D-backs promote top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt, DFA Alek Thomas
PHOENIX — The struggling Arizona Diamondbacks shook up their roster Friday, selling their top prospect, outfielder Ryan Waldschmidtfrom Triple-A and designating veteran outfielder Alek Thomas for task.
The 23-year-old Waldschmidt — who almost made the group out of spring coaching — was batting .289 with three homers, 22 RBIs and an .877 OPS at Triple-A Reno. He was the thirty first decide within the 2024 newbie draft out of Kentucky.
Waldschmidt was not within the beginning lineup Friday evening towards the New York Metshowever he had a pinch-hit single within the eighth inning of a 3-1 loss. Both of his dad and mom, his brother and a few buddies have been at Chase Field to look at.
“That’s one of the things you’re looking to do — get your first hit,” Waldschmidt mentioned. “For it to come in the first at-bat is really cool and definitely relieves some of the pressure that you put on yourself.”
The Diamondbacks have misplaced 12 of 16, falling to 17-20 this season.
The 26-year-old Thomas was hitting .181 with two homers in 100 plate appearances. The speedy heart fielder has been defensive participant all through his five-year tenure with the membership, however usually struggled on the plate.
He has a .230 profession batting common and a .273 on-base share. Arizona supervisor Torey Lovullo praised Thomas’ skill and work ethic, however mentioned the D-backs wanted higher at-bats on the backside of the order.
“This is a game of production, this is a game of being able to go out there and do your job,” Lovullo mentioned. “When things are grinding, and there’s someone as talented and ready as Ryan Waldschmidt is, these are the things that can potentially happen.”
Thomas had his share of huge moments with the Diamondbacks, notably throughout the group’s run to the World Series in 2023. He hit 4 homers throughout the postseason, together with a tying, two-run shot towards the Phillies in Game 4 of the NLCS.
D-backs normal supervisor Mike Hazen has seven days to commerce or launch Thomas earlier than he is placed on waivers. If he is not picked up by one of many different 29 groups, he might theoretically be despatched again to Triple-A Reno.
“He is a tremendously talented player and a great kid and he works his butt off,” Hazen mentioned. “It just didn’t click for us for extended periods of time here.”
