Arizona Diamondbacks

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Vukovich was a two-sport star in high school and a finalist for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball honors. Intrigued by his athleticism, the D-backs drafted him and bought him out of a Louisville baseball scholarship with a $1.25 million bonus. In each of his two full seasons, he has started slow before finishing strong, showing reasons both to believe he is a future big league regular and to wonder if it will ever come together.

Scouting Report: Vukovich employs a closed stance, then strides open to get back to neutral, and while he has a clean swing, it can appear stiff and his bat speed is only average. Still, he has a knack for getting the bat to the ball and possesses plus raw power. He has an extremely aggressive approach, seemingly trying to cover all parts of the zone and often making contact on pitches he can't hit hard. He rarely walks, striking out more than five times as often. When he is locked in he can do damage to all fields. He does not always look smooth but is an excellent athlete. While he showed improvement at third base, his arm action created issues with throwing accuracy, making a move to the outfield increasingly likely. In fact, he began getting reps at all three outfield positions in July. He is an average runner who runs the bases extremely well, with good instincts and a feel for stealing bases.

The Future: Vukovich's supporters believe his history as a plus athlete from a cold-weather state means he has plenty of development to come. Not many players can thrive with such an aggressive approach, but that might matter less if he can learn to tap into his latent power more consistently. Still only 21, he will open 2023 at Double-A Amarillo.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Alexander had a strong showing on the summer circuit, but swing-and-miss concerns arose the following spring of his draft year. As an older senior who was said to have a high asking price, he slipped to the 11th round, where the D-backs took him and signed him for $500,000. He had a loud pro debut but struggled to replicate that success until 2022, when he posted a .928 OPS, the second-best mark in the organization among regulars.

Scouting Report: Alexander has a controlled swing with little to no wasted movement. He is at his best when he is taking aim at the right-center field gap. Alexander showed an improved approach last year, swinging less often at pitchers' pitches, and wound up making loads of loud contact. His profile still has significant risk. Though his data suggests he hits offspeeds well, questions remain as to whether that will translate to the majors. More alarmingly, his in-zone swing-and-miss rate of 29.7% ranked fourth-worst in the system. He is a flashy defender with smooth, easy actions, and though he can still boot routine balls, he showed more consistency last year and erased concerns about his ability to play at least an average shortstop. His plus-plus arm is his loudest tool.

The Future: Having shown he can handle short, Alexander's floor has been raised, but his ceiling depends on how far his bat takes him. If he can tap into his power often enough, he could be a Chris Taylor-type hitter. Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 70.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Melendez played two seasons at Odessa (Texas) College before transferring to Texas, where he immediately became one of the better hitters in the Big 12. A DH-only his first year there, he went to the Marlins in the 16th round in 2021 but did not sign. He returned to Texas and not only played a solid first base but also improved as a hitter. He had a monster year, capturing the Golden Spikes Award and slugging 32 home runs, the most since the NCAA adopted bat restrictions in 2011.

Scouting Report: Melendez uses his lower half well to generate and transfer energy before uncorking his powerful swing. His all-fields power is his calling card, but he also demonstrates feel to hit. He cut down on his strikeouts last year, in part thanks to a quicker swing that made it easier to shore up his approach and chase less. He also improved his walk rate. Those strides helped convince the D-backs they were taking a hitter on the rise despite him having played all last year at age 22. He is a below-average runner but his feet work well on defense and he has a chance to be an average first baseman. He also played a passable third base in his pro debut, a pleasant surprise to club officials. He has an average arm.

The Future: Melendez's batted-ball data suggests his debut was better than his subpar numbers (.206/.358/.351) would suggest, but he is going to need to hit a ton--and quickly, given his age--for his prospect value to remain intact. Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Cecconi shined on the summer circuit before his senior year, but a triceps injury limited his time on the mound the following spring. He wound up landing at Miami, where he pitched parts of two seasons before the D-backs took him at 34th overall. He impressed observers that year at the team's alternate site and in instructional league, showcasing elite stuff in short stints. He was nagged by injuries and never found his best stuff in 2021, but he showed flashes of dominance in a solid 2022 season.

