The D-backs know the talent that rests in the right arm of Brandon Pfaadt. That didn't stop the him from giving the club a not-so-gentle reminder anyway.
MLB's No. 53 overall prospect turned in his best performance of the young season, striking out eight over seven scoreless frames to help lead Triple-A Reno past host Salt Lake, 3-1, on Thursday night at Smith's Ballpark.
It was the third consecutive strong outing for Pfaadt, who began 2023 by surrendering five runs, including four homers, in just 3 2/3 innings against Las Vegas on April 3.
The timing couldn't have been better for the 24-year-old, who has a very good chance of seeing action in the Majors in 2023. Arizona made the decision to DFA veteran hurler Madison Bumgarner, potentially opening up a spot in the big league rotation as soon as Monday.
However, the decision was made to keep Pfaadt on schedule and in Reno, instead going with Tommy Henry, who has nine Major League starts under his belt.
"Brandon is starting today in Reno," Arizona GM Mike Hazen told reporters Thursday. "And if we had pushed Brandon into the rotation somewhere, it wasn't going to be today. ... And if we had slotted him somewhere into the future, we’re going on nine or 10 days' rest. I don't think that's necessarily the best idea for a debut."
Nevertheless, Pfaadt's time is rapidly approaching.
The Louisville native tied a season-high with eight K's and 15 swings-and-misses during his 84-pitch effort. Pfaadt allowed three hits and a walk, working his way out of a first-inning jam unscathed after surrendering a leadoff triple. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound hurler retired 10 of 11 to close out his start.
"I mean, he absolutely shoved," Reno pitching coach Jeff Bajenaru said after the game. "That was the first time I got to see him absolutely mow through some hitters, and it was fun to watch."
Pfaadt's first scoreless start since last Aug. 20 -- also against Salt Lake -- lowered his ERA to 3.54 and his WHIP to 1.03 to go along with a 25-to-8 K/BB ratio. Since struggling in his season debut, the 2020 fifth-round Draft pick has surrendered three runs and struck out 18 over 16 2/3 innings spanning three starts.
It's that type of consistency, coupled with the ability to dominate a performance such as he did on Thursday, that has the D-backs' keeping close tabs on their top-rated hurler.
"Brandon is going to pitch up here and he's going to be a very good player for us," Hazen said. "And it's going to come."
Michael Avallone is a writer for MLB.com and MiLB.com. Follow him @MavalloneMiLB.
