Let’s meet the newest Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks traded for five young players at the trading deadline. Four players were a part of the Zack Greinke trade. The last player came from the Miami Marlins when the two teams dealt from surplus.
Zack Greinke Trade
The Diamondbacks traded ace pitcher Zack Greinke to the Houston Astros for Seth Beer, J.B. Bukauskas, Corbin Martin and Joshua Rojas.
J.B. Bukauskas Scouting Report
Bukauskas is a 22-year-old right-handed starting pitcher. The Diamondbacks originally drafted him in the 20th round of the 2014 draft. This was despite Bukauskas telling every major league team not to draft him because he was going to enroll at the University of North Carolina.
Bukauskas went 21-6 with a 3.18 ERA as a Tarheel. The Astros drafted Bukauskas with the 15th overall pick in the 2017 draft. In three seasons as an Astros minor leaguer, he went 6-6 with a 3.90 ERA.
Bukauskas has all the tools to be a top pitcher but he has a problem throwing strikes particularly with his fastball. He has a high-quality change up and slider. His future is in the bullpen as a dominant relief pitcher or possibly a closer. But Bukauskas must be able to locate his fastball.
Corbin Martin Scouting Report
Corbin Martin is a 23-year-old right-handed starting pitcher. Martin played three seasons for Texas A&M University where he had an 11-5 record with a 4.01 ERA. The Astros selected Martin in the second round of the 2017 draft.
In three seasons as an Astros minor leaguer, Martin went 11-4 record and a 2.58 ERA. Martin started five games with the Astros this season and was not successful. He went 1-1 with a 5.59 ERA in 19 innings pitched. On July 3rd Martin had Tommy John surgery ending his season. He is not due back til late in the 2020 season.
The consensus is that Martin was not yet ready for the major leagues. His control was a big reason for his minor league success and that did not translate well in the majors. Pre-injury Martin threw a mid 90’s fastball topping out at 97 MPH. He also had a hard sharp slider and a good changeup.
Joshua Rojas Scouting Report
Joshua Rojas is a 25-year-old utility player. He played two seasons at the University of Hawaii batting .268 with five HR and 41 RBI. The Astros drafted Rojas in the 26th round of the 2017 draft.
The left-handed-hitting Rojas has slugged 38 HR with 164 RBI in the Astros minor leagues with a .281 batting average. Rojas has been a surprise player this season. His 20 HR has more than doubled his career total.
Rojas is just an average defensive player but can play every position on the field. He is a contact hitter who is very hard to strikeout. He projects as a very versatile utilityman.
Done deal.
The #Dbacks have acquired pitchers Corbin Martin and J.B. Bukauskas, infielder/outfielder Seth Beer, and infielder Joshua Rojas from the Astros in exchange for Zack Greinke and cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/qAN7ejWjZb
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 31, 2019
In a rare trade of surplus players, the Diamondbacks sent top prospect Jazz Chisholm to the Marlins for starting pitcher Zac Gallen. Chisholm’s path to the major leagues is blocked Nick Ahmed and possibly Ketel Marte. The Marlins have the same problem with their young starting pitchers so this indeed is a rare trade that helps both teams for the future.
Zac Gallen Scouting Report
Zac Gallen is a 23-year-old right-handed starting pitcher. After playing three seasons at the University Of North Carolina Gallen was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2016 draft.
Prior to the 2018 season, Gallen was traded to the Miami Marlins in the Marcell Ozuna trade. In four minor league seasons, Gallen went 27-18 with a 2.87 ERA. Gallen made his major league debut on June 20th and quickly made it known he belongs here. His 1-3 record does not indicate how good he has pitched. His 2.72 ERA and 1.183 WHIP speaks for itself.
Gallen does not have superior stuff. But what he does have is a great command of four pitches. Galled throws both a two-seam and four-seam fastball. In addition, he has an effective cutter and changeup.
His biggest strength is keeping hitters off balance. Because he does not possess great stuff he projects out as a number three starter.
While we wait out this weather, get to know the newest #Dbacks hurler: https://t.co/ZBGKZYbhYi#RattleOn pic.twitter.com/DhwFkR9exJ
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 31, 2019
