D-Backs call up top prospect
The Diamondbacks are promoting top prospect Daulton Varsho, bringing up a versatile and potentially impactful offensive player at a time when their offense is off to a sluggish start.
It is unclear if and where the club will be able to find everyday at-bats for Varsho, but given his ability to catch and play all three outfield positions, as well as the presence of the designated hitter, manager Torey Lovullo will have a variety of avenues from which to choose.
Lovullo was asked specifically about the timing of the move ahead of Thursday night's home opener against the Dodgers. He gave sort of an unusual answer.
“Well, I mean, it’s no mystery that offensively things have not been clicking,” he said of a team that entered Thursday hitting .202 and with 17 runs in six games. “And we just thought maybe it would give us a little bit of extra coverage or a bat off the bench to add “a little punch.”
Typically, when teams make moves to address issues, the new player fills a prominent role. It could be that the Diamondbacks are hoping that ends up being the case with Varsho, that he hits the way he has throughout his minor league career and forces his way into the lineup on a regular basis.
Varsho owns a career .301/.372/.507 line in parts of three minor league seasons. He is also an above-average runner and is regarded as a good base runner. He was one of the club’s better hitters at camp earlier this month.
First baseman Jake Lamb (1 for 13) is off to a slow start and would figure to be the most susceptible to losing at-bats in the wake of the promotion. Lamb has struck out in eight of his 15 plate appearances. Varsho could steal at-bats from Lamb via the designated hitter.
Catcher Carson Kelly (1 for 12) also has not produced right away, but he is coming off a strong season and likely would get a much longer leash.
Lovullo mentioned being able to use Varsho to pinch-hit or pinch-run in addition to his various defensive homes.
“They just said be ready,” Varsho said. “Be ready to catch people. Be ready to play outfield. Just be yourself, go be you and things will fall into place.”
He said getting the call-up was a “dream come true.”
Triple-A Reno manager Chris Cron called a meeting on Sunday for all the players at Salt River Fields. Varsho was expecting the topic to be about health protocols or mask wearing. Instead, he was told he was getting the call.
“I didn’t see it coming,” Varsho said.