Scouting Report: Cecconi averaged 93.7 mph with his fastball last year, allowing hard contact and struggling to miss bats with it. He can sit 95-96 mph with carry through the zone early in starts but it tapers off in the middle innings. His slider is his best secondary offering, a sharp, late-breaking weapon when he throws it in the 84-87 mph range. He got good results with his slow (70-75 mph) curveball, though it is unclear if it will play as effectively in the majors. His changeup improved but remains inconsistent. He threw strikes and logged innings. Coaches believe Cecconi can hold his top-end stuff longer by maintaining better direction down the mound, and that while his work habits improved he can dig deeper to take it to another level.

The Future: If he can learn to maintain his stuff, Cecconi has all the ingredients to be a mid-rotation starter. If not, his fastball/slider combo should work well in short bursts in relief. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 45. Slider: 60. Changeup: 40. Control: 55.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High

Track Record: Patino's $1.3 million agreement with the Rangers was nixed when he hurt his elbow prior to the July 2 signing period in 2017, opening the door for the D-backs to swoop in and sign him for $985,000. While climbing through the system, he had flashed his tooled-up game for stretches in the past, but last year he put together his most consistent season yet, hitting a combined .290 with 67 steals, tied for the sixth most in the minors.

Scouting Report: Patino has the kind of tools and physique that give him the potential to be an impact player. He has terrific bat speed and the ability to make hard contact to all fields, and his easy plus speed allows him to leg out extra bases. He remains a high-risk prospect because of his propensity to chase and swing-and-miss, particularly when it comes to spin, though he showed improvement in both categories last year. He also more than doubled his walk rate. He has steadily improved defensively to the point he is now viewed as a future center fielder. He gets high marks for his aptitude and makeup and is considered one of the best athletes in the system.

The Future: Patino still seems to be coming into an approach and figuring out who he is at the plate, but if it all comes together he could have a profile--speedy center fielder with double-digit home run potential--similar to a young Starling Marte. Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 65. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: Despite being undersized, Barrosa was well-liked as an amateur for his ability to consistently hit while showing an advanced approach, including in looks against older competition. The D-backs signed him for $415,000, and Barrosa has steadily climbed through the system, playing good defense at every stop and showing incremental improvements offensively. He turned in his best season last year, earning a spot on the D-backs' 40-man roster.

Scouting Report: Barrosa is a switch-hitter with a controlled swing from both sides, but he shows more natural strength through the zone from the right side. He improved last year at limiting his chase, drawing more walks and cutting down his swing-and-miss. His home run power could be limited, but he is a steady hitter with good bat-to-ball skills and is a plus runner, all of which could enable him to rack up doubles and triples. Still, his physical projection is limited and his overall offensive impact remains a question. He is a plus defensive outfielder who gets terrific reads and jumps, seemingly moving in the right direction before the ball is hit.

The Future: Though the D-backs are loaded with outfielders, Barrosa distinguishes himself as a switch-hitter. Given that he played all of last season at 21, he could still have room to develop. He figures to open next season at Triple-A Reno. Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 65. Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: The younger brother of Angels infielder David Fletcher, Dominic was a well-regarded recruit when he landed at Arkansas. During his three years there, he made a habit of turning in highlight-reel catches and was a reliable offensive performer, connecting for at least 10 home runs each season. The D-backs took him with the 75th overall pick in 2019. After spending 2020 at the alternate site, Fletcher turned in a so-so 2021 season at Double-A before rebounding with an impressive 2022 that finished at Triple-A Reno.

Scouting Report: Fletcher has a line-drive swing with average bat speed. He has surprising power for his size and is capable of generating loud exit velocities, but he is at his best when he is driving balls to the gaps. He toned down his aggressiveness after a disappointing 2021 season, and last year he walked more, struck out less and hit more balls hard. He is at least a plus defensive outfielder, with some believing he might be as good as Gold Glove finalists Alek Thomas and Daulton Varsho. Fletcher has average speed but makes up for it with excellent routes and reads.

The Future: With so many other lefthanded-hitting outfielders ahead of him, Fletcher is in a tough spot. It might take a trade--either of him or someone in front of him--to open up a big league opportunity. As it stands, Fletcher looks likely to return to Triple-A Reno to wait for his chance. Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 50. Fielding: 65. Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The D-backs had already been tracking Santana when the pandemic hit, and when they saw him again after scouting restrictions had been lifted they were taken aback by how much he had improved. Intrigued by his tools and advanced offensive approach, they wound up signing him to a $750,000 deal. Santana put together an impressive debut in the Dominican Summer League, showing flashes of the powerful offensive profile on which the D-backs are betting.

