D-backs Targeting June Return for Pitching Prospect Dylan Ray

The Diamondbacks pitching prospect experienced forearm tightness in Spring Training and is targeting a June return with Double-A Amarillo.

May 24, 2022; Hoover, AL, USA; Alabama pitcher Dylan Ray (38) pitches the ninth inning as Alabama faced Georgia in game one of the SEC Tournament at Hoover Met. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News Ncaa Baseball Sec Baseball Tournament Alabama Crimson Tide At Georgia Bulldogs / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

Diamondbacks pitching prospect Dylan Ray was placed on the minor league 60-day injured list by the Amarillo Sod Poodles on March 22nd. According to D-backs farm director Shaun Larkin, Ray experienced tightness in his right forearm during Spring Training and they caught it in time before it could get worse. He's now rehabbing at the complex at Salt River Fields and is targeting a return to the Amarillo rotation in June.

Ray, 22, is coming off a strong first year in the D-backs system. In 25 starts in 2023, he pitched to a 4.37 ERA with 138 strikeouts and 40 walks in 113 1/3 innings between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo. Entering the 2024 season, Ray ranks as the D-backs No. 9 prospect with a solid four-pitch mix and ideal starter traits. It starts with a heavy 4-seam fastball in the mid-90s with a curveball, slider, and changeup. He projects as a future middle of the rotation arm.

Arizona drafted Ray in the 4th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. He previously needed Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2020, his freshman season at Alabama, negatively impacting his draft stock after struggling in his sophomore season. However the results were looking better at the Cape Cod League, prompting the D-backs to select him on the second day of the draft and signing him for the full $108K slot value for the 122nd pick.

Once healthy, he'll return to Amarillo, arguably the toughest pitching environment in the minor leagues. He made three starts there to close out his 2023 season, allowing 14 runs on 17 hits, eight walks, and 15 strikeouts in 14 innings. It's more than likely he'll spend the majority of the season there. A strong season could earn an invite to big league Spring Training next February.