back from Tommy John surgery, and he recovered to lead the California League in strikeouts per nine innings (11.0) and opponent average (.241). Chafin has the best slider in the system and it can be unhittable for both lefties and righties. He throws his 90-94 mph four-seam fastball to both sides of the plate, and he also uses a two-seamer with sink. He focused more on his average changeup when pitching in relief and began to use it more in the second half. Chafin's delivery lacks fluidity and features some upper-body tilt, leading some scouts to believe he might be better suite for the bullpen. He has the repertoire to remain in the rotation, though he'll need to stop nibbling so much and trust his stuff more. Scouts noted a more aggressive approach during instructional league. Chafin is ready to move to Double-A. He has a realistic ceiling of a mid-rotation starter or set-up man.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #13 prospect in 2012
  Chafin bounced back from missing all of 2010 following Tommy John surgery to become the fourth Kent State pitcher (after big leaguers Dustin Hermanson, Travis Miller and John Van Benschoten) to go in the first or sandwich round of the draft. After handing Brewers first-rounder Taylor Jungmann his first loss of the season in an NCAA regional playoff, Chafin went 43rd overall in June and signed at the deadline for $875,000. His pro debut consisted of one scoreless inning in the Rookie-level Arizona League, where he struck out two batters but yielded a double off the left-field fence to Cubs first-rounder Javier Baez. Chafin's fastball ranged from 90-95 mph during the college season, though he tired late and worked 88-92 mph during instructional league. He commands his fastball well to both sides of the plate, but his best pitch is a slider that can be unhittable at times. He also has an average changeup that he honed when he was unable to throw a breaking ball during his rehab. Chafin gets nice angle on his pitches, though some scouts worry about his choppy mechanics with a funky finish. He has been described as having a starter's repertoire with a reliever's delivery. The Diamondbacks will develop him as a starter but could be tempted to expedite him to the majors as a late-inning reliever. They'll send him to one of their Class A affiliates to begin 2012.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked California League #10 prospect in 2012
  For the first two months of the season, Chafin was one of the Cal League's best pitchers, going 3-0, 2.91 with 77 strikeouts in 59 innings. For the next two, he was one of its worst, posting a 1-6, 10.26 record and completely losing the strike zone. Sent to the bullpen to work out his control problems and limit his innings in his first full pro season, he closed his season with three strong starts and wound up leading the league in strikeouts per nine innings (11.0) and opponent average (.241). When he's going well, Chafin operates with a 90-94 mph fastball that features cutting action at times, and he also can mix in a two-seamer with run and sink. His nasty slider is his best pitch, and he gained confidence in his changeup by season's end. His mechanics aren't smooth and detract from his command and control, leading some scouts to project him as a reliever.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: After signing Chafin for $875,000 as the 43rd overall pick in 2011, the Diamondbacks challenged him with a jump to high Class A in his first full pro season. He dominated in his first 10 starts, recording a 2.91 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 59 innings, before tiring and pulling bullpen duty for a month. The fatigue wasn't unexpected, considering it was just his second year back from Tommy John surgery, and he recovered to lead the Califonia League in strikeouts per nine innings (11.0) and opponent average (.241). Scouting Report: Chafin has the best slider in the system, and it can be unhittable for lefties and righties. He throws his 90-94 mph four-seam fastball to both sides of the plate, and he uses a two-seamer with sink. He focused more on his average change when pitching in relief and used it more in the second half. Chafin's delivery lacks fluidity and features some upper-body tilt, leading some scouts to believe he might be better suited for the bullpen. He has the repertoire to remain in the rotation, though he'll need to stop nibbling so much and trust his stuff more. Scouts noted a more aggressive approach during instructional league. The Future: Chafin is ready to move to Double-A. He has a realistic ceiling of a mid-rotation starter or set-up man.