Diamondbacks’ Daniel Eagen Keeps A Steady Mix In Pro Debut
High-A Hillsboro righthander Daniel Eagen said he was just trying to do what he always does—attack hitters—and did not realize what was happening until he had already struck out two batters on six pitches in the first inning on April 24.
Three pitches away from an immaculate inning, Eagen finished the feat on the next batter, hollering and pumping his fist on his way off the mound.
It wasn’t until he was asked to recall the pitches he threw in that first inning that he realized how neatly it fit with the goals the Diamondbacks had in mind for him entering the year.
“The first at-bat was curveball (for strike three), second was fastball, third was slider,” Eagen said. “The whole trifecta . . .
“If you can keep a steady mix throughout the whole outing, you’re going to keep a lot of hitters off balance if you can fill up the zone with them.”
Through five starts with Hillsboro, Eagen had a 3.00 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks in 24 innings. It was an encouraging start to his pro career for the 2024 third-round pick out of Presbyterian.
Eagen’s fastball sits 91-94 mph with good carry. His gyro slider has been an effective weapon against righties, while he said his curve has been able to lock up lefthanded hitters. He said he has not landed on a splitter he is comfortable with but hopes to find one as the season progresses.
“I think the main goal is staying healthy and learning the ropes of a full pro season,” said the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Eagen. “It’s very taxing. You just want to be healthy during the whole thing.
“I want to show that not only can I take care of my body, but I can be consistent and reliable so I can continue to move through this organization as a starter.”
The 22-year-old opened eyes by turning in two scoreless innings in the D-backs’ Spring Breakout game. Evaluators see the makings of a midrotation arm or perhaps a late-inning relief weapon.
“Super interesting,” a scout with an American League club said in the spring. “I kept thinking to myself while I’m watching him that this might be another Brandon Pfaadt, the under-the-radar college guy.
“The arsenal is going to have to improve overall, but it’s a low-risk, high-reward play. Out of that entire group, he was probably the guy everyone went, ‘OK. Wow, where did this guy come from?’ “
