The Best Hit Tools in the Diamondbacks Farm System

Which Diamondbacks prospects are projected for the best batting averages when they reach the major leagues?

As continued coverage of the Diamondbacks farm, here at Inside the Diamondbacks we are going to do a tool-by-tool analysis and pick out the best prospects for each tool. Each tool is graded on the 20-80 scouting scale, where 50 is the major league average.

The first tool that will be showcased is perhaps the most important tool for a position player prospect, and that's the hit tool. Ultimately, this is the tool that will make or break hitters, especially for those that don't have any other standout offensive traits. Here's how the hit tool breaks down towards the projected batting average if a prospect gets 650 plate appearances in a season.

With the criteria and grades established, these are the top prospects in the D-backs system in terms of hit tool.

Cristofer Torin (60)

Full Scouting Report

Torin is a rare prospect who has a very well-distinguished hit tool for both his age and level. The 18-year-old middle infielder put up impressive numbers in both the Dominican Summer League and the Complex, hitting a combined .328 with 58 walks to 29 strikeouts. For a prospect of that age, it can be tough to distinguish whether or not they're a legitimately disciplined hitter or a passive hitter taking advantage of a level where pitchers struggle to consistently throw strikes. In Torin's case, it's a case of the former, as he was also able to rack up 20 extra base hits over that stretch. He'll be tested in full season ball, with the jump in competition from opposing pitchers, next year.

Gino Groover (55)

Full Scouting Report

Groover offers the best combination of bat-to-ball skills along with raw power this organization has, other than Christian Walker, with a 55 hit and 55 power grade after his summer debut. While his long term defensive position is a question mark, his bat is not. If he has the breakout year we expect in 2024, he could be the rare prospect with both plus hit and power tools. The last D-backs player with that combination of plus hit and plus power is Ketel Marte, who hit .276 with 25 home runs in 2023. 

Jordan Lawlar (55)

Full Scouting Report

Lawlar's tough debut notwithstanding, the D-backs top prospect has a very bright future. As a shortstop with the potential to be above-average in all facets of the game, the D-backs see him as a building block alongside Corbin Carroll to carry this team throughout the rest of the decade. Despite early struggles in Double-A Amarillo, Lawlar hit .323/.411/.557 with 15 home runs and a 56/36 strikeout to walk ratio in his final 73 minor league games before a late season call-up to the major leagues. 

Tommy Troy (55)

Full Scouting Report

The D-backs were enamored with Troy's makeup and ability to handle and crush major league caliber velocity in college, making him their top selection of last year's draft. Troy got as far as High-A Hillsboro in his summer debut and could quickly fly up the system. While he only hit .247 in his first stint with Hillsboro with a 26% strikeout rate, he also showed a 12% walk rate. He showcased improvements every year of his college career, with everything coming together his junior year, suggesting the same could very well happen in a very important year for him.

Jansel Luis (55)

Full Scouting Report

It's tough to develop one swing, let alone two at the same time, but Luis has impressed at every stop so far. The switch-hitting middle infielder made it to Class A in his Age 18 season and held his own, ranking high on the top prospects entering the 2024 season. Between the DSL and Complex, Luis has posted a 39/21 strikeout to walk ratio in 301 plate appearances. While his strikeout rate jumped to 22.6% at Visalia, it's worth noting that he was an 18-year-old playing at that level. He's primed to take a big jump for the 2024 season.

Top 30 Diamondbacks Prospects Entering the 2024 Season