Arizona Diamondbacks Breakout MLB Prospects Entering 2024

Breakout Prospects

Caden Grice, LHP

Preseason rank: 14
BA Grade: 50. Risk: High.

Track Record: Grice has been an intriguing two-way prospect since his high school days and played both ways at Clemson as a lefthanded pitcher and power-hitting first baseman. He hit .307 with 18 home runs for the Tigers as a junior while going 8-1, 3.35 on the mound in his first year as a starter. Arizona drafted him as a pitcher in the supplemental second round and signed him for $1.25 million.

Scouting Report: Grice may have a higher ceiling at the plate due to his plus-plus raw power, but his propensity for striking out led the Diamondbacks to believe he offered more certainty on the mound. His fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 95 with good angle and ride to play as an above-average pitch. His breaking ball is another above-average pitch that alternates between a slider with tight break and a power curveball. Grice also throws an average changeup that has flashed better in the past. The D-backs were encouraged given his relative inexperience on the mound—just 94 innings in three years at Clemson—by the quality of both his strikes and pitch mix. He has surprising athleticism given his husky frame and his arm works well out of a sound delivery.

The Future: Grice may still get some opportunities to hit, but pitching will be his focus. He still has upside in development and projects to be a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting Grades
Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.

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Yassel Soler, 3B

Preseason rank: 18
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Extreme.

Track Record: The son of former Rays minor leaguer Ramon Soler, Yassel won over D-backs scouts with his consistent offensive performance and solid defense at third base as an amateur in the Dominican Republic. He signed with the club for $425,000 and made his debut in the Dominican Summer League a few months later. Soler hit .252/.363/.358 in the DSL while showing promising underlying traits, overcoming concerns he didn’t have the elite athleticism the D-backs tend to prefer on the international market. 

Scouting Report: Soler is a polished hitter who has a clean, balanced swing and makes consistent hard contact. He still needs to learn to drive the ball in the air, but he posts solid exit velocities for his age and level. He has an impressive ability to put the bat on the ball and rarely swings and misses in the strike zone. He is a potentially plus hitter with double-digit home run potential. Soler is an excellent defender who projects as a plus third baseman. He has plus hands and feet and an above-average, accurate arm. He earns high praise for his makeup, worth ethic and insightful questions. 

The Future: Soler is a strong defender with a chance to hit enough to profile at third base. He’ll make his stateside debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 60. Power: 45. Run: 40. Fielding: 60. Arm: 55.

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Gian Zapata, OF

Preseason rank: 27
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Extreme.

Track Record: The D-backs followed Zapata closely for several years before signing him for $950,000 during the 2023 international signing period, their second-highest bonus in the class. Zapata flashed the ability to impact the game in several ways in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League and hit .254/.364/.522 with nine home runs.

Scouting Report: Zapata has a classically smooth, strong swing from the left side. With a big 6-foot-4 frame that includes long levers, he has natural length to his swing that creates leverage and power but also holes, which he will need to cut down as he progresses. He doesnít chase much and hits the ball hard on contact. Tall, wiry and broad-shouldered, Zapata has tremendous physical projection and elite athleticism. He is a plus runner who chews up ground in the outfield and on the bases with graceful strides. He gets good reads and tracks balls well in center field, but his ultimate position could be in right field if he fills out and slows down as projected. He has plus arm strength.

The Future: Zapata’s loud tools illustrate his massive upside, but he has to cut down on the holes in his swing. He is expected to arrive stateside in 2024.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Run: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.