Before Cal Raleigh became the first catcher to ever win the HR Derby, old friend Joe Multiply found a new home north of the border. Also, plenty of draft content!
Diamondbacks News
Eugenio’s high intensity training regimen leads to 2nd All-Star nod by Steve Gilbert [Dbacks.com]
Suárez also received a similar message from shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, which in itself was stunning considering Perdomo had only a couple of big league seasons under his belt while Suárez was an accomplished veteran. That Perdomo spoke up meant a lot to Suárez.
“When I had that conversation with Torey, then I start putting more work in on my routine,” Suárez said. “Everything changed that quick. I was prepared for the game. I was ready right away. I didn’t have to wait two or three innings or two or three at-bats to get my body going. When I did that, everything changed quickly.”
D-backs 1st-rounder Kayson Cunningham dropped jaws by going deep off virtual Paul Skenes by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]
The D-backs practice with a Trajekt hitting machine, which mimics major league pitchers they are going to face. While warming up to hit on the field at Chase Field, Cunningham wanted to face a pro on the Trajekt.
When asked which major leaguer he would like to see, Cunningham went for the very top of the food chain…
Cunningham said he sat on a fastball against the virtual ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates and crushed a home run. He claims to have hit the ball with an exit velocity of 114 mph. Jaws were dropped in the room.
Diamondbacks Option Flamethrower to Triple-A by Alex D’Agostino [SI]
It’s possible this will signify a speedy return of right-hander Ryan Thompson, who went on the IL retroactive to July 5 with a scapular strain, however Thompson cannot be activated until July 20.
Arizona Diamondbacks stock up on pitchers on Day 2 of MLB draft by José M. Romero
Infielder Brady Counsell, son of former Diamondbacks star Craig Counsell, was Arizona’s 10th-round pick, the 303rd player chosen overall. The elder Counsell is the manager of the Chicago Cubs and won a World Series with the Diamondbacks as a player in 2001, while the younger Counsell played college baseball at Minnesota and Kansas, winning an NCAA Division I Gold Glove as a third baseman.
Around the League
Cal Raleigh wins 2025 Home Run Derby [ESPN]
Cal Raleigh is your 2025 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby champion!
The Seattle Mariners slugger not only takes home his first Derby tite in his first appearance after outlasting Tampa Bay Rays star Junior Caminero, but becomes the first catcher to ever win the Home Run Derby.
Oneil Cruz ties a (non-Coors) record with 513 foot blast! [MLB]
Blue Jays, Joe Mantiply Agree to Minor League Deal by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]
The Blue Jays have agreed to a minor league contract with left-handed reliever Joe Mantiply, per the transaction log at MiLB.com. Toronto also recently inked [former Diamondback] utilityman Buddy Kennedy to a minor league pact after he was released by the Phillies. He’s already made his debut with their Triple-A affiliate.
Minor League Notes from Steak85
Lilliputians 7, Pygmy Rattlers 1
DSL Arizona Black 9, DSL Cubs Blue 6
DSL Tigers 1 3, DSL Arizona Red 2
The Rattlers managed just two hits, both doubles, one by Kyle Sinzza and the other by Gian Zapata. Meanwhile, big righty Jaitoine Kelly faced the minimum through three innings, allowing one hit but seeing that runner erased on a double play. Three singles to lead off the fourth put the Islanders of Lilliput up 1-0, but Kelly collected a strikeout and stranded the bases loaded. Unfortunately, his fifth inning went triple, single, home run, single, single, single, walk, RBI groundout, and Kelly’s day was done. His two inherited runners also scored, so he was charged with all seven runs. Regardless of size, he was no Gulliver on the day. But Kelly probably should not be ascribed too much fault. It’s not that normal for 18 year olds to pitch into the fifth inning, and while Kelly has done so in the past, he’s not even been 18 for a month.
Erick De La Cruz doubled and homered for the Black squad. His OPS is 1.170. With the success that Kyle Sinzza has experienced since coming stateside, hopefully De La Cruz will make it over soon. Neither was a heralded prospect, and while nothing might come of it in the end, players like Sinzza (and Jaitoine Kelly as well, to an extent) dominating in the DSL and carrying that over into the ACL indicates that the level of play is not that different.
Naimer Rosario was the biggest star for the Red squad, throwing five innings of one run ball. Isael Torres allowed two runs in relief, and there wasn’t enough offense to overcome that. Angel Suarez scored both runs as he walked twice.
Question of the Day