Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Adjustments needed before call-up
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks want Waldschmidt to show improvement against breaking pitches at Triple-A Reno before calling him back up to the majors, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Waldschmidt enjoyed some initial success upon being promoted to the big leagues May 8, but pitchers adjusted to him over the last few weeks, and his strikeouts piled up. The outfielder posted 56.2 percent whiff rate against breaking balls and a 32.8 percent overall strikeout rate in 33 games for Arizona before he was optioned to Reno on Monday. Specifically, Diamondbacks hitting coach Joe Mather noted that Waldschmidt struggled with the higher spin rates of MLB pitches, and the organization wants to ensure that the 23-year-old is better prepared to handle breaking pitches before he gets his next appointment to the big leagues. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo added that he wants Waldschmidt to improve at controlling counts and not swing at "pitcher's pitches" as he makes his return to Reno.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Appears headed back to Triple-A
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The Diamondbacks are expected to option Waldschmidt to Triple-A Reno prior to Monday's game against the Angels, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
With Jordan Lawlar recently coming back from the 60-day IL and Lourdes Gurriel (hamstring) on track to return from the 10-day IL this week, Waldschmidt looks like he'll be caught up in a numbers game in the Arizona outfield. Regarded as one of the top prospects in Arizona's system, Waldschmidt submitted an .881 OPS in his first 16 games in the majors following his May 8 promotion, but he's slashed just .180/.231/.262 with a 4.6 percent walk rate and 36.9 percent strikeout rate in his 17 games since. The impending assignment to Reno should enable Waldschmidt to get a mental reset, and if he's able to resume raking in the Pacific Coast League, he may not have to wait long before earning another call-up.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Sitting amid cold spell
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Waldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.
The Diamondbacks will keep Waldschmidt on the bench for the second time in four games, as the rookie has hit a bit of a rough patch. Waldschmidt has struck out at least once in each of his last 10 games and is slashing .211/.250/.316 with no home runs or stolen bases and just one run and one RBI over that stretch.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Not in Monday's lineup
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Waldschmidt is not in the Diamondbacks' starting lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Waldschmidt will get a breather after going 2-for-11 with one walk and five strikeouts across his three outings over the weekend against the Mariners. The Diamondbacks will start Tommy Troy, Jorge Barrosa and Corbin Carroll in the outfield from left to right for Monday's series opener.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Tallies first triple in blowout win
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Waldschmidt went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's win over Colorado.
Waldschmidt got in on the offensive onslaught, sending a rocket past center fielder Jake McCarthy for an RBI triple, the first three-bagger of the rookie's big-league career. While Waldschmidt is still searching for his first homer, the top prospect has been fantastic since being promoted May 8. Across 57 plate appearances, the 23-year-old is slashing .353/.411/.471 with four doubles, seven RBI, nine runs and five stolen bases.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Productive performance in big win
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Waldschmidt went 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI, two runs scored, two steals and a walk in Monday's win over the Giants.
Waldschmidt turned in the best offensive performance of his young career, tallying a pair of doubles as part of his first three-hit effort in the majors. The 23-year-old also turned it loose on the basepaths, recording the first multi-steal game of his career. The early returns through 10 contests have been promising, as Waldschmidt is slashing .313/.371/.438 with four doubles, six RBI, three runs and three stolen bases.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Key contributions to win
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Waldschmidt started in left field and went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Mets.
Waldschmidt drove in Arizona's first three runs with a two-run double the second inning and a run-scoring single in the sixth. He made a second consecutive start, filling in for a resting Lourdes Gurriel, after the rookie defended center field Saturday. With Alek Thomas having been designated for assignment, center field will likely belong to Waldschmidt at least until Jordan Lawlar (wrist) returns and possibly beyond.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Will wait to make first start
Rotowire
Waldschmidt is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.
Though Arizona officially called up the 23-year-old earlier Friday after he posted a .877 OPS with three home runs and six steals in 34 games at Triple-A Reno, he'll be spared from a tough matchup with Mets righty Nolan McLean. With Arizona designating Alek Thomas for assignment, the expectation is that Waldschmidt will eventually settle in as the team's new primary center fielder, but Jorge Barrosa will occupy the position for the series opener.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Called up for major-league debut
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks selected Waldschmidt's contract from Triple-A Reno on Friday.
Waldschmidt had been slumping a bit lately at Reno, but he's had a strong season there overall, slashing .289/.400/.477 with three home runs, six stolen bases and a 19:38 BB:K over 34 contests. The 23-year-old has seen most of his playing time in center field this season, and he's slated to take over that position with the Diamondbacks after Alek Thomas was designated for assignment.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Bound for Double-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks are expected to promote Waldschmidt from High-A Hillsboro to Double-A Amarillo this week, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.
The No. 31 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Waldschmidt didn't play after Aug. 25 last season due to a hamstring injury, but he's staged a healthy return to action to begin 2025 while making the jump from Single-A Visalia to Hillsboro. The 22-year-old outfielder will now be on the move to the Texas League after raking over his 68 games at High-A, slashing .268/.415/.447 with a 17.8 percent walk rate, nine home runs and 10 steals in 301 plate appearances.
