Top pitching prospect Trevor Bauer to make debut for D-Backs on Thursday

Bauer will reach the majors only 12 months after being drafted. (Rob Tringali/Getty Images) Arizona Diamondbacks righthander Trevor Bauer, the third overall

Bauer will reach the majors only 12 months after being drafted. (Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks righthander Trevor Bauer, the third overall pick in the 2011 draft, will make his major league debut on Thursday when he starts against the Atlanta Braves, manager Kirk Gibson confirmed on Tuesday.

"He's excited, we're excited to have him, let's be honest," Gibson said. "It's a great challenge for Trevor, and he's up to it."

In 16 starts this season between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno, Bauer has a 2.23 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 93 innings. Bauer will be the first member of the class of 2011 to play in the big leagues. Baseball America rated him the ninth-best prospect in the game entering the 2012 season.

SI.com's Albert Chen wrote this piece in May about the atypical between-start routines of Bauer and Orioles prospect Dylan Bundy.

will be activated and start in Wednesday's game

left Tuesday's game in the second inning with tightness in his forearm

forearm tightness is often code for an elbow injury