Jon Duplantier

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #11 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Duplantier reached the majors in 2019, but he spent the year bouncing not only from Triple-A Reno to Arizona but also from the rotation to the bullpen, where the Diamondbacks primarily used him in the big leagues. He mostly struggled no matter the role or level as his season became a manifestation of the reservations scouts have harbored about him for years.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Duplantier again battled injuries—this time, shoulder inflammation—and also struggled to maintain his velocity while showing below-average command. For some scouts, both Duplantier's injury and command issues stem from his high-maintenance delivery and long arm action. He spent the final months of the season working to correct those issues with then-Diamondbacks pitching coach Mike Butcher. At his best, Duplantier features a fastball that can touch the mid-90s along with a slider, curveball and changeup that all flash at least average, but consistency eludes him.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Diamondbacks hope a more consistent role as a starter in 2020 will allow Duplantier to regain his previous form. His struggles last season led to more questions about whether he is best suited for relief.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #2 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Duplantier turned in one of the more dominant minor league seasons of the past 25 years in 2017, but a hamstring injury and a bout with right biceps tendinitis limited him to just 74 innings at Double-A Jackson in 2018. Given his injury history, the Diamondbacks were overly cautious with him, bringing him back slowly. Duplantier made up 21.2 innings with a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Duplantier still has the best stuff of any starter in the system. His legit four-pitch mix begins with a lively fastball that sits in the low-to-mid-90s. Scouts and coaches say his slider evolved into his best secondary option, with his curveball and changeup both average to plus at times. He's cerebral and inquisitive, and coaches say he understands how best to use his stuff to exploit hitters' weaknesses. He has average to above-average command and control, though his walks ticked up in 2018. For some scouts, Duplantier's recent arm issues made it harder to overlook his funky arm action.
  
