Strong arms lead D-backs' Minor Leaguers

PHOENIX -- The D-backs farm system has come a long way over the past two years. From a system that had been drained of prospects via trades and promotions, the D-backs are stacked up and down with pitching and have some intriguing position players spread throughout.

With the Minor League season getting under way, fans can keep track of the D-backs' top prospects throughout the year on Prospect Watch. And get scores, stats, news, schedules, tickets and more for all of the D-backs' Minor League teams on the D-backs' affiliates page.

The 2012 season features the debut of last year's No. 7 overall pick, right-hander Archie Bradley, as well as the continued development of lefties Tyler Skaggs and Patrick Corbin and right-hander Trevor Bauer (No. 3 overall pick in 2011).

Bauer, Skaggs and Corbin each got an opportunity to show what they could do in Major League camp this spring and definitely came as advertised.

"They've been very impressive for sure," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "Obviously those are the guys we look at down the road. If everyone stays healthy they may come later, if something happens now they may be here sooner than we want them to be here.

On the position player front, outfielders A.J. Pollock and Adam Eaton showed during the spring that they are ready should the D-backs have a need. In fact, the pair have played so well over the past year that there has even been speculation that in the near future the team could make a move with one of its established outfielders to open up a spot for one or both of them.

Stacked squads
Double-A Mobile, which won the Southern League title last year, is loaded again with talent at the beginning of the year. Bauer, Skaggs, Corbin and Charles Brewer make up a formidable rotation. The bullpen is strong as well, with Evan Marshall, Kevin Munson, Matt Gorgen and Eury De La Rosa, among others. Position players such as Eaton, Davidson, David Nick and Marc Krauss should anchor the lineup.

Class A Advanced Visalia is stacked as well. Pitchers like David Holmberg, Andrew Chafin and Anthony Meo are certainly formidable. Highly-touted shortstop Chris Owings is someone the organization has high hopes for, and first baseman Yazy Arbelo impressed with 31 homers a year ago. Bobby Borchering, the team's first-round pick in 2009, is making the shift from third base after playing left field last year.

Debuts and Draftees
Bauer appeared in seven games after signing last year, but this is the first time he has had to pitch every fifth day for a full Minor League season, and it is worth watching whether he will need to tweak his intense throwing program.

Bradley, regarded as one of the most polished high school pitchers taken in last year's draft, threw in a couple of games toward the end of the 2011 season, but this is the organization's first extended look at him. Ditto for Chafin, who was selected 43rd overall last season, and Meo, who was taken in the second round.

Teams on TV
The Triple-A Reno Aces are among a growing number of teams whose games are available on MiLB.TV. The 2012 MiLB.TV package will include more than 2,500 Minor League games streamed live, as well as games archived for on-demand streaming soon after completion.

Pitchers like Barry Enright, Wade Miley, Zach Kroenke and Joe Martinez are part of the Reno rotation and could be called on if a spot start is needed at the big league level.

The aforementioned Pollock is expected to anchor the outfield, and third baseman Ryan Wheeler, who hit .294 last year for Mobile is someone to keep an eye on as well.