Scouting Report: Santana gets good extension on his quick, aggressive swing, generating hard contact to all fields. He goes to the plate looking to do damage but shows good plate discipline relative to his age and experience level. His power projects to be at least plus. He recognizes and has shown an ability to hit breaking balls. He has some swing and miss concerns, but his ability to make adjustments helped him limit his strikeouts. He has plus speed, a surprise given his muscular build. He has good hands and footwork and a plus arm, giving him a chance to be at least an average defender at third.

The Future: Though he has yet to play outside the DSL, Santana has D-backs officials excited in the same way Deyvison De Los Santos did a few years ago. Santana will make his stateside debut in 2023 and will try to show he is the organization's next big power-hitting infield prospect. Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Lin was an accomplished amateur on the international stage whom the D-backs had been following for years, but his performance for Chinese Taipei in a tournament in the fall of 2021 pushed the organization over the top to sign him. Pitching at 18, he carved through a Venezuelan lineup filled with pros three or four years his senior. He received a $525,000 bonus, then had a dominant pro debut, leading the organization (minimum 50 innings) with a 40% strikeout rate.

Scouting Report: Lin's fastball sits 89-91 mph with good carry, touching 92-93. He confounds hitters with his array of offerings and his pitching acumen. He generates elite spin with his curveball and slider; at their best, the former is a downer with bite and the latter is a harder, slashing option. The slider might have the most upside, but his best current pitch is his changeup, which drops off the table with arm-side run. He also has tinkered with a two-seamer, a cutter and a variation of his changeup that behaves like a screwball. He is athletic and repeats his delivery well, allowing him to project for plus control. Lin could still add weight to his slender frame, which could help him eke out another couple of ticks of velocity.

The Future: Though not overpowering, Lin has some starter characteristics. The D-backs took things slowly with him in 2022, but they figure to let his performance dictate his progression in 2023. The highly competitive lefthander should begin the season at High-A. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 50. Slider: 60. Changeup: 60. Control: 60.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Ray is a big-bodied righthander whose amateur career was derailed by a pair of significant surgeries, but he showed glimpses of his upside last summer, prompting the D-backs to take a chance on him. Ray tore his ACL in a football injury his junior year of high school, then needed Tommy John surgery shortly after arriving at Alabama. He logged just 31 innings in 2022, all of it in relief, for the Crimson Tide, then pitched another 11 innings in the Cape Cod League, where the draft-eligible redshirt freshman's performance ultimately won over D-backs scouts.

Scouting Report: Ray was up to 96 mph with his fastball on the Cape, complimenting that with a power slider that has a chance to be plus and a curveball that projects to be average. He is working on incorporating a changeup. His stuff was up across the board on the Cape, and his ability to throw three pitches for strikes helped convince the D-backs he had the potential to start. Ray's injuries appeared to take a toll on his athleticism, but the D-backs saw glimpses of it returning and hope he will look even better the further he gets from his surgeries. He has relatively low mileage on his arm, which could translate into more potential for development.

The Future: Ray worked strictly in relief at Alabama, but the D-backs plan to give him a chance to start. With a loose arm, functional delivery and prototypical pitcher's frame, they see a potential innings-eater if it all comes together. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Slider: 60. Changeup: 45. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The D-backs were drawn to Torin's advanced defensive profile when they signed him for $240,000 in January 2022 but were unsure what sort of hitter they would be getting. Questions remain about his long-term offensive impact, but Torin surprised his new organization with his knack for finding the barrel. He was one of the organization's better performers in the DSL, hitting .333 with gap power and nearly twice as many walks (37) as strikeouts (20).

Scouting Report: Torin's bat speed is just average, but he sees the ball well and is seemingly on every pitch. He has advanced hand-eye coordination evidenced by his 10% overall whiff rate and 5% in-zone whiff rate. His swing decisions are good; he chases only 20% of the time. He does not safely project for even average power, but with his age and contact skills, more strength and pop could come in time. He is a flashy defender with soft hands, a plus arm and good instincts, with relatively few questions about his ability to stick at shortstop. He carries himself in the field with the flair of Javier Baez, his favorite player.

The Future: The D-backs are impressed with how polished Torin's game is for his age and club officials wouldn't be surprised to see him reach multiple levels next season. They envision him becoming a middle-of-the-diamond leader on defense and the kind of hitter a team wants at the plate in big situations. Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 50. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: The D-backs made Pena the highest-paid player ($1.2 million) in their international class in 2021 because they liked his loose, easy swing, his disciplined approach and his likelihood of sticking on the infield. He has held his own through two seasons, including reaching full-season ball at 18, opening eyes with his offensive potential and standout work ethic.

