Drey Jameson Hits Speed Bump in Surprise

Early on this spring, Jameson and fellow prospect Brandon Pfaadt emerged as the two leading candidates to win the final starting rotation spot this spring. Jameson, who is coming off four scoreless innings in his first two starts, struggled in a 10-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals in Surprise. The Diamondbacks No. 5 prospect allowed three runs on four hits, one walk, and five strikeouts in 2.2 innings.

After allowing his run of the spring on a Michael Massey home run in the first, the rookie ran into trouble in the second. Jameson allowed three hits and walked a batter in the inning, getting pulled with two on and two out in favor of Carlos Vargas. Vargas went on to strike out Massey to limit the damage to two. Jameson would re-enter the game and pitch a clean third inning with a pair of strikeouts.

Nick Ahmed went 1-for-3 with a couple strikeouts. He also made an impact defensively, making a leaping catch to rob a potential extra base hit from Bobby Witt Jr. in the first. It was his first game since May 15th, as the D-backs shortstop had been on the mend due to a lingering shoulder issue that required surgery.

Evan Longoria picked up his first hit of the spring in the first inning. The veteran third baseman's timing hasn't looked right in his first few games, which could be a result of him missing time earlier in camp due to strep throat.

Mark Melancon had another rough outing, allowing two runs on three hits in the fourth. Hitters are 9-for-14 against Melancon this spring.

Joe Mantiply looked solid in his lone inning, inducing two groundouts include one for a 5-4-3 double play.

Tyler Gilbert struggled in the sixth, allowing four runs on four hits and two hit batters in the inning. He went on to get the only two batters he faced in the seventh before getting lifted for Ryan Hendrix.

Hendrix allowed a solo home run in 1.1 innings with one strikeout.

Zac Gallen will make his Cactus League debut against the Oakland Athletics at Salt River Fields tomorrow at 1:10PM MST. Gallen is hoping to build off a season in which he finished fifth in the National League Cy Young Award race.

Updates

D-backs No. 4 prospect Druw Jones took batting practice today on a backfield at Salt River Fields. He's recovering from left shoulder surgery and could be ready to go when the minor league season starts.

Good sign for Jones. https://t.co/ifzACuWgLC
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcD8393) March 6, 2023