Arizona Diamondbacks 2023 MLB Draft Report Card
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Revisiting the 2023 D-backs MLB Draft class after the conclusion of the minor league season.
Best Pure Hitter: After back to back years picking inside the top 10, Arizona found itself with the No. 12 pick in the 2023 draft, though they still targeted an advanced hit tool with Stanford shortstop Tommy Troy (1). Troy has a chance for an above-average bat and performed well in his pro debut, though don’t sleep on third baseman Gino Groover (2), who graded out well in a number of offensive categories with North Carolina State.
Best Power Hitter: Troy (1) doesn’t have crazy loud raw power, but his advanced hitting ability might give him the most accessible game power right now. In terms of the most raw power in the class, that is probably lefthander and outfielder Caden Grice (2s), who has 70-grade raw power from a massive frame and homered 18 times this spring as a two-way player with Clemson. His contact ability with a wood bat in pro ball will ultimately determine how much of that power he gets to if he keeps hitting and pitching.
Fastest Runner: The D-backs clocked a few double-plus run times with Troy (1), and while he might be more of an above-average or plus runner overall, the fact that he can turn on the jets is encouraging. Another good runner in this class is outfielder Jack Hurley (3), who most amateur scouts viewed as a plus runner and has the speed and defensive chops to play all three outfield positions.
Best Defensive Player: None of the infielders Arizona selected inside the top 10 rounds are locks to stick up in the middle or even on the left side of the infield, but Hurley (3) has the physical tools and route-running ability to be an above-average defender at a number of positions in the outfield. Hurley played center field with Virginia Tech during the spring and most of his time in his pro debut came in center as well, though he did log games in both left and right as well. He also has an above-average throwing arm.
Best Fastball: Arizona targeted lefthanded pitchers early in this draft, but they came away with one of the biggest fastballs in the class when they took righthander Sam Knowlton (12) on day three. The 6-foot-8 righthander has been up to 101 mph and averaged 97 this spring. He has yet to pitch in pro ball, but when he does he’ll need to show improved control to make the most of that premium velocity.
Best Secondary Pitch: Lefthander Ryan Bruno (7) added a bit more velocity to his changeup in the 2023 season, but it remained a high-usage pitch for him and is a legitimate plus secondary. He threw the pitch for strikes at a strong, 66% clip with Stanford and generated a 65% whiff rate.
Best Pro Debut: Righthander Kyle Amendt (9) was one of the most impressive debut arms in the entire draft class. He posted an excellent 53.2% strikeout rate and whiffed 25 batters in just 12 innings. Sure, he was old for Low-A, but it was a dominant effort and his fastball showed plenty of riding life. Amendt was one of two Dallas Baptist arms Arizona selected who had a strong debut. Righthander Zane Russell (10), taken just one round after Amendt, posted a 1.02 ERA in 17.2 innings with 27 strikeouts and five walks between rookie ball, Low-A and High-A.
Best Athlete: Lefthander Grayson Hitt (4) was a two-sport athlete in high school who excelled on the football field as a wide receiver and free safety. He was a first team all-state receiver and holds records for his Houston High School program for receiving yards, catches and touchdowns.
Most Intriguing Background: Third baseman Kevin Sim (5) is the son of Korea Baseball Organization slugger Jong-Soo Shim, who hit 328 career home runs over 15 seasons and earned the nickname “Hercules” for his power.
Closest To The Majors: Troy (1) is the most advanced hitter in Arizona’s draft class. His overall instincts and advanced feel for the game should help him move quickly, and he played 23 games with High-A Hillsboro in his debut.
Best Day Three Pick (Or NDFA): Arizona spent a number of late picks on Texas college arms, and the organization is quite excited about righthander Hayden Durke (13), who received the highest day-three bonus of $350,000. Durke’s results in an 8.1-inning debut weren’t great, but he averaged 96 mph with his fastball and was up to 98, while fellow Rice righthander Matthew Linskey (16) posted a 2.57 ERA in seven innings, with 15 strikeouts, four walks and has solid riding life on a low-90s heater.
