Diamondbacks Minor League Report 4/20/2023

The Diamondbacks minor league affiliates combined for a 3-0 record. Inclement weather forced Hillsboro's game at Eugene to be postponed, with the makeup game scheduled for a seven-inning doubleheader Saturday.

Triple-A: Reno Aces 3, Salt Lake Bees 1; 8-9

Brandon Pfaadt was the star in this game, pitching seven scoreless innings on three hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts. His slider was especially effective in this game, with 15 of the 25 sliders he threw going for a called strike or whiff and getting 10 whiffs out of 13 swings. He's been off to a slow start while trying to find that pitch this year, so this start is a step in the right direction with the D-backs' last rotation spot in flux.

New season high in punchouts for reigning Minors strikeout champ Brandon Pfaadt 💪
7 IP
3 H
0 R
1 BB
8 K

The third-ranked @Dbacks prospect notched 15 swings-and-misses for the @Aces: pic.twitter.com/NrSF4WmOiM
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 21, 2023

Emmanuel Rivera was the offensive star in this game, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. He's been quietly putting up solid numbers in Reno, hitting .339/.379/.593 with five doubles, two triples, and two home runs on the season. He's put himself at the top of the list for a potential injury replacement at either corner infield spot.

Double-A: Amarillo Sod Poodles 3, NW Arkansas Travelers 2 (F/10); 7-5

Luke Albright struggled to throw strikes, allowing four hits and walked five in two innings before being pulled after back-to-back stressful innings. He was able to limit the damage to one run, which allowed Amarillo to pull the comeback and win in extra innings.

Jordan Lawlar went hitless for only the second time this season in his first 11 games, but did earn a pair of walks. In both games he failed to get a hit, the D-backs No. 3 prospect has drawn at least one walk, so he's reached base in all 11 games so far this season.

The game ended on a bizarre play in which Ryan Bliss, normally a surehanded defender at second base, kicked a ball that deflected right to A.J. Vukovich at third base. Vukovich alertly threw to home plate to catch an aggressive baserunner trying to score from second on the play. Take a look down below, with the Caray twins on the call:

AND THAT'S HOW WE EARN OUR FIRST EXTRA-INNING WIN OF THE YEAR! 😅 pic.twitter.com/OIrn4UvbPA
— Amarillo Sod Poodles (@sodpoodles) April 21, 2023

Low-A Visalia Rawhide 8, Stockton Ports 2; 6-6

No Druw Jones in this game, as the D-backs No. 4 prospect got the day off. In his place Alvin Guzman belted out a three-run home run in the ninth inning that pushed the game out of reach.

Shortstop Manuel Peña went 1-for-5 in the game. The D-backs No. 19 prospect has gotten off to a slow start with the Rawhide, hitting .171/.244/.244 with 12 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances.