MOBILE, AL – When the Arizona Diamondbacks used their first draft pick in 2013 on Marshall pitching ace Aaron Blair he was immediately labeled one of the organization’s top prospects. Now, in his second full year of professional baseball, the 23-year-old Las Vegas native is exceeding those expectations and we see the big leagues sooner rather than later.
Blair was named the Diamondback organization’s Pitcher of the Month in May, striking out 33 batters in four starts while issuing just six walks and touting a 0.89 ERA. In fact, his last three starts of the month were his most impressive outings so far this season. Blair did not give an earned run, allowing 12 hits and striking out 19 in that span.
“He’s on schedule,” said Mobile Bay Bears play-by-play announcer Justin Baker and a recent edition of The Stampede with Dave Wilson.
“I think Aaron is right on the cusp of being ready to play at Chase Field but I don’t see it coming until the September call up when they can expand rosters.”
The Diamondbacks named Blair the organization’s Pitcher of the Month for May as he went 3-1 with a 0.89 ERA with just six walks and 33 strikeouts. He’s not allowed an earned run in his last three outings and has struck out 19 during that span. He’s benefited from changing his approach on the mound; attacking the strike zone and not trying make the perfect pitch on every pitch.
Arizona’s Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa, whose career includes three World Series titles as a manager, is high on Blair and that could be a factor in Blair reaching the big leagues sooner rather that later.
Blair may also skip a stint in AAA Reno all together. The Pacific Coast League has earned a reputation as an outstanding hitters league, which can have adverse affects on developing pitchers who have been promoted from AA where they were mowing down the opposition.
“It has something to do with the altitude and the talent at the plate. The Diamondbacks will keep a lot of their pitchers in AA, from a confidence standpoint, and take them straight to the majors,” explained Baker.
Blair probably would not struggle at the AAA but it is likely Diamondback executives would not want to crush a very confident pitcher, who has the potential to be a No. 1 starter in the majors.
Blair is the first to admit that he has more work to do before achieving the childhood dream of playing Major League Baseball but don’t be surprised if he gets the call so many have fantasized about before the end of this season.