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Arizona Diamondbacks Top 10 Prospects for 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Famous cat Grumpy Cat wears an Arizona Diamondbacks hat prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Famous cat Grumpy Cat wears an Arizona Diamondbacks hat prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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10. Jon Duplantier, RHP

Birthdate: 7/11/94 (22 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: short-season A-ball
Stats in 2016: just one inning of pro ball with two walks and three strikeouts

Duplantier was draft-eligible in 2015, but a shoulder injury cost him the season, and he went undrafted. He returned to Rice and was the Conference USA pitcher of the year this year.

Duplantier, as you can see in the video, is a “full-grown man”, standing 6’4 and listed at 225 pounds. He is truly an exceptional athlete, and watching him move off the mound to grab bunts and such is quite impressive.

While Rice has a reputation for having “ruined” their pitchers, and Duplantier has a previous history of injury to his shoulder, so there has been plenty of worry with Duplantier, but in watching him throw, I really am not seeing him as any more a risk than anyone who pitches.

Duplantier’s long arms and legs allow him to get great extension to the plate

Duplantier has a fastball that can climb into the upper 90s in short stints and sits in the range of 92-95 with a very impressive curve. He had excellent command and control in college, so don’t let his 2 walks in his only professional inning worry you about his ability to keep the ball in the zone.

The fastball has tremendous sink to it, and Duplantier’s long arms and legs allow him to get great extension to the plate, allowing his fastball to get on hitters even faster than its posted velocity.

Duplantier will likely be fast-tracked by the Diamondbacks and pushed forward quickly early in his minor league track by the organization. If he can maintain his health, Duplantier is one of the few guys in the system with front-line starter potential.

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