  The Future: Scouts who like Duplantier see a mid-rotation starter and perhaps a little more, but some remain spooked by the injuries that date to his days at Rice and wonder if he's a breakdown candidate. If he keeps taking the ball he can shed that reputation, not to mention possibly reach the majors in 2019.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #1 prospect in 2018
  The D-backs couldn't be sure what they were getting when they drafted Duplantier in the third round in 2016. They weren't even sure when spring training began in 2017, before he ultimately turned in one of the best minor league pitching seasons in recent memory. He led the minors with a 1.39 ERA that trailed only Justin Verlander's 1.29 ERA in 2005 among qualified minor league starters since 1993. Duplantier put together an impressive junior year at Rice but had missed the previous season with a shoulder injury that did not require surgery. On top of that was the perception that Rice pitchers tend not to stay healthy once they turn professional. Duplantier's first impression wasn't great, either. In the summer after the draft, he logged only one inning before being shut down with an elbow issue, then missed instructional league with a hamstring injury. But he showed up at spring training with a delivery he smoothed out with rehab coordinator Brad Arnsberg, who helped him lower his arm angle. Duplantier has an athletic build and a solid, sturdy frame with room to grow. His arm action is a bit funky because he extends his arm straight behind him just after separation, leading to a delivery that can appear stiff or robotic. But he repeats it well, and coaches say he makes adjustments quickly when he gets out of whack. Duplantier has the potential for a legitimate four-pitch mix. His fastball velocity fluctuated at times in 2017, but he sat mostly 90-94 mph. His stuff ticked up late in the season, when he sat 93-94 mph and topped out at 97. He throws both a four-seamer and a two-seamer and both pitches have armside run. His most consistent secondary pitch is a spike curveball, but coaches believe his new slider has the most upside. He also throws a changeup that generates average to above-average grades. Duplantier is proud that he was able to make all of his starts in 2017, saying he grew more confident in his health as the season progressed. Still, the D-backs proceeded cautiously by waiting until mid-June before promoting him from low Class A Kane County to high Class A Visalia. Duplantier's late-season stuff indicates he has the potential to be a front-line starter. For some, though, his injury history and delivery mark him as a possible reliever. Another strong year in the rotation at Double-A Jackson will strengthen his starter case.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #9 prospect in 2017
  Duplantier is a wild card for the Diamondbacks because he has explosive stuff but a concerning injury record. He missed all of the 2015 college season at Rice with a shoulder injury that did not require surgery, and an elbow issue limited him to only one inning in his pro debut at short-season Hillsboro after he signed for $686,600. Further, he didn't get on the mound in instructional league after he suffered a pulled hamstring during pitcher fielding practice. Duplantier is a strong, physical righthander who struck out 12 batters per nine innings in 2016 at Rice to rank eighth among Division I pitchers and earn third-team All-America honors. Duplantier used a 90-95 mph fastball in college, and he flashed an above-average curveball with some power and a developing changeup that still is a work-in-progress. The control of his pitches suffers when his arm slot wanders, prompted by his shoulder flying open too quickly in his delivery. While he didn't get into games during instructs, Duplantier threw a few bullpen sessions and reported no issues with his elbow. Months of rest after a customarily heavy Rice workload could do wonders for Duplantier and his health. While he could move quickly as a power reliever relying on his two best pitches, Duplantier will stay in the rotation for now as he makes his full-season debut at low Class A Kane County in 2017.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #51 prospect in 2016 draft
  In the right light, Duplantier looks like a durable future mid-rotation starter. His arm works well and he has plenty of velocity, sitting 90-95 mph in most outings. He flashes an above-average curveball that has some power. His changeup needs more work. But teams will be concerned by the shoulder injury that cost him all of the 2015 season even if it did not require surgery. Duplantier's arm slot sometimes wanders and he opens up too quickly at times leading to control troubles. A move to the pen would let him focus on his best two offerings, gain even another tick to his fastball, and tone down the command concerns, but Duplantier has been too good at Rice to not get at least a shot to start in pro ball. His status as a redshirt sophomore may make him tougher to sign, but Duplantier's excellent bounce back season and the lack of top-end college pitchers should entice a team to take him by the second round.
• Ranked #483 prospect in 2015 draft
  Yet another of the promising-but-injured Texas college pitching crew, Duplantier has a loose arm, an easy delivery and excellent physicality. When healthy, he demonstrated a 92-94 mph fastball that played up because of excellent front-side extension. His slider gives him a second pitch that could eventually be above-average and his changeup has flashed average. But Duplantier hasn't pitched this year because of a shoulder soreness. Rice has said that Duplantier has no structural damage, but considering Duplantier is a draft-eligible sophomore, it's likely he'll return to Rice with a chance to vault himself back into first-round consideration next year.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #16 prospect in 2018
  Duplantier led the minors with a 1.39 ERA in 2017, which he spent at two Class A levels, and pitched effectively in the SL in 2018 when healthy. While he finished the year in the Jackson rotation and pitched in the SL playoffs, he missed half the season because of spring hamstring issues and midseason biceps tendinitis. Duplantier pitches at 91-92 mph and can muscle up for 95 mph. He relies on hitting his spots low in the zone and letting the plus sink and run on his fastball generate either weak contact on the ground or swings and misses. His power curveball grades as plus and features late break and depth in the low 80s. He also throws an average slider with nice lateral break. Duplantier hasn’t shown as much feel for a changeup, which when combined with quirky mechanics and below-average control throw his future role into question. He repeats his delivery—including a long arm action, stiff front leg and lower arm angle—well enough to start if he can throw more strikes.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Fall League #10 prospect in 2018
  Duplantier was assigned to the Arizona Fall League to make up for missing nearly two months to right biceps tendinitis earlier in the season. Earning AFL pitcher of the week honors for the first week of November, Duplantier started six games, posting a 3.32 ERA with an impressive 32 strikeouts in 21.2 innings.

  Duplantier’s fastball velocity jumped up a couple of ticks from the regular season, sitting 94-96 mph in the fall, and he mixes in both a slider and a power curveball. In one of his later starts, his nine strikeouts were the second highest total in an AFL game in the last 10 years. With a strong finish to the fall season, Duplantier will be looked at very seriously next spring as a candidate for a potentially rebuilt D-backs rotation.

• 
  Ranked Midwest League #12 prospect in 2017
  A heavy college workload at Rice led to a shoulder issue that pushed Duplantier down draft boards in 2016. A kinesiology wonk, he worked with minor league rehab coordinator Brad Arnsberg to smooth his mechanics, which led to a more-easily repeatable delivery and outstanding results. Duplantier dominated the MWL, posting a WHIP of 0.83, and he continued to thrive after his promotion to high Class A. His 1.39 ERA is the best in the minors since Justin Verlander's 1.29 in 2005. He succeeds without overpowering velocity. Duplantier's fastball sits 90-94 with good sink, and his slider, curveball and changeup all grade as present above-average pitches, with the slider flashing plus. Duplantier's command is average to tick above presently thanks to his athleticism and smooth delivery. He has been compared to Yovani Gallardo and Clay Buchholz and profiles as a No. 4 or perhaps better starter.
• 
  Ranked California League #6 prospect in 2017
  Duplantier made quick work of the Midwest League, rose to the Cal League in late June, and didn't miss a beat. His 1.39 ERA overall was best in the minors this season and the lowest since Justin Verlander pitched to a 1.29 mark in 2005. Duplantier kept hitters guessing with a well-rounded arsenal that included a 92-94 mph fastball with sink, a slider and curveball that each earned future above-average grades and a changeup he didn't use much but still flashed plus. He tied it all together with excellent control, advanced feel to pitch and poise on the mound. "He's really good," Stockton manager Rick Magnante said. "He does it easily. He pitches at the knees, his fastball's got some late life and his slider at times is hellacious. He's a big, strong, physical guy, very poised, unflappable out there. He's your prototypical major league righthanded starter." Importantly, Duplantier pitched 136 innings without issue after he was hampered by a shoulder injury in college and an elbow issue after signing in 2016. He held up strong to the end with a 0.90 ERA over his final six starts.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #86 prospect in 2019
• Ranked Baseball America's #73 prospect in 2018

