PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks called up right-handed pitching prospect Christian Montes De Oca from Triple-A Reno on Friday ahead of their three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
The D-backs additionally placed left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list (left shoulder inflammation), optioned left-handed reliever Joe Mantiply and recalled right-handed reliever Scott McGough.
Montes De Oca — also known as “El Oso,” which means “The Bear” in Spanish — is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound reliever who has started the season very well in Triple-A.
The 25-year-old has thrown 19 innings with a 2.37 ERA, 17 strikeouts and four walks. He’s allowed one earned run in his last 10 outings.
Montes De Oca delivers a fastball in the upper 90s mph, working off a slider in the mid-to-upper 80s mph.
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“He is a power armed right-handed reliever who throw strikes,” farm director Chris Slivka told Arizona Sports. “Four-seam, sinker, changeup slider. He’s always challenged hitters. He’s really worked on his execution and command and has really taken steps forward this year.”
Montes De Oca has something of an underdog story. He signed later than most prospects out of the Dominican Republic, agreeing to join Arizona’s organization at 22 years old.
He’s climbed the ranks since, reaching Triple-A last season and throwing 56.2 innings at the level with a 5.24 ERA.
“He’s really matured as a pitcher with his preparation,” Slivka said. “Obviously the stuff has developed, as well. He added a sinker during the Fall League. His slider shape has improved this season, added in a little bit more depth. He’s come a long way in the last two years.”
This season, he has improved his strikeout rate from his 2024 Triple-A state by five points from 18.3% to 23.3%, while his walks have decreased from 8.2% to 5.5%. He has also consistently given the Aces multiple innings of work, at least 1.2 frames in each of his last four appearances.
"Don't chop at it. It's not a sword." – ̶G̶u̶s̶ ̶M̶a̶t̶t̶h̶e̶w̶s̶ – Christian Montes De Oca pic.twitter.com/OhRew5RDcl
— Amarillo Sod Poodles (@sodpoodles) April 28, 2023
He is set to become the third member of the Diamondbacks to make their MLB debuts this year after utility man Tim Tawa and reliever Juan Morillo.
The right-hander additionally threw nine shutout innings in the Dominican Winter League for Gigantes del Cibao this past offseason.
“A kid that’s come up through our academy, has obviously just continued to persevere and grow and learn year by year,” manager Torey Lovullo said. ”It’s just a little deeper meaning for somebody that’s climbed through the ranks and come from where he came from in our program down in the Dominican.”
Who could be next after Christian Montes de Oca?
The Aces have a group of younger relievers pitching well this season.
Right-hander Kyle Amendt, 25, recently won the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Month award for April. The 25-year-old sports a 2.00 ERA in 18 innings with Reno, striking out 24 batters.
Amendt was a 2023 ninth-round pick out of Dallas Baptist.
“ He didn’t give up a run in his first month in the (Pacific Coast League), which was extremely difficult to do,” Slivka said. “You’ve seen his velocity tick up this year. He’s not throwing mid-upper 90s, but his fastball plays above the velocity. He creates a really interesting angle from the high overhead slot. His breaking ball command is improved as well.”
Kyle Backhus is a 27-year-old left-hander with a side-arm slot who has been effective. He has thrown to a 2.70 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 16.2 frames with Reno.
Why didn’t Drey Jameson get the call?
With the D-backs turning to Montes De Oca and McGough to fill out their bullpen, a question that came to mind was what about Drey Jameson?
Jameson — who returned after missing last year due to Tommy John surgery — started in Triple-A and came up for just over a week before getting optioned again last month.
He gave up one run in three innings but also walked three batters and gave up four hits.
“ I think a lot of it has to do with the execution of his pitches,” Slivka said. “His stuff is electric, as we all know. We need him to continue to fine tune his execution and precision within the strike zone and make sure that he’s developing in that way.”
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