The Diamondbacks selected Pfaadt's contract from Triple-A Reno ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old right-hander will be making his much-anticipated big-league debut in Texas, stepping into a back-end rotation spot for Arizona after the team recently released Madison Bumgarner and optioned Drey Jameson to Triple-A. Pfaadt attracted attention in the minors through his gaudy strikeout rates, as he punched out 218 batters in 167 innings between Reno and Double-A Amarillo in 2022 and has struck out 30 in 25.1 innings thus far in 2023. The strikeout potential Pfaadt brings to the table makes him an intriguing speculative pickup in nearly any league where he might be available on the waiver wire.

Pfaadt will indeed be called up to make his major-league debut Wednesday against the Rangers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The writing was on the wall when the Diamondbacks listed Wednesday's starter as "TBA" and now comes confirmation that Pfaadt will fill that spot. One of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, the 24-year-old right-hander has registered a 3.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB through 25.1 innings (five starts) this season with Triple-A Reno. He tallied 218 strikeouts in 167 innings last year between Double-A and Triple-A. That swing-and-miss upside makes Pfaadt a must-add in all standard fantasy formats.

Pfaadt could be promoted from Triple-A Reno to start Wednesday against the Rangers at Globe Life Field, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nothing has been officially announced by Arizona, but the fact the Diamondbacks aren't yet listing a confirmed starter for Wednesday points to Pfaadt likely getting the call to the big leagues. Pfaadt has thus far checked all the boxes for his Triple-A development, and he would be available to make the start Wednesday on six days' rest. Pfaadt, who logged 167 innings in the minors last season, has a career 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 87 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Monday he has no plans to use a four-man rotation, meaning Pfaadt could be called up to take the demoted Drey Jameson's spot in the rotation, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports. "We have not made any decisions, but I don't think a four-man rotation right now is anything we're interested in," the manager said.

EDGE Analysis

The Diamondbacks demoted Jameson to Triple-A Reno on Monday, and with three days off over the next two weeks, the team could get by with a four-man rotation for a stretch. However, Lovullo doesn't seem inclined to go that way. Pfaadt, who started last Thursday for Reno, is scheduled to pitch for the affiliate again Wednesday. Unless that plan changes, any promotion for Pfaadt likely wouldn't come until next week.

Pfaadt allowed three hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Pfaadt turned in his most dominant performance of the season during a week the organization's parent club underwent a shakeup in the rotation. The Diamondbacks designated Madison Bumgarner for assignment; however, the club opted for Tommy Henry as an initial replacement for a start this coming Monday. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said logistics were the main reason for that decision, meaning Henry's schedule created the least impact to the current rotation pattern, per Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic. Hazen considered bringing Pfaadt up to start Friday, but the GM acknowledged the cascading effect it would have on the rotation's existing members. Hazen added that he feels Pfaadt is ready to pitch in the majors. The performance of the organization's top pitching prospect appears to back up the GM's claims. After a rocky first start this season, Pfaadt has settled in over three subsequent outings, posting a 1.62 ERA and 18:4 K:BB ratio over 16.2 innings.

Pfaadt is scheduled to start Thursday for Triple-A Reno, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's notable that Pfaadt is basically on the same pitching schedule as Madison Bumgarner, who was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Pfaadt could eventually slide into Arizona's starting rotation as a direct replacement for Bumgarner, though Tommy Henry will reportedly get the first chance to fill the opening. Pfaadt, 24, has posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 395:64 K:BB in 312 career minor-league innings and entered the 2023 campaign as a consensus top-100 prospect. He's tallied 17 strikeouts through 13.1 frames this season with Reno.

Pfaadt allowed two runs on six hits and a hit batsman while striking out five over five innings, claiming his first win of the season for Triple-A Reno.

EDGE Analysis

Pfaadt, by coincidence or not, pitched on the same day that Madison Bumgarner had another disappointing start for the Diamondbacks and hinted at an injury following the game, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. Bumgarner talked about dealing with "stuff" and a "lot going on," which set off speculation about a trip to the injured list, or Arizona pulling the plug on him as a starter. If either of those scenarios play out, Pfaadt looks like the obvious fill-in, given he's on the same five-day schedule as Bumgarner.

Pfaadt allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings for Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Pfaadt, who gave up his fifth home run in two starts, was much better his second time out. The outing also came on the same day that Arizona starter Zach Davies was removed with an oblique injury, which does not appear to be a minor one, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Pfaadt being on the same schedule as Davies puts him into consideration as a replacement. The Diamondbacks could also turn to Drey Jameson, a starter working out of the Arizona bullpen. Aside from Davies' situation, the Diamondbacks may require another starter given the performance of Madison Bumgarner over his first two outings (eight runs, nine hits, 10 walks, 8.2 innings). There could potentially be rotation spots for both Pfaadt and Jameson.

Pfaadt allowed five runs on six hits while striking out seven over 3.2 innings in Sunday's start for Triple-A Reno.

EDGE Analysis

Pfaadt was hit hard in his season debut for the Aces, giving up four home runs before departing. In other ways, it was a typical Pfaadt outing in that he didn't walk a batter and got seven of 11 outs via the strikeout. The right-hander was in the mix for the final rotation spot in training camp and could see his way up to MLB at some point in 2023.

Pfaadt was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Pfaadt was always a longshot to make Arizona's Opening Day rotation, but he made a strong push in camp with a 3.75 ERA and 15:4 K:BB across 12 innings during spring training. The 24-year-old should begin the season with Triple-A Reno, where he posted a 2.63 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 74:14 K:BB in 10 starts last year. He's a likely bet to make his big-league debut at some point in 2023.