Arizona Diamondbacks: Braden Shipley to make MLB debut
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ top pitching prospect, Braden Shipley, is making his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.
Prior to Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale announced that the D-Backs would be recalling their top prospect Braden Shipley to pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.
The Diamondbacks’ starting rotation, which had a lot of expectations placed upon it after the acquisitions of Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller during the offseason, has taken a few hits in 2016 with Greinke and Rubby De La Rosa going on the disabled list, and Miller being demoted to Triple-A Reno after posting a 2-9 record and a 7.14 ERA. The Diamondbacks are currently 40-57 and in last place in the National League West division.
Shipley, who was the 15th overall pick in the 2013 draft, is 8-5 with a 3.70 ERA in 19 starts with Triple-A Reno.
Hale discussed Shipley’s ability and what he think Shipley will bring to the team:
“Especially when you come to the big leagues, it’s a big jump,” Hale said. “His pitches play in the big leagues. His fastball, if it’s down, is very good. He’s got a very above-average changeup and breaking ball. He has a chance to compete, we just have to work with him and realize there’s going to be some butterflies tomorrow and have him enjoy it.”
Hale also said that Shipley’s development will continue at the big league level and that Shipley has what it takes to compete with the big club:
“His pitches play in the big leagues. His fastball, if it’s down, is very good. He’s got an above-average change-up and breaking ball. He has a chance to compete. We just have to work with him and realize there are going to be some butterflies tomorrow and have him enjoy it.”
Shipley was ranked No. 63 on Baseball America’s Midseason Top Prospects list after starting the year at No. 58, and ESPN’s Keith Law ranked him No. 24 overall on his top 100 prospects list before the 2016 season.
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Shipley had a strong July, going 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA in three appearances. His best start was on July 18 against Colorado Springs when he lasted seven innings, gave up only one run and struck out seven batters. He will be the third top prospect to play for the Diamondbacks in 2016 following the promotions of both Archie Bradley and Zack Godley earlier this season. Godley picked up the win on Sunday in Cincinnati.