Majors: Organization Reports: Arizona Diamondbacks: 2009

Tony Abreu's Offense Impressed The Diamondbacks
Nov. 3, 2009
It should have come as no surprise when the Diamondbacks identified Tony Abreu as the player they wanted from the Dodgers in exchange for righthander Jon Garland in a trade completed Aug. 31. [...] Continue Reading »

Young Hitters Drive Missoula's Success
Oct. 16, 2009
Not only was Missoula one of the best teams in the Rookie-level Pioneer League, but it was also one of the youngest. [...] Continue Reading »

Hester Pushing For A Job In The Majors
Oct. 2, 2009
As if to punctuate his ascension this season, John Hester hit a 420-foot home run high off the batter's eye in dead center field in his first major league plate appearance Aug. 28. The Chase Field crowd made Hester take a curtain call, and it may not be the last time. [...] Continue Reading »

Diamondbacks Final Report
Sep. 17, 2009
Outfielder Gerardo Parra homered in his first big league at-bat and blossomed into a darkhorse candidate for National League rookie of the year honors. [...] Continue Reading »

Shortening Swing Helps Ryal Reach The Majors
Sep. 8, 2009
Rusty Ryal extended his breakout season without a break when he arrived in the major leagues for the first time Aug. 10. [...] Continue Reading »

Diamondbacks Shut Down Jarrod Parker
Aug. 24, 2009
To say it has not been a good year for top starting pitchers in the Diamondbacks organization is understating the obvious. A few days after 2006 Cy Young winner Brandon Webb had season-ending shoulder surgery after making only one appearance this year, the club's top pitching prospect, righthander Jarrod Parker, was shut down for the season after feeling elbow pain during a July 31 start at Double-A Mobile. [...] Continue Reading »

Diamondbacks Intriqued By Mercedes' Bullpen Success
Aug. 7, 2009
About this time last year, Roque Mercedes was moved to the bullpen after almost four fitful seasons as a starter in the Brewers organization. The move worked well, so well that the Diamondbacks identified Mercedes as the pitcher they wanted in a trade-deadline deal that sent second baseman Felipe Lopez to Milwaukee for Mercedes and outfielder Cole Gillespie. [...] Continue Reading »

Diamondbacks Thrilled To Have Brandon Allen
Jul. 27, 2009
Maybe the Diamondbacks saw all they needed to see of first baseman Brandon Allen in his first game at Double-A last season, when he homered twice off a lefthander named David Price. [...] Continue Reading »

Diamondbacks Midseason Report
Jul. 10, 2009
Jack Magruder selects midseason award winners for the Diamondbacks system, designating prospects in the Best Player, Biggest Leap Forward and Biggest Disappointment categories. [...] Continue Reading »

Arizona Gets Offensive
Jun. 9, 2009
The Diamondbacks took prep third baseman Bobby Borchering with its first first-round pick, the 16th overall selection, and followed that one pick later with Notre Dame outfielder A.J. Pollock. The duo was a part of Arizona's record haul that included seven selections in the top 64 picks and eight of the top 95. [...] Continue Reading »

New Face, New Place
Jun. 8, 2009
Kyler Newby spent a day in the major leagues this season, and it could be a precursor of things to come. [...] Continue Reading »

Still Upbeat
Jun. 1, 2009
Bryan Augenstein caught the Diamondbacks' eyes immediately with his ability to throw strikes, and it led to a quick trip to the major leagues. [...] Continue Reading »

Living The Dream
May. 15, 2009
Righthander Esmerling Vasquez signed with the Diamondbacks in 2003 out of the Dominican Republican, five weeks before his mother passed away, and he is living his dream and her's right now. [...] Continue Reading »

The Right Stuff
May. 1, 2009
Righthander Trevor Harden was headed to Miami as a closer last year before the Diamondbacks interceded in the June draft, and they have not closed the door on a different pitching option. [...] Continue Reading »

Whatever It Takes
Apr. 17, 2009
Ryan Roberts learned he had made the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster on April 4, a day before it was officially announced. The whirling dervish could finally rest. [...] Continue Reading »

Bouncing Back
Apr. 3, 2009
As a hard-thrower who had high-ceiling stuff and impact potential, righthander Juan Gutierrez was considered a sleeper when he was acquired in the Jose Valverde trade with the Astros in the winter of 2007. [...] Continue Reading »

Back In Style
Mar. 20, 2009
Spring training is hardly a grind for lefthander Clay Zavada. Consider Zavada's schedule this time last year. [...] Continue Reading »

Opportunity Knocks
Mar. 6, 2009
Looking to deepen a bullpen that lost undervalued righthanders Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz over the winter, the Diamondbacks acquired Bobby Korecky the first week of spring training. [...] Continue Reading »

Bullpen Bound
Feb. 19, 2009
here was nothing small about the contributions righthander Yusmeiro Petit made to the Diamondbacks last season. [...] Continue Reading »

Murillo's Hot Winter
Feb. 9, 2009
Agustin Murillo spent the last two seasons primarily in his native Mexico, where he had explosive regular season and winter league numbers. Now the Diamondbacks hope that will translate to their new Triple-A Reno affiliate this year. [...] Continue Reading »

Keeping Busy
Jan. 26, 2009
Outfielder Gerardo Parra began the winter league season in Zulia hitting third before gradually moving up in the lineup to second, and then leadoff, as some of the more veteran players reported for duty. [...] Continue Reading »

A Natural Choice
Jan. 9, 2009
The Diamondbacks are glad to welcome Brett Butler back in a managerial capacity this season, believing his career can—and even should—be an inspiration for those he guides. [...] Continue Reading »

Unique Opportunity
Dec. 30, 2008
James Skelton may not have the body type often associated with catchers, but he does bring a bat that profiles about anywhere. [...] Continue Reading »