The Diamondbacks have quietly assembled one of the more impressive farm systems in baseball, blending high-end talent with growing organizational depth.
Jordan Lawlar remains a cornerstone prospect, still regarded as one of the game’s elite young talents and the clear headliner of Arizona’s pipeline. Meanwhile, 2024 first-rounders Slade Caldwell and Ryan Waldschmidt have started to make names for themselves, emerging as dynamic prospects with the potential to rise quickly through the ranks.
While the D-backs boast a well-balanced system overall, High-A Hillsboro stands out as a hotbed of talent, with several players featured prominently on this list and poised to make significant strides in the near future.
Read on below for prospect graduates, risers, fallers, new additions and injury updates below. Top 30 updates for all 30 teams can be found here.
Graduates
None
Risers
Slade Caldwell, OF: Caldwell’s strong on-base production, contact ability, speed and under-the-radar power make him one of the more exciting prospects in the California League over the early part of 2025.
Ryan Waldschmidt, OF: So far, the D-backs’ 2024 first-rounder is enjoying plenty of success. Waldschmidt was the team’s prospect promotion incentive pick for Corbin Carroll’s Rookie of the Year award, came in with an advanced skill set and showed it. He hits the ball hard and with plenty of power.
Cristian Mena, RHP: On many other teams, Mena would likely already have a spot in the big league rotation. But within Arizona’s deep pitching system, the 22-year-old has mostly refined his craft at Triple-A this year, delivering strong outings despite the challenges of the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. His fastball sits comfortably at 93-96 mph, and the organization projects him as a dependable midrotation starter with the potential for more as he matures, even if it comes in shorter stints out of Arizona’s bullpen for now.
Fallers
Demetrio Crisantes, 2B: Crisantes was showing promising progress this season in High-A before a shoulder surgery abruptly ended his year, further compounding a troubling injury history that dates back to high school. He underwent Tommy John surgery at 15 years old and has battled recurring elbow issues, now joined by this latest setback.
Yilber Diaz, RHP: Diaz was the organization’s top arm heading into 2025, but has struggled with walks in Triple-A. The D-backs sent him down to the Arizona Complex League in the hopes that he would gain more confidence and improve his command.
Pedro Catuy, OF: Catuy missed the entire 2024 season with a knee injury and just hasn’t been able to replicate the success he had in 2023 in the Dominican Summer League during his stateside debut in the Arizona Complex League.
Injuries
Demetrio Crisantes, 2B: Crisantes injured his left shoulder on a swing during a game on May 14 with High-A Hillsboro. It ended up requiring season-ending labral surgery. It is a similar procedure to what Jordan Lawlar and Druw Jones had in the past.
Adrian Del Castillo, C: Del Castillo landed on the injured list right before the season started with a right shoulder strain. However, he has excelled on a rehab assignment as of early June and should return soon.
Joe Elbis, RHP: Elbis has not pitched this year because of personal reasons. He is currently on the restricted list.
Connor Foley, RHP: Foley was transferred to the 60-day IL with a shoulder strain and is expected to be out for 10 weeks before resuming baseball activity.
Blake Walston, LHP: Walston made his MLB debut in May 2024 but had Tommy John surgery during spring training this year.
Caden Grice, RHP: Grice is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in the summer of 2024.
New Additions
Gavin Conticello, OF: Conticello has quick bat speed and has added some pop. He’s also playing a better outfield after transitioning from the infield. While still seen primarily as a platoon player in the long run, it’s an encouraging start to the season.
Jose Cabrera, RHP: Some could have written Cabrera off after an 80-game PED suspension in 2023. But he has returned with more velocity and a deeper arsenal that allows him to move through the lineup.
Enyervert Perez, 3B: Perez has made quite the impression on the D-backs since debuting in the Arizona Complex League. He hits the ball hard for his age and has strong bat-to-ball skills.
