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The Arizona Diamondbacks have decided that 2016 is going to be their year. They went out and made some big moves happen, such as signing Zack Greinke, trading for Shelby Miller, and acquiring Jean Segura. With pieces like AJ Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt already firmly entrenched in the lineup and a rotation that does not appear to have a clear discernable weak spot, the Diamondbacks could potentially compete for the NL West Division title and possibly the NL Pennant in 2016.
They will need to hope that their moves really pay off because their farm system does not bode well for a promising future. After dealing names like Dansby Swanson and Aaron Blair, the Diamondbacks do not possess a lot of Minor League depth which does not bode well for building a dynasty that could last for years. There are a few names on this list worth owning in dynasty leagues, but there are no real big impact players.
And if you like this, be sure to also check out our 2016 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. Our rankings assistant tool combines all our staff's ranks in one place. You can easily filter and export all sorts of rankings and tiers - mixed leagues, points leagues, AL/NL only, top prospects, dynasty ranks, keeper values, and more
Arizona Diamondbacks Top 10 Dynasty Prospects
These are the top ten prospects for the Arizona Diamondbacks in terms of fantasy production in the next few seasons.
1. Braden Shipley (SP, AA)
Stats: 156.2 IP, 3.50 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 6.78 K/9, 3.22 BB/9, 0.40 HR/9
ETA: 2017
Braden Shipley does not have the highest upside of any pitcher on this list, but he looks like the safest bet to produce in the majors. Shipley has a mid-90s fastball with excellent life and an excellent power curveball and changeup to help him get batters out. His command is well above average which gives him a relatively high floor. Shipley will never be an ace, but with his low risk/medium reward profile, he is well worth owning in all dynasty leagues.
2. Brandon Drury (2B/3B, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 276 PA, .331/.384/.458, 2 HR, 0 SB, 7.6% BB rate, 12.7% K rate
ETA: 2016
Though he does not yet have a guaranteed role with the team, Brandon Drury should be expected to see a lot of starting time this season with the Diamondbacks. Drury is a pure hitter with a quick swing and solid discipline that should allow him to hit .275+ every season. He has also flashed enough pop to suggest that he could hit 10-15 home runs per season (his presence of power helps make up for his absence of speed). The big plus with Drury is his positional versatility which could see him play at both second base or third base. Drury will likely begin the year either on the Arizona bench or in the minors with a chance to start in the majors should Chris Owings or Jake Lamb struggle to hit. Drury should be owned in all dynasty leagues.
3. Archie Bradley (SP, MLB)
Stats: 35.2 IP, 5.80 ERA, 4.96 FIP, 5.80 K/9, 5.55 BB/9, 0.76 HR/9
ETA: 2016
Archie Bradley struggled in the majors before being struck by a line drive in the head which forced him to miss most of the season. Bradley demonstrated when at the big league level that he still needed some time to improve on his command which will likely cause him to begin 2016 in Triple-A. If Bradley can improve his control, however, he has the highest upside of any pitcher on this list. He has about as complete of a repertoire as any pitcher in the minors with a mid-90s fastball, a wipeout power curveball, and an average changeup and slider. At his best, Bradley could be a future ace; at his worst, he would be a bullpen arm. Expect him to fall somewhere in the middle and serve as a middle of the rotation arm for the Dbacks in the future. With his upside, Bradley is certainly worth stashing in dynasty leauges.
4. Socrates Brito (OF, MLB)
Stats: (from AA) 522 PA, .300/.339/.451, 9 HR, 20 SB, 5.6% BB rate, 16.1% K rate
ETA: 2016
By far the hitter with the most upside in the Diamondbacks’ system, Socrates Brito has a chance to be a future 20/20 player in the majors. Brito last season made it to the majors and did not disappoint as he slashed .303/.324/.455 with a stolen base (granted in a small sample size of 34 plate appearances). The biggest questions surrounding Brito have always been about his plate discipline, but he has shown consistent improvement over the past few season as he has lowered his strikeout rate from 23.9% in 2012 to 16.1% in 2015. Brito has a chance to be a real fantasy contributor for teams wily enough to own him in dynasty leagues. With his potential, he is absolutely with owning in dynasty leagues.
5. Peter O’Brien (C/OF, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 534 PA, .284/.332/.551, 26 HR, 1 SB, 5.8% BB rate, 23.2% K rate
ETA: 2016
If Peter O’Brien can return to catching, he could have immense fantasy value and be a major fantasy sleeper. O’Brien has as much power as any prospect not named Joey Gallo in the minors and could easily hit 30-35 home runs per season. Right now the biggest thing holding O’Brien back from being a Major League regular is his lack of plate discipline. He is a below-average defender in the outfield and behind the dish, but his bat will be what gets him to the majors. His power and potential to produce as a catcher make him worth owning in dynasty leagues.
6. Alex Young (SP, A-)
Stats: 6.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 2.44 FIP, 7.50 K/9, 1.50 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
ETA: 2018
Alex Young has a chance of staying as a starter, though there is a chance that a move to the bullpen will be required. His fastball is slightly above-average, but he possesses an elite left-handed slider and average changeup. His command is advanced for his age which helps assure people that he can remain as a starter. Though there is a bit of upside with owning Young, there is not enough to warrant owning him in anything other than very deep dynasty leagues.
7. Wei-Chieh Huang (SP, A)
Stats: 76.2 IP, 2.00 ERA, 2.53 FIP, 7.98 K/9, 1.88 BB/9, 0.12 HR/9
ETA: 2018
Though he put together a strong campaign in 2015, Wei-Chieh Huang has a below average repertoire of pitches as his breaking ball needs a lot of work and his fastball sits in the upper-80s and low-90s. If Huang can develop a breaking pitch, he could be a middle of the rotation guy, but for now he should be ignored in dynasty leagues.
8. Yoan Lopez (SP, AA)
Stats: 48.0 IP, 4.69 ERA, 4.55 FIP, 6.00 K/9, 4.50 BB/9, 0.75 HR/9
ETA: 2017
Yoan Lopez possesses a solid repertoire of pitches, but most believe that it will not be enough to keep him from eventually reaching the bullpen. Expect Lopez to head to the bullpen when he makes it to the majors and have little to no dynasty league value.
9. Tyler Wagner (SP, MLB)
Stats: (from AA) 152.1 IP, 2.25 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 7.09 K/9, 2.66 BB/9, 0.41 HR/9
ETA: 2016
Though he is ready for the majors, Tyler Wagner does not possess a lot of value for dynasty owners. He has a ceiling of a backend of the rotation guy with a slightly below average repertoire and average command. He can be ignored for dynasty purposes.
10. Domingo Leyba (2B/SS, A+)
Stats: 562 PA, .237/.277/.309
ETA: 2018
Domingo Leyba is a defensive middle infield utility player with no power, speed, or any real offensive potential. He can be ignored in all dynasty leagues.
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