Brandon Pfaadt - Page 5 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Could get call Thursday Pfaadt could join the Diamondbacks' rotation Thursday versus the Rays, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Pfaadt has met up with the team in Arizona and is the likely replacement for Merrill Kelly, who landed on the injured list Tuesday due to a blood clot in his right calf. Pfaadt struggled in his first taste of major-league action back in May, but he's registered a promising 3.16 ERA and 28:5 K:BB in 25.2 innings (five starts) since returning to Triple-A Reno at the beginning of June. Displaying improved command on the farm, the 24-year-old top prospect would be worth another look in most fantasy formats should he get an extended opportunity in the bigs.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could help Arizona rotation Pfaadt is a potential option to help fix the back end of the Arizona's rotation, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Arizona manager Mike Hazen discussed potential options to help the rotation, which had a 6.18 ERA over 43 starts heading into Tuesday's loss to the Brewers. The GM noted external options are not likely at this time, which turned to focus of the conversation to Triple-A Reno, where Pfaadt has made four starts since a five-start introduction in MLB. "His velocity has been good, strike-throwing good, throwing to top of zone well," Hazen said. "He's done a good job. I think with the amount of strikes he throws, he's going to get clipped (for homers) in those environments and probably in the major leagues some." Pfaadt has a 3.86 ERA with 21 strikeouts, five walks and four home runs over his four starts (18.2 innings) at Reno. He allowed three solo homers in his most recent start.

JUNE 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will work on issues in minors The Diamondbacks will work with Pfaadt in the minors to correct the issues they spotted during the pitcher's five-start run in the majors, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic repor...

Impact Command was the number one issue that haunted Pfaadt in the majors. He didn't miss many bats, gave up too much loud contact and was 15th percentile in strikeout percentage. The club identified a mechanical issue: Pfaadt would transfer his weight too early, causing his arm slot to drop, which led to wavering command. Additionally, the right-hander had heavy usage of his fastball. "I don't know of anybody that lives at 65% fastball rate and is a starting pitcher and gets away with it for six or seven innings," manager Torey Lovullo said. The Diamondbacks viewed that fastball usage as a red flag, but he could get away with it in the minors. Not in the majors, however, where he lost command and patient hitters waited for fastballs over the middle of the plate. Pfaadt will need to correct the mechanical issue and introduce all his pitches.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to Triple-A Pfaadt was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Impact Pfaadt was one of the games' more hyped pitching prospects over the offseason, but things haven't gone to plan through his first five big-league starts, as his 8.37 ERA indicates. After posting a 31.2 percent strikeout rate in the upper minors over the last two seasons, his strikeout rate dipped to 16.8 percent upon promotion, and he also allowed eight homers in 23.2 innings. Zach Davies returns from an oblique injury to take Pfaadt's spot in the rotation, and the rookie may have to show some improvement in the minors across multiple starts before returning to consideration.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely headed to minors Pfaadt does not have a locker in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse, which likely means he's been optioned, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact It would seem several roster moves are imminent. Zach Davies (oblique) is set to return from the injured list and Drey Jameson is said to be with the team, presumably to provide bullpen depth after Pfaadt only went 3.2 innings in Friday's loss. The future is bright for Pfaadt, but he's struggled to keep in the yard in his first cup of coffee, resulting in an 8.37 ERA through five starts.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yields five runs in loss Pfaadt (0-2) allowed five runs on eight hits and struck out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Red Sox.

Impact There's only one silver lining here -- Pfaadt didn't walk a batter for the first time in five starts. The Red Sox got to him for three runs in the second inning, and Enrique Hernandez added a two-run home run in the fourth. Pfaadt has given up five or more runs in three of his outings, and this was his shortest start yet. The 24-year-old right-hander is now at an 8.37 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through 23.2 innings. Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic suggests this could put Pfaadt's spot in the rotation in jeopardy, and that makes sense with Zach Davies (oblique) nearing a return. If Pfaadt gets another start, it would likely come at home versus the Rockies next week.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Limits damage Saturday Pfaadt did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.

Impact Pfaadt made it through his fourth big league start relatively unscathed, with all three earned runs coming on one swing of the bat by Ke'Bryan Hayes, who drilled a bases-loaded triple in the third inning. After giving up 13 runs and six homers in his first two appearances (9.2 innings) Pfaadt has bounced back with four earned runs and one homer allowed over his last two starts (10.1 innings). After touting 218 strikeouts in 167 innings of minor league ball in 2022, fantasy managers who took a shot on the highly-ranked prospect have yet to reap any benefits considering Pfaadt's measly 14:8 K/BB and 7.56 ERA through 20 innings of big league work. Though it's unclear if Pfaadt will make another trip around the Arizona rotation, he remains no more than a dart-throw streaming option for those willing to take another chance on the rookie's strikeout upside and prospect pedigree.

MAY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in no-decision Pfaadt allowed one run on one hit and three walks over five frames in Sunday's win over the Giants. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Impact Pfaadt turned in the best start of his MLB career Sunday. The only hit he allowed, a solo shot by Michel Conforto, accounted for the Giants' lone run. Pfaadt coughed up 13 runs in his first two career starts before Sunday's strong performance. His ERA still sits at an unsightly 8.59 with an 11:6 K:BB. Pfaadt's next start is projected to be in Pittsburgh.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not much better in second start Pfaadt (0-1) took the loss Tuesday versus the Marlins, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings.

