#40--Jay Garthwaite
| Name |
Jay
Garthwaite
|
| Position |
Outfield |
| Age |
24 |
| Bats |
Right |
| Throws |
Right |
| ’04 Club |
Hi-A Lancaster JetHawks (California League)/ Double-A El
Paso Diablos (Texas League) |
After a monster first season in the organization Garthwaite took a half step
backwards in Double-A. Might have been rushed a little, after being moved
back to Lancaster put together decent numbers and according to coaches ironed
out a couple kinks in his swing that hurt him El Paso. Still looked a
little uncomfortable at the plate with the adjustments, but the positive results
of the second half should help.
#39--Enmanuel Duran
| Name |
Enmanuel
Duran |
| Position |
Pitcher |
| Age |
20 |
| Bats |
Right |
| Throws |
Right |
| '04 Club |
Rookie Level Missoula Osprey (Pioneer League) |
Twenty year olds in Rookie Ball don't usually make Top 50 lists, but when the
radar gun needs all three digits to measure your fastball exceptions get
made. Duran was signed as an undrafted free agent in June of 2003.
He pitched in the Diamondbacks Summer League and impressed, he got to Missoula
and impressed more.
FutureBacks.com's David Merchant was impressed by the youngster, "He'll
need to work on the slider, just to change things up a bit, but that fastball is
amazing. It's almost like a splitter, but splitters aren't usually
effective when they're thrown 96-97. He won't really be tested until he
gets to Double-A, but a heavy fastball like that is going to be effective at any
level if he throws it for strikes."
#38--Brian Barden
| Name |
Brian
Barden |
| Position |
Third Base |
| Age |
23 |
| Bats |
Right |
| Throws |
Right |
| ’04 Club |
Double-A El Paso Diablos (Texas League)/ Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders (Pacific Coast
League)
|
Very good fielder, but without the power of a proto-typical 3rd
baseman. Compares to Bill Mueller, without the switch hitting capability,
but only if he can make more contact at the plate. Doesn't hit for enough
power to justify the 7:1 strikeout ratio, if he can make more contact might end
up getting the call at second or as a utility player.
#37--Jesus Cota
| Name |
Jesus
Cota
|
| Position |
Outfielder/1st Base |
| Age |
23 |
| Bats |
Left |
| Throws |
Right |
| ’04 Club |
Double-A El
Paso Diablos (Texas League) |
Considered a can't miss prospect when he was taken in the first round (14th
overall) by the Diamondbacks in 2000 coming out of Pima (AZ) Community
College. He's had a hip flexor problem that has bothered him for at least
two full seasons, possibly more, and needs to get healthy to regain the power
stroke that had the Diamondbacks so high on him when he was drafted.
"He's got this amazing power hitters swing," FutureBacks.com's
David Merchant says, "but he isn't driving the ball."
Cota had 16 homers in 75 games his first year [at Rookie League Missoula]
where he played only 75 games, and then 16 again the next year in a full year at
Lancaster, but that's when he got hurt and the power just hasn't been there
since. This upcoming year will be a make or break season for Cota, if he's
healthy the Diamondbacks will give him an opportunity as soon as possible, if
not, he may flame out.
#36--Steve Garrabrants
| Name |
Steve
Garrabrants |
| Position |
Second Base |
| Age |
23 |
| Bats |
Right |
| Throws |
Right |
| '04 Clubs |
Hi-A Lancaster JetHawks (California League), Double-A El
Paso Diablos (Texas League), Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders (Pacific Coast
League) |
Garrabrants is maybe the very definition of that old cliché, 'A Coach's
Player.' He hustles on every play, makes smart decisions, and is always in
the game mentally. Coming out of ASU as the D'Backs ninth round pick in
2003 he's moved up very quickly, showcasing fundamentals honed at one of the top
college baseball programs in the country.
"He does all those little things," Garrabrants coach at Yakima in
2003 said, "moving runners along, making contact, bunting, breaking up the
double play as well as he turns the double play. He's just a baseball
player, and I mean that as a compliment."