Scouting Report: Pena has a controlled but aggressive swing with plus bat speed and the ability to spray line drives to all fields. He has good hands and feel to hit. He has gap power now but should grow into more as he matures. He has no trouble timing up fastballs. He can get overly aggressive and pull happy. Still, he has the makings of a good approach thanks to his ability to recognize balls from strikes. He is a fringy runner and his lack of speed and quickness make him a better fit at second than short. He has the pregame routine of a big leaguer and impresses coaches with his diligence. Pena profiles as an average defender at second with an above-average arm.

The Future: The D-backs hope to see Pena add more strength to his frame, further refine his approach and show continued improvement as a hitter. They foresee a regular or semi-regular infielder with offensive impact. He will be 19 in 2023 and figures to open the season at Low-A Visalia. Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Martinez had recently converted from outfielder to pitcher when the D-backs signed him for $50,000 in March 2018. Athletic with a strong arm, he quickly showed all the makings of a raw but intriguing, high-end pitching prospect, but his career hit a roadblock when he needed Tommy John surgery in 2021. He returned last year and raced through four levels as a reliever, finishing his season with an impressive Arizona Fall League showing.

Scouting Report: Martinez sits in the mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball, occasionally touching triple-digits. He has average rise and carry through the zone. His slider is sweepy and sharp and flashes plus, but his best weapon is his split-change, an 85-89 mph dive-bombing pitch that elicits loads of swings and misses. Martinez came back from surgery throwing better strikes and pitching with more confidence than before. He is still an inconsistent strike-thrower, but his clean, repeatable delivery allows projection for average future control.

The Future: Martinez had been seen as a possible starter, but his injury led to the shift to relief--and possibly to a fast-tracking of his big league arrival. His impressive year prompted the D-backs to add him to their 40-man roster in November, and he will come to major league camp looking to make an impression in hopes of debuting sometime in 2023. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Slider: 55. Changeup: 65. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Vargas was Cleveland's highest-dollar international signee when he received $275,000 in 2016. The organization bet on his projectable frame and quick arm, and within two years, his fastball had climbed from the low 90s to touching 100 mph. He was added to the 40-man roster in the fall of 2020, then blew out his arm in the spring of 2021, ultimately having Tommy John surgery. He got back on the mound last year and performed well in a relief role, then was shipped to the D-backs for pitcher Ross Carver in November.

Scouting Report: Vargas sits 98 mph with his fastball, routinely reaching triple-digits. Because his four-seamer does not get good ride consistently, the Guardians introduced a sinker, eliciting better results. His slider is a legitimate weapon. He can throw it for strikes early in the count or bury it as a putaway pitch. It averages 90-91 mph and Vargas can occasionally dial it up into the 93-94 mph range. Vargas walked too many batters but it is possible that was due to his long layoff from competition. He is comfortable working down in the zone but needs to learn to better command up in the zone.

The Future: Vargas joins an organization starved for power bullpen arms, putting him in position to claim a job with a strong spring. If he sharpens his command and control, the stuff could play in a high-leverage role. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 70. Control: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: Canzone reached base in 59 consecutive games in his junior year at Ohio State, hitting .345 with 16 homers and leading the Big Ten in hits, total bases and slugging. His limited profile likely caused him to slip to the eighth round, but he has done little but make consistent hard contact since getting into the D-backs' system.

Scouting Report: Canzone's swing has never done much for scouts, who describe a rigid, sometimes stiff-looking cut that can be in and out of the zone quickly. But he produces good bat speed and has a knack for finding the barrel. He ranks near the top of the organization in percentage of balls hit 95 mph or harder (40.2) and average exit velocity (89.5 mph), doing so while carrying decent walk (8.5 percent) and strikeout (19.5 percent) rates. He puts together consistently tough at-bats. All of which is good because his bat will need to be his carrying tool; he grades as fringe-average with his defense, arm and speed.

The Future: Canzone's bat might be good enough to carve out a role, perhaps as a Corey Dickerson type. His path to Arizona is complicated by the Diamondbacks' logjam of outfielders, especially considering Canzone's defensive limitations, plus the fact he was left off the 40-man in the winter. Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 40.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Pintar was an undersized walk-on when he arrived at BYU from nearby Spanish Fork (Utah) High, but he became the first player under then-coach Mike Littlewood's tenure to subsequently earn a scholarship. A blue-collar type whose work ethic was forged on the family farm, Pintar gained size and strength and by the end of his redshirt freshman year had turned into one of the better offensive players in the WCC. His college career was derailed by a capsule injury in his right shoulder that needed multiple surgeries, leading him to fall in the draft.