Impact Pfaadt had trouble with Jorge Soler, who accounted for two home runs and five RBI against the Arizona rookie. That's after Pfaadt gave up four homers in his debut versus the Rangers last Wednesday. The top prospect came to the majors with plenty of hype, but a 12.10 ERA through 9.2 innings suggests he may not quite be ready for the show yet. Manager Torey Lovullo said after Tuesday's game that Pfaadt will get another turn in the rotation, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. That outing is likely to come over the weekend at home versus the Giants, but it's safe to say Pfaadt could have a short leash if he doesn't get his homer problem under control.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets another turn through rotation Pfaadt is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Marlins at Chase Field.

Impact Even though Pfaadt was tagged for seven earned runs on nine hits -- including four home runs -- in his MLB debut last Wednesday at Texas, the Diamondbacks will give one of their top pitching prospects at least one more chance to prove he's worthy of a longer stay in the big-league rotation. Assuming Pfaadt can escape Tuesday's outing with a more credible line than he submitted in his debut, he'll likely receive his second start of the week this upcoming Sunday against the Giants, also at Chase Field. Pfaadt led all minor leaguers with 218 strikeouts in 2022 and never posted a walk rate above 6.5 percent across any of his stops as a professional, so if he can do a better job of limiting damage on flyballs in his future starts, the right-hander's fantasy upside could be immense.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Surrenders four homers in debut Pfaadt took a no-decision in his major-league debut against the Rangers on Wednesday, allowing seven runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and a walk across 4.2 innings.

Impact The 24-year-old was called up from Triple-A Reno and rocked in his first taste of the big leagues as Texas launched four home runs, including two from Josh Jung. Pfaadt totaled 218 strikeouts across 167 innings between the Double-A and Triple-A levels last year and has major strikeout potential, but he generated just seven swinging strikes versus the Rangers. Assuming he stick sin the rotation, the right-hander tentatively lines up for a matchup with Miami early next week.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Call-up confirmed The Diamondbacks announced that Pfaadt's contract has been selected from Triple-A Reno ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.

Impact The 24-year-old right-hander will be making his much-anticipated big-league debut in Texas, stepping into a back-end rotation spot for Arizona after the team recently released Madison Bumgarner and optioned Drey Jameson to Triple-A. Pfaadt attracted attention in the minors through his gaudy strikeout rates, as he punched out 218 batters in 167 innings between Reno and Double-A Amarillo in 2022 and has struck out 30 in 25.1 innings thus far in 2023. The strikeout potential Pfaadt brings to the table makes him an intriguing speculative pickup in nearly any league where he might be available on the waiver wire.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

To make MLB debut Wednesday Pfaadt will indeed be called up to make his major-league debut Wednesday against the Rangers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact The writing was on the wall when the Diamondbacks listed Wednesday's starter as "TBA" and now comes confirmation that Pfaadt will fill that spot. One of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, the 24-year-old right-hander has registered a 3.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB through 25.1 innings (five starts) this season with Triple-A Reno. He tallied 218 strikeouts in 167 innings last year between Double-A and Triple-A. That swing-and-miss upside makes Pfaadt a must-add in all standard fantasy formats.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could make MLB debut Wednesday Pfaadt could start Wednesday's game against the Rangers, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.

Impact Nothing has been officially announced, but it seems like things are trending in that direction. Arizona has an open spot in the rotation and Pfaadt has checked all the boxes for his Triple-A development. He would be making the start on a couple extra days of rest. Pfaadt, who logged 167 innings in the minors last season, has a career 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 87 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could move up Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the team has no plans to use a four-man rotation, meaning Pfaadt could be called up to take Drey Jameson's spot in the rotation, Theo Mackie of t...

Impact The Diamondbacks demoted Jameson to Triple-A Reno on Monday and, with three days off the next two weeks, could work a four-man rotation for a stretch. However, Lovullo is not inclined to go that way. Pfaadt started last Thursday for Reno. His turn comes up again Wednesday, although a day off Monday sets him up to start Tuesday on normal rest. That would put him on schedule to be available Saturday, the next time Jameson's turn in the rotation is due.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shines in start Pfaadt allowed three hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Impact Pfaadt turned in his most dominant performance of the season during a week the organization's parent club underwent a shakeup in the rotation. The Diamondbacks designated Madison Bumgarner for assignment; however, the club opted for Tommy Henry as an initial replacement for a start this coming Monday. After a rocky first start, Pfaadt has settled in over the subsequent three outings, posting a 1.62 ERA and 18:4 K:BB ratio over 16.2 innings.

APRIL 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pitching at Triple-A on Thursday Pfaadt is scheduled to start Thursday for Triple-A Reno, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

Impact It's notable that Pfaadt is basically on the same pitching schedule as Madison Bumgarner, who was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Thursday morning. Pfaadt could eventually slide into Arizona's starting rotation as a direct replacement for MadBum, though Tommy Henry will reportedly get the first such turn. Pfaadt, 24, has posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 395:64 K:BB in 312 career minor-league innings and entered the 2023 campaign as a consensus top-100 prospect. He's tallied 17 strikeouts through 13.1 frames this year with Reno.

APRIL 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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