Diamondbacks Roll the Dice with Rookie Talent
The Arizona Diamondbacks are making waves in their bullpen with a notable roster shake-up. The team has called up rookie Philip Abner while optioning Kyle Backhus to Triple-A Reno, signaling a shift in strategy as they seek to bolster their pitching staff.
Philip Abner’s Impressive Rise
Philip Abner, a 23-year-old left-handed pitcher, is stepping into the spotlight after a standout season. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 MLB Draft from the University of Florida, Abner has showcased his talents across three levels this season. His performance includes 58.2 innings pitched, where he has posted a commendable 3.07 ERA alongside an impressive 3.17 FIP and 3.27 xFIP.
During his time with the Reno Aces, Abner displayed dominance on the mound, throwing 8.1 scoreless innings, which featured 11 strikeouts against just two hits and three walks. His four-seam fastball, averaging 90.7 MPH, has registered a striking 36% whiff rate, indicating his ability to miss bats despite the moderate velocity. In addition to his fastball, he possesses an 80 MPH slider, further diversifying his pitch repertoire.
Kyle Backhus Faces Setback
In contrast, Kyle Backhus, a sidewinding left-hander, has seen his fortunes take a turn. Initially, Backhus enjoyed a promising start to his major league career, allowing just one run in his first nine appearances and earning four holds. However, as he was given more high-leverage opportunities, his performance became inconsistent. Over his last 24 outings, he allowed 12 runs, recorded three saves, and racked up six holds, but also experienced two blown saves.
With a 4.62 ERA and a 4.25 FIP over 25.1 innings, Backhus managed to limit inherited runners effectively, allowing only four of 19 to score, a significantly better rate than the league average. However, his struggles against right-handed batters have been a concern. Righties are hitting .365 with a staggering .988 OPS against him, while he has found success with left-handers, who are batting just .139.
Backhus primarily relies on a sinker and a sweeper, but has attempted to incorporate his changeup more consistently to counter left-handed hitters. Unfortunately, this adjustment hasn’t yielded the desired results, as evidenced by the fact that he has only two strikeouts using the pitch and batters are hitting .333 against it.
Looking Ahead
The decision to option Backhus means he will not be eligible to return before the end of the regular season, barring any injuries. Backhus, who started his professional journey as an undrafted free agent, has a compelling story of determination and resilience. As the Diamondbacks look to the future, they are betting on Abner’s potential to make an immediate impact in their bullpen, hoping his youth and talent can energize a pitching staff in need of fresh arms.
