Diamondbacks like What They See from ‘Steal’ Jon Duplantier

Low Class A Kane County righthander Jon Duplantier is the kind of pitcher Rich Sauveur hasn’t come across too often in his years as a minor league pitching coach.

The 22-year-old Duplantier boasts a four-pitch mix, command, mound presence, intelligence and the ability to make adjustments on the fly. That is a rare combination of attributes for a pitcher in his first full season.

“This kid is going to move very quickly,” said Sauveur, Duplantier’s pitching coach.

Through seven Midwest League appearances, Duplantier went 3-0, 0.74 with 48 strikeouts and eight walks in 36.1 innings.

Viewed as an injury risk out of Rice, Duplantier slid to the third round last year, where the Diamondbacks grabbed him with the 89th overall selection.

“For us to get him in the third round,” Sauveur said, “I think it’s a steal.”

Sauveur said Duplantier sat 90-94 mph while averaging about 92. He sees three secondary pitches—slider, curveball and changeup—that already grade as above-average, though he said his slider can alternate between being Duplantier’s best offspeed pitch and his most inconsistent.

He said it all comes from an “effortless” delivery that Duplantier, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, smoothed out with minor league rehab coordinator Brad Arnsberg.

Duplantier’s upside reminds Sauveur of two other prospects he crossed paths with in the minors: Yovani Gallardo and Clay Buchholz. He saw both as future No. 2 starters.

“I’d put (Duplantier) there right now as a No. 2 or 3, easy,” he said. “I think he’ll be pitching a long time, I really do. Health is going to be the main thing, and his stuff and his head are going to take him the rest of the way.

“I don’t want to say anything to jinx the kid, but he’s got a lot of talent and a very high ceiling, no doubt about it.”

— Nick Piecoro covers the Diamondbacks for AZCentral.com