👋 GOOD MORNING — Happy Tuesday! I hope your week is off to a good start.

Not sure if you caught the home run derby yesterday, but I maintain it was a crying shame Eugenio Suárez was not included, especially after the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. belted a paltry three home runs during his time at the plate. Too late to do anything about it now, but I’m still bitter!

Finally, I’ve got to give a huge thank you to Leah Merrall, who will be filling in for me the rest of this week, as well as early next week. I’ll be enjoying some much-needed family time, but I’ll be back and ready to roll soon!

On to the show!

— Patrick Brown, PHNX Sports Daily Editor

Join Us All Week For Rank Week!

D-backs Draft Results: The Newest Crop of Prospects Are In

Kayson Cunningham is drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 18th pick during the first round of the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

That’s a wrap on the MLB Draft.

Yep. All 20 rounds.

The Diamondbacks made 20 total selections — including one compensatory pick, which came after Christian Walker turned down Arizona’s qualifying offer last season to sign with the Houston Astros.

The MLB Draft is always a crapshoot given the high number of players who are selected, and their various statuses as amateur players. Prime example: The Detroit Tigers drafted Patrick Mahomes (yes, that Patrick Mahomes) out of high school as a pitcher in 2014 — needless to say he opted to pursue football at Texas Tech, and the rest is history.

So take absolutely everything below with a grain of salt, but hey, let’s have a little fun!

Breaking Down the Diamondbacks’ Picks

Arizona drafted 14 pitchers and six position players over the last two days, but it’s also important to note prospects often switch positions before settling in to their professional career.

That said, we’ve got to start somewhere! So here are a few different buckets, and prospects to keep an eye on, assuming they make the leap to the pro ranks.

Top Prospect

Infielder Kayson Cunningham, who is listed as a shortstop / second baseman out of Lady Bird High School (Texas). The 19-year-old committed to the Texas Longhorns, and would not be eligible to be drafted again until 2027 if he elects to pursue a collegiate career. Cunningham was named the USA Baseball Player of the Year in 2024, and he was also the Gatorade State Player of the Year in Texas this past season.

Biggest Steal

Outfielder Jacob Parker, who was listed as the 109th prospect by MLB Pipeline, slipped all the way down to the 19th round, where the Diamondbacks selected the Mississippi State commit 573rd overall. His brother was drafted by the Blue Jays in Sunday’s first round, so the sport runs in their blood, but the biggest question here is whether or not Parker will kick off his professional career.

It was initially thought Parker could go as early as the second round, so to see him fall so severely was surprising, to say the least. Whether or not he’s leaning toward playing NCAA ball, it was a low-risk, high-reward selection from the D-backs brass.

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Picks From MLB Pipeline’s Top 250 Prospects (Other than Cunningham and Parker)

RHP Patrick Forbes (Louisville), who was ranked 31st by MLB Pipeline. The 21-year-old was Kentucky’s top prospect in 2022, but was not drafted because of his desire to play NCAA ball. His arsenal includes a high-90s fastball, mid-80s slider, and a changeup and cutter that peak in the upper-80s.
RHP Dean Livingston (Hebron Christian Academy, Georgia), who was ranked 95th by MLB Pipeline. The 18-year-old has been billed as the best pitcher in Georgia’s prep class, and scouting reports show he can already touch 96 on his four-seamer. He still needs to grow into his frame a bit at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, but the Georgia Bulldogs commit has a very high ceiling.
RHP Brian Curley (Georgia), who was ranked 102nd by MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old righty is projected to be a reliever at the Big League level, and can tough 100 on his fastball while fielding an impressive array of pitches, including a curveball, slider and cutter.
RHP Ethin Bingaman (Corona HS, California), was another steal in the 20th round, 603rd overall, but it’s awfully hard to pass up a prospect from the famed Corona High School, which produced three draft picks this year. A high school! Bingaman primarily features two pitches in his arsenal, a four-seam fastball and a curveball.
RHP Sawyer Hawks, Vanderbilt, who was ranked 225th by MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old has battled injuries, but when healthy boasts an impressive four-pitch arsenal, highlighted by a mid-70s curveball that compliments a fastball which tops out at 96 miles per hour.
LHP Joe Ariola, Wake Forest, who was ranked 241st by MLB Pipeline. The 21-year-old is loaded with talent, but struggled with his control last season. Development will be key with him.

Picks With Local Ties

RHP Jack Martinez, Arizona State, selected in the eighth round (243rd overall).
RHP Raul Garayzar, Arizona, selected in the 18th round (543rd overall).

Most Famous Pick

Infielder Brady Counsell, Kansas, selected in the 10th round (303rd overall). Brady is the son of former Diamondback (2000-2003, 2005-2006) and current Cubs manager Craig Counsell.

Most Obscure Pick

Infielder Wallace Clark, Duke, selected in the ninth round, 273rd overall. It’s a great pick, don’t get me wrong, I just thought it was interesting that of all 20 players the D-backs selected, he’s the only player from the United Kingdom who was selected in the entire draft! Cheers to you, Wallace!

Another Draft: When it was all said and done, the Sun Devils had nine players drafted: Brandon Compton (Miami), Ben Jacobs (Detroit), Lucas Kelly (Seattle), Isaiah Jackson (Los Angeles Angels), Jack Martinez (Arizona), Kyle Walker (Houston), Kien Vu (Cincinnati), Will Koger (San Diego) and Matt King (Pittsburgh). Congrats to all!

Twice as Nice: Not to be outdone, the Wildcats also saw nine of their players taken in the draft: Brendan Summerhill (Tampa Bay), Aaron Walton (Cleveland), Mason White (Boston), Adonys Guzman (Pittsburgh), Julian Tonghini (Washington), Hunter Alberini (Kansas City), Casey Hintz (Seattle), Raul Garayzar (Arizona) and Michael Hilker (Minnesota). Congrats to all!

Alyssa to the Rescue: The Mercury won a thrilling game over Golden State last night, as Alyssa Thomas hit the winning free throw with one second left to escape with a 78-77 win. It was a gutty win for a team still missing stars Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper, and they may have to do it again on Wednesday against the 19-4 Lynx (10 am, Arizona’s Family Sports).

Summer League Takeaways: Make sure to check out Espo’s latest episode of Southwest Bias, which highlights the chemistry and character that he saw from the team during his time in Vegas at Summer League. Check it out!