Nate Savino Out for Season with Shoulder Surgery
Nate Savino, Yu-Min Lin, and Ivan Melendez were not listed on any of the Opening Day rosters for the Diamondbacks minor league affiliates. Sam Dykstra of MLB.com gives us an update for all three players.
The big news is left-hander Nate Savino, the organization's No. 23 prospect, will miss the entire season with shoulder surgery. He was drafted by Arizona in the third round of last year's draft out of the University of Virginia. Formerly a potential first round prospect out of high school due to mid 90s velocity, his stock fell as he was unable to sustain it in college. As a lefty that flashed mid-90s velocity with a solid breaking ball and changeup, he could end up either in the bullpen or as a bottom of the rotation starter.
Ivan Melendez, the D-backs No. 10 prospect, will have the start of his season delayed with a sore hand. He's expected to join an affiliate soon, most likely High-A Hillsboro as an advanced college bat. After an impressive college season with the University of Texas in which he set the NCAA record for home runs with 32 and winning the Golden Spikes Award, he was drafted by Arizona in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Melendez hit .208/.358/.351 in his first 29 pro games.
Lin burst onto the scene last year with 56.1 impressive innings between the complex and Low-A Visalia. He'll start the season in Extended Spring Training to stretch out before heading out to an affiliate. The 5'11" left-hander struck out 91 batters vs. 22 walks, thanks to a low-90s fastball and an impressive set of secondary pitches. He ranks 11th on the Top 30 list.
