Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Will work on issues in minors
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks will work with Pfaadt in the minors to correct the issues they spotted during the pitcher's five-start run in the majors, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.
Pfaadt was sent back to the minors Saturday after posting an 8.37 ERA over 23.2 innings. Command was the number one issue that haunted Pfaadt in the majors. He didn't miss many bats, gave up too much loud contact and was in the 15th percentile in strikeout percentage (16.8). The club identified a mechanical issue that consisted of Pfaadt transferring his weight too early, causing his arm slot to drop, which led to wavering command. Additionally, the right-hander had heavy usage of his fastball. "I don't know of anybody that lives at 65% fastball rate and is a starting pitcher and gets away with it for six or seven innings," manager Torey Lovullo said. The Diamondbacks viewed that fastball usage as a red flag, but he could get away with it in the minors. Not in the majors, however, where patient hitters waited for fastballs over the middle of the plate. Pfaadt will likely need to correct the mechanical issue and introduce all his pitches if he's going to reach his potential.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Likely headed to minors
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Pfaadt does not have a locker in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse, which likely means he's been optioned, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
It would seem several roster moves are imminent. Zach Davies (oblique) is set to return from the injured list and Drey Jameson is said to be with the team, presumably to provide bullpen depth after Pfaadt only went 3.2 innings in Friday's loss. The future is bright for Pfaadt, but he's struggled to keep the ball in the yard in his first cup of coffee, resulting in an 8.37 ERA through five starts.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Yields five runs in loss
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Pfaadt (0-2) allowed five runs on eight hits and struck out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Red Sox.
There's only one silver lining here -- Pfaadt didn't walk a batter for the first time in five starts. The Red Sox got to him for three runs in the second inning, and Enrique Hernandez added a two-run home run in the fourth. Pfaadt has given up five or more runs in three of his outings, and this was his shortest start yet. The 24-year-old right-hander is now at an 8.37 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through 23.2 innings. Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic suggests this could put Pfaadt's spot in the rotation in jeopardy, and that makes sense with Zach Davies (oblique) nearing a return. If Pfaadt gets another start, it would likely come at home versus the Rockies next week.
Pfaadt did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.
Pfaadt made it through his fourth big league start relatively unscathed, with all three earned runs coming on one swing of the bat by Ke'Bryan Hayes, who drilled a bases-loaded triple in the third inning. After giving up 13 runs and six homers over his first two appearances (9.2 innings) Pfaadt has bounced back with four earned runs and one homer allowed over his last two starts (10.1 innings). After touting 218 strikeouts in 167 innings of minor-league ball in 2022, fantasy managers who took a shot on the highly ranked prospect have yet to reap any real benefits in that department considering Pfaadt's measly 14:8 K/BB and 7.56 ERA through 20 innings of big league work. Though it's unclear if Pfaadt will make another trip around the Arizona rotation, he remains no more than a dart-throw streaming option for those willing to take another chance on the rookie's strikeout upside and prospect pedigree.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Solid in no-decision
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Pfaadt allowed one run on one hit and three walks over five frames in Sunday's win over the Giants. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.
Pfaadt turned in the best start of his MLB career Sunday. The only hit he allowed, a solo shot by Michael Conforto, accounted for the Giants' lone run. Pfaadt coughed up 13 runs in his first two career starts before Sunday's strong performance. His ERA still sits at an unsightly 8.59 with an 11:6 K:BB. Pfaadt's next start is projected to be in Pittsburgh.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Not much better in second start
Rotowire
Pfaadt (0-1) took the loss Tuesday versus the Marlins, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings.