Scouting Report: Pintar has a line-drive swing and the ability to make consistent, hard contact. He has a disciplined approach, rarely swings and misses and uses the whole field well. He could have latent plus power if he can learn to hit the ball in the air more often. He is a terrific athlete with plus speed. Defensively, he has the hands and footwork to play shortstop, but how his arm bounces back from the surgeries will determine his position, with second base and center field as the most likely possibilities.

The Future: Before his injury, the D-backs saw in Pintar a player in the mold of A.J. Pollock. They were willing to roll the dice on his upside, though time will tell how he looks once he is back on the field. Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Very High

Track Record: Unsigned at 16, Diaz quit baseball for a year or so before giving it one last try. The D-backs saw him hit 92 mph and brought him to the Dominican Republic in early 2020 to work out. The pandemic hit, stranding him there, but he had access to the team's facility, allowing him to eat well and train regularly. Within months, he was up to 95 mph and the D-backs signed the then-20-year-old for $10,000. He enjoyed a breakout 2022 season, reaching High-A and seeing his velocity approach triple-digits.

Scouting Report: At his best, Diaz has a fastball that can sit at 96 and touch 99 mph. The pitch has good carry and he uses it well at the top of the zone. His curveball is his most trusted secondary pitch, but it can get loopy at 76-78 mph. He began throwing a slider last season and it flashed plus with tight, lateral action. It could become his best weapon after his fastball. He also has a changeup that he throws with good selling action. It projects to be an average pitch. Diaz has below-average control that could get to fringe-average in time.

The Future: Diaz has some characteristics that could allow him to develop into a starter, but the club's newfound depth in that area -- and Diaz's subpar command -- could push him into a relief role sooner than later. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Very High

Track Record: Seen as a possible first-round pick entering his senior year of high school, Savino instead enrolled early at Virginia, where he performed well but did not develop the way many scouts hoped. He did show signs of progress in 2022, particularly with a late-season uptick in stuff, displaying better velocity on both his fastball and slider.

Scouting Report: At his best, Savino can sit around 93-94 mph with his fastball. He gets good sink and arm-side run with the pitch and is at his best when working at the bottom of the zone. As a result, he is more about inducing ground balls than hunting swings and misses. He can get whiffs with his slider, which shows depth and lateral movement and ranges between 80-86 mph. His changeup, perhaps his best secondary pitch in high school, projects to be average despite being used sparingly last year. He is a consistent strike-thrower whose command flashes plus. He throws from a low three-quarters arm slot and from a delivery that looked looser and more athletic last season.

The Future: Savino has all the ingredients to have a future as a back-of-the-rotation starter. If he can maintain the bump in stuff he displayed last season and find it more consistently, perhaps he could be more than that. If not, he could project as an effective reliever. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 55.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Zapata was the D-backs top signing for the 2023 international signing class, hailing from the Dominican Republic.

Scouting Grades: Zapata has a long, lanky and athletic frame at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds and looks like he might continue growing. Scouts highest on Zapata liked his bat speed, ability to put together quality at-bats and ability to use the whole field. His long levers gave some scouts concerns about the length to his swing path, but others liked his ability to hit in games and make hard contact to the middle of the field. Zapata mostly has gap power now, though with significant strength projection with so much space to still fill out. He's an above-average runner who should begin his career in center, though at his size he might end up slowing down and sliding over to right field with his plus arm that could also tick up as he gets stronger.

The Future: He should make his debut in the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Field: 50. Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Rodriguez, who signed in January from the Dominican Republic, is young for his class and will make his pro debut when he's still 16.

Scouting Report: The maturity of his swing decisions, though, is advanced beyond his years. He tracks and recognizes pitches well, stays disciplined within the strike zone and puts together consistent quality at-bats with a sound lefthanded swing and a good track record of hitting in games. As he's gotten stronger, he's started to sting the ball with more authority, though it's still a hit-over-power game with gap power that should continue to grow. Rodriguez has easy actions in the box and defends his position well at shortstop, too. He can finish plays with a plus arm that could still tick up another grade as he continues to fill out.

The Future: Rodriguez will make his debut in the DSL.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 60