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Duplantier reached the majors in 2019, but he spent the year bouncing not only from Triple-A Reno to Arizona but also from the rotation to the bullpen, where the Diamondbacks primarily used him in the big leagues. He mostly struggled no matter the role or level as his season became a manifestation of the reservations scouts have harbored about him for years.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Duplantier again battled injuries—this time, shoulder inflammation—and also struggled to maintain his velocity while showing below-average command. For some scouts, both Duplantier’s injury and command issues stem from his high-maintenance delivery and long arm action. He spent the final months of the season working to correct those issues with then-Diamondbacks pitching coach Mike Butcher. At his best, Duplantier features a fastball that can touch the mid-90s along with a slider, curveball and changeup that all flash at least average, but consistency eludes him.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Diamondbacks hope a more consistent role as a starter in 2020 will allow Duplantier to regain his previous form. His struggles last season led to more questions about whether he is best suited for relief.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Duplantier reached the majors in 2019, but he spent the year bouncing not only from Triple-A Reno to Arizona but also from the rotation to the bullpen, where the Diamondbacks primarily used him in the big leagues. He mostly struggled no matter the role or level as his season became a manifestation of the reservations scouts have harbored about him for years.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Duplantier again battled injuries—this time, shoulder inflammation—and also struggled to maintain his velocity while showing below-average command. For some scouts, both Duplantier's injury and command issues stem from his high-maintenance delivery and long arm action. He spent the final months of the season working to correct those issues with then-Diamondbacks pitching coach Mike Butcher. At his best, Duplantier features a fastball that can touch the mid-90s along with a slider, curveball and changeup that all flash at least average, but consistency eludes him.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Diamondbacks hope a more consistent role as a starter in 2020 will allow Duplantier to regain his previous form. His struggles last season led to more questions about whether he is best suited for relief.
• August, 2018 Scouting Report
  Duplantier was assigned to the Arizona Fall League to make up for missing nearly two months to right biceps tendinitis earlier in the season. Earning AFL pitcher of the week honors for the first week of November, Duplantier started six games, posting a 3.32 ERA with an impressive 32 strikeouts in 21.2 innings.

  Duplantier’s fastball velocity jumped up a couple of ticks from the regular season, sitting 94-96 mph in the fall, and he mixes in both a slider and a power curveball. In one of his later starts, his nine strikeouts were the second highest total in an AFL game in the last 10 years. With a strong finish to the fall season, Duplantier will be looked at very seriously next spring as a candidate for a potentially rebuilt D-backs rotation.

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Duplantier picked up where he left off last year in terms of results. The problem, though, is a familiar one for him: He hasn’t been able to stay healthy. His season started two weeks late because of a hamstring issue and he hasn’t pitched since May 27 due to right biceps tendinitis. He isn’t expected back until late July. Scouts say his slider is flashing plus more often this year and that his change-up also has improved. Combine that with a low-90s fastball with plus life and command and scouts see at least a mid-rotation starter – assuming he can stay healthy.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Duplantier is a wild card for the Diamondbacks because he has explosive stuff but a concerning injury record. He missed all of the 2015 college season at Rice with a shoulder injury that did not require surgery, then an elbow issue limited him to only one inning in his pro debut at short-season Hillsboro after he signed for $686,600. Further, he didn't get on the mound in instructional league after he suffered a pulled hamstring during pitcher fielding practice. Duplantier is a strong, physical righthander who struck out 12 batters per nine innings in 2016 at Rice to rank eighth among Division I pitchers. Scouting Report: Duplantier used a 90-95 mph fastball in college, and he flashed an above-average curveball with some power and a developing changeup that still is a work-in-progress. The control of his pitches suffers when his arm slot wanders, prompted by his shoulder flying open too quickly in his delivery. While he didn't get into games during instructs, Duplantier threw a few bullpen sessions and reported no issues with his elbow.
  
  The Future: Months of rest after a heavy Rice workload could do wonders for Duplantier and his health. While he could move quickly as a power reliever relying on his two best pitches, Duplantier will stay in the rotation for now as he makes his full-season debut at low Class A Kane County in 2017.