The Ups and Downs of Arizona’s Arms

Pitching was on the agenda for Arizona when the organization began picking players during the 2007 amateur draft. As a result, the club used four of its first six picks to take pitchers, including three college arms and one prep hurler.

Indiana high schooler Jarrod Parker went ninth overall to the Diamondbacks and then three college arms were taken: Wes Roemer of Cal State Fullerton (1st round supplemental, 50th overall), Barry Enright of Pepperdine (second round, 73rd overall), and Sean Morgan of Tulane (fourth round, 133rd overall).

Parker, 19, did not make his pro debut until 2008 and was immediately assigned to a full-season club despite his inexperience. So far this season in the Midwest League, the right-hander is holding his own with a 2.45 ERA in 36.2 innings. He has allowed 34 hits, walked nine and struck out 30.

Roemer, 21, started 2008 in High-A ball but has struggled. He has a 5.09 ERA in 46 innings. Roemer has allowed 59 hits, 14 walks and seven homers. On the positive side, he has struck out 43 batters and is inducing two groundballs for every flyball.

Enright, 22, is also in High-A ball and struggling. He has a 7.02 ERA in 42.1 innings. Enright has allowed 67 hits, five homers and 12 walks. He has struck out 38 batters. The right-hander has had three particularly bad starts where he has allowed 18 earned runs in 11 innings.

Morgan, who comes from the same college as Arizona starter Micah Owings, has yet to make an appearance in 2008 because of injury. He struggled in his 2007 debut in the Northwest League and posted a 5.46 ERA in 28 innings.

Many believe college pitchers are safer picks (and will advance through the minors quicker) than prep hurlers, but Arizona’s 2007 draft appears to be an exception to the rule.