Arizona Diamondbacks: Not worried about wins, losses

Prospects for the Arizona Diamondbacks gain important experience in Fall League.

If there is one, prevalent consequence in the Arizona Fall League, numbers mean little. Pertaining to the Arizona Diamondbacks, open the window and toss out batting averages, earned run league, errors and all the other metrics so heavily relied.

That’s because progress in the prestigious Fall League is measured by the ability to make adjustments and exercise skills. That’s the observation from J. R. House, manager of the Salt River Rafters, and the Diamondbacks minor league roving catching instructor. Though House had the responsibility of guiding the Salt River Rafters through a 29-game scheduled this autumn, he kept a detailed notebook on the six players from the Arizona organization. Prospects from the Rockies, the Brewers, the Marlins, the Diamondbacks and the Orioles also constituted the Rafters’ rosters.

Overall, House, on site, and GM Mike Hazen from the stands, kept careful eyes on prospects and their judgments will make those arguments on the merit from these players. Given the Diamondbacks level of success in 2017, and the desire to try and keep this team intact as much as possible, the possibility of any of the six to land on the major-league roster appear remote.

Still, there are a few scenarios out there which may open the door.

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One who could benefit is outfielder Victor Reyes, a 23-year-old out of Barcelona, Venezuela, who has progressed through the Diamondbacks organization. If the Diamondbacks fail to sign outfielder J. D. Martinez this off-season, then the status of Reyes, along with Socrates Brito, may rise in importance. Martinez’s absence would leave a significant hole in an outfielder in which Hazen must sign starting centerfielder A. J. Pollock and starting corner outfielder David Peralta, each restricted free agent.

Then, there is the status of Yasmany Tomas, who went down with season-ending surgery in late August and Hazen, and other club officials, continue to assert the Cuban native remains in their 2018 plans.

For Reyes, who is coming off a .292 season at Double-AA Jackson, the year represented continued growth. Acquired from Atlanta for the Diamondbacks Competitive Balance Round B pick (number 75) in 2015, Reyes started in the Arizona organization with a .311 batting average for Single-A Jane County in 2015, and then promoted to Advanced-A Visalia (.303 with 20 stolen bases).

All of which may put Reyes on Hazen’s radar screen. For House, who managed Reyes at Jackson and Salt River in 2017, told Call to the Pen that his education continues.

“Reyes has done a nice job all around,” House said. “He showed he can play in the corners and in the center field, and hit for a high average. One thing he’s done is which better than in the season is run the bases, getting out there and getting more aggressive. That’s been great to see.”

During the recently completed Fall Season, Reyes finished a .316 batting average for a Salt River club which ended with a 13-15-1 record and a second-place finish in the East Division.

Of the other prospects on Salt River, only infielder Jack Reinheimer (.324 batting average) is listed on the Diamondbacks 40-man roster.

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Still, three pitchers on Salt River demonstrated they can be competitive against advanced competition. Right-handed starter Ryan Atkinson (1-2, 3.00) and relievers, both lefties, Colin Porche (1-0, 3.31 ERA) and Kirby Bellow (1-0, 1.80) may draw some attention in the Arizona Diamondbacks 2018 training camp.

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