Pfaadt had trouble with Jorge Soler, who accounted for two home runs and five RBI against the Arizona rookie. That's after Pfaadt gave up four homers in his debut versus the Rangers last Wednesday. The top prospect came to the majors with plenty of hype, but a 12.10 ERA through 9.2 innings suggests he may not quite be ready for the show yet. Manager Torey Lovullo said after Tuesday's game that Pfaadt will get another turn in the rotation, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. That outing is likely to come over the weekend at home versus the Giants, but it's safe to say Pfaadt could have a short leash if he doesn't get his homer problem under control.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Call-up confirmed
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The Diamondbacks selected Pfaadt's contract from Triple-A Reno ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
The 24-year-old right-hander will be making his much-anticipated big-league debut in Texas, stepping into a back-end rotation spot for Arizona after the team recently released Madison Bumgarner and optioned Drey Jameson to Triple-A. Pfaadt attracted attention in the minors through his gaudy strikeout rates, as he punched out 218 batters in 167 innings between Reno and Double-A Amarillo in 2022 and has struck out 30 in 25.1 innings thus far in 2023. The strikeout potential Pfaadt brings to the table makes him an intriguing speculative pickup in nearly any league where he might be available on the waiver wire.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: To make MLB debut Wednesday
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The Diamondbacks will call up Pfaadt from Triple-A Reno to start Wednesday's game against the Rangers in Texas, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
The writing was on the wall for Pfaadt's promotion when the Diamondbacks listed Wednesday's starter as "TBA" before Piecoro's report confirmed as much. One of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, the 24-year-old right-hander has registered a 3.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB through 25.1 innings (five starts) this season in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He tallied 218 strikeouts in 167 innings last season between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A. The swing-and-miss upside he brings to the table makes Pfaadt a must-add option in the majority of fantasy leagues.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Could make MLB debut Wednesday
Rotowire
Pfaadt could be promoted from Triple-A Reno to start Wednesday against the Rangers at Globe Life Field, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Nothing has been officially announced by Arizona, but the fact the Diamondbacks aren't yet listing a confirmed starter for Wednesday points to Pfaadt likely getting the call to the big leagues. Pfaadt has thus far checked all the boxes for his Triple-A development, and he would be available to make the start Wednesday on six days' rest. Pfaadt, who logged 167 innings in the minors last season, has a career 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 87 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Shines in Triple-A start
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Pfaadt allowed three hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
Pfaadt turned in his most dominant performance of the season during a week in which the parent club's rotation underwent a shakeup. The Diamondbacks designated Madison Bumgarner for assignment, but opted for Tommy Henry as an initial replacement. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said logistics were the main reason for that decision, meaning Henry was closer to being on turn for a start Monday, per Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic. Hazen considered bringing Pfaadt up to start Friday instead, but the GM acknowledged the cascading effect it would have had on the rotation's existing members wasn't ideal. Hazen added that he feels Pfaadt is ready to pitch in the majors, and Thursday's performance by the organization's top pitching prospect appears to back up the GM's assessment. After a rocky first start this season, Pfaadt has settled in over three subsequent outings, posting a 1.62 ERA and 18:4 K:BB over 16.2 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Pitching at Triple-A on Thursday
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Pfaadt is scheduled to start Thursday for Triple-A Reno, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.
It's notable that Pfaadt is basically on the same pitching schedule as Madison Bumgarner, who was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Pfaadt could eventually slide into Arizona's starting rotation as a direct replacement for Bumgarner, though Tommy Henry will reportedly get the first chance to fill the opening. Pfaadt, 24, has posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 395:64 K:BB in 312 career minor-league innings and entered the 2023 campaign as a consensus top-100 prospect. He's tallied 17 strikeouts through 13.1 frames this season with Reno.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Rebounds in second start
Rotowire
Pfaadt allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings for Triple-A Reno on Saturday.
Pfaadt, who gave up his fifth home run in two starts, was much better his second time out. The outing also came on the same day that Arizona starter Zach Davies was removed with an oblique injury, which does not appear to be a minor one, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Pfaadt being on the same schedule as Davies puts him into consideration as a replacement. The Diamondbacks could also turn to Drey Jameson, a starter working out of the Arizona bullpen. Aside from Davies' situation, the Diamondbacks may require another starter given the performance of Madison Bumgarner over his first two outings (eight runs, nine hits, 10 walks, 8.2 innings). There could potentially be rotation spots for both Pfaadt and Jameson.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Promoted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Pfaadt was promoted from Double-A Amarillo to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
One of Arizona's best pitching prospects, Pfaadt had a 4.99 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 82:9 K:BB in 57.2 innings over his last 10 starts while pitching in hitter-friendly conditions. The conditions won't get any better in the Pacific Coast League. Pfaadt's 3.65 xFIP at Double-A is a more indicative mark as to how well he did at that level. He could join the big-league rotation early next year.
