MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson’s legacy today. Also, some accolades announced for some D-back farmhands and a poll on our team’s biggest strength so far.
Diamondbacks News
The New Look Diamondbacks Bullpen Has Become a Team Strength by Jack Sommers [SI]
The clear and identifiable reason for the improvement from the current iteration of the bullpen is increased two-seam and four-seam fastball velocity. That is directly correlated to more strikeouts, fewer balls in play, and fewer hits.
Tommy Troy Wins Texas League Player of the Week by Jake Oliver [SI]
So far, over an admittedly small sample size, the 23-year-old has a wRC+ of 227 and is hitting .406 over nine games and 46 plate appearances. Troy’s walking at a 26.1% rate while striking out just 17.4% of the time.
This was the version of Troy that many pundits expected when Arizona selected him 12th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft with his eye at the plate and contact ability being key attributes for him. It’s also his first fully healthy season as 2023, he dealt with a foot injury and in early 2024 suffered a hamstring injury.
Troy, Waldschmidt make Prospect Team of the Week [MLB]
‘I enjoy those big moments’: Diamondbacks’ Josh Naylor on his go-ahead single in win vs. Brewers by Nick Piecoro [AZ Central]
Around the League
How MLB is commemorating Jackie Robinson Day by Jason Foster [MLB]
The tributes will be most prominent on the field. All MLB players and coaching staff will continue the tradition of wearing Robinson’s No. 42 during Tuesday’s games, with each team using a Dodger blue ‘42’ regardless of the club’s normal colors. Players, managers, coaches and umpires will also wear a ‘42’ patch on the side of their hats.
In addition, players will wear Nike “Breaking Barriers” T-shirts during batting practice, and commemorative base jewels and lineup cards will be used in each game. For fans, royal blue socks and other Robinson-focused items will be available for purchase at stadium retail locations.
2025-26 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: April Edition by Steve Adams [MLB Trade Rumors] {Ed. Note: Gallen is the second pitcher on these rankings, behind Dylan Cease (#2) and ahead of Framber Valdez (#7)}
6. Zac Gallen, RHP, Diamondbacks … Gallen, however, doesn’t have the same power arsenal as many of the pitchers on this list, which could hamper some of the interest. He’s going to be highly coveted, of course, but pitchers who average 93.5 mph on their heater aren’t going to have the same earning power as those who average three miles harder if all else is relatively similar. Modern front offices are drawn to velocity and strikeouts like moths to a flame. A healthy Gallen is all but a lock to cash in on a nine-figure deal, but he might come in a year under Cease and/or a few million dollars lighter in terms of average annual salary. Like Cease, he’s a slam-dunk QO recipient who’ll reject it without a second thought.
FanGraphs Power Rankings: April 7-13 by Jake Mailhot [FanGraphs] {Ed. Note: The Diamondbacks come in 7th in this batch of power rankings, which is higher than any team in the AL.}
Skenes, Davis form first battery of No. 1 picks [ESPN]
Skenes and Davis became the first pitcher/catcher battery in major league history, comprising players selected No. 1 in the draft. Skenes (2-1), the top pick in 2023, gave up two runs, one earned, and struck out six in six innings as the Pirates ended a three-game losing streak.
Davis, selected No. 1 in 2021, singled after replacing injured starter Endy Rodriguezin the first inning. Rodriguez lacerated the index finger on his right hand after a Skenes pitch hit James Wood’s foot and deflected toward Rodriguez.
Question of the Day