2026 Dbacks Prospects All Stars Include Starting Battery and Infield Corners

Overview

With the conclusion of the Major and Minor League Baseball regular season, it’s an ideal time to review the standout individual performances at each position within the Diamondbacks’ minor league system. To keep things manageable, today’s focus will be on the starting pitchers and corner infield positions, as covering everything at once would be overwhelming.

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Before diving in, a big congratulations to the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles for capturing the Texas League Championship. Winning a title greatly benefits the growth of younger players, especially those who may not have had their best individual seasons. Notably, about half of the players featured in the upcoming pieces are from this championship-winning squad.

Starting Pitcher

David Hagaman clearly stands out as the top starting pitcher in the Diamondbacks’ farm system for 2026 and is the frontrunner for the Dbacks Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. His numbers largely speak for themselves given the context behind his performance.

Acquired in last summer’s trade involving Merrill Kelly, Hagaman began the season with High-A Hillsboro in the pitcher-friendly Northwestern League. Over 15 starts, he logged 71⅓ innings with a 3.03 ERA, 4.10 FIP, and 4.15 xFIP. When adjusted for league difficulty, those stats translate into an impressive 61 ERA- and an 84 FIP-. Moreover, his strikeout rate was notable, with 10.85 K/9 innings and a 28% strikeout percentage. Yet, it was his strong showing after promotion to Double-A Amarillo, playing in the hitter-friendly Texas League, that truly cemented his status as the organization’s top pitcher.

In seven starts for Amarillo, Hagaman pitched 35⅓ innings, boasting a 2.55 ERA, 3.22 FIP, and 3.79 xFIP. His strikeout percentage climbed to 32.4%, with 11.72 K/9, while his walk rate dropped from 10.7% to 8.5%. These performances equated to an excellent 43 ERA- and 75 FIP- in the Texas circuit. However, he did experience control issues during the postseason, particularly in the division series. It will be interesting to watch whether he returns to Double-A next year, advances to Triple-A Reno, or possibly even breaks into the majors with a strong spring training. For those intrigued by scouting details, my earlier article on Dbacks pitching prospects offers a deeper look at Hagaman.

Catcher

Gabriel Moreno’s achievement of winning the National League batting title highlights the exceptional depth the Diamondbacks currently have at the catcher position. This depth and the strong performances across the board justify the creation of this multi-part series.

The Diamondbacks bolstered their catching ranks by selecting college catcher Ryder Helfrick in the first round. Helfrick had a solid debut at Low A in the California League, posting a .245/.327/.521 slash with a 104 wRC+ over 24 games—though the limited sample size prevents him from being an outright All-Star choice.

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Another notable prospect, Jhosep Villarroel, put up eye-catching numbers during his 47 games in the Dominican Summer League, hitting .303/.500/.485 with a .493 wOBA and 148 OPS+. However, as a 17-year-old playing in a lower level, his stats must be viewed cautiously, placing him more in the honorable mention category. Villarroel is expected to debut stateside next year, likely with the ACL Dbacks or Visalia Rawhide, offering a better gauge of his potential.

Alberto Barriga, who excelled in the Northwestern League, struggled after moving up to the hitter-friendly Texas League, hitting just .237/.301/.362/.302 wOBA with a 55 wRC+ in 57 games. He’s another developmental project who could benefit greatly from his role in Amarillo’s championship push, and his unique skill set makes him one to watch next season.

Ivan Luciano made a strong case with consistent above-average performance in 2026. Spending most of his time with Visalia, he hit .264/.375/.441 with a .372 wOBA and 109 wRC+, then sustained and improved those numbers in 12 games at Hillsboro. Overall, his combined line—.266/.376/.444 with a .374 wOBA and 111 wRC+—reflects a solid bat behind the plate. Yet, teammate Carlos Virahonda arguably had a more impressive year.

Virahonda began with 48 games in Visalia, batting .273/.359/.508 with a .383 wOBA and 115 wRC+. After promotion to High-A Hillsboro, in a tougher pitching environment, he maintained excellent production, hitting .272/.393/.468 with a .391 wOBA and 127 wRC+ in 50 games. He finished the season with four games back at Double-A Amarillo, going 4-for-15 with some extra-base hits and enduring three hit-by-pitches, culminating in a .267/.389/.600 line with a 134 wRC+. Across 108 games in three levels, Virahonda compiled a .272/.377/.493 slash with 18 homers, a .388 wOBA, and a 122 wRC+, topping off his year with a key postseason offensive role.

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For a more detailed analysis of the catchers, feel free to check out my earlier article from this season.

Third Base

Danny Serretti, who sees time at both second and third base, earns the All-Star nod at third due to slightly more innings there and the lack of standout competition at the position. If you want to learn more about his background, I previously wrote a profile on him before this season.

Serretti split 2026 between Amarillo and Reno, playing an important role in Amarillo’s championship run. In Amarillo over 74 games, he posted an impressive .272/.418/.510 line with a .413 wOBA and 124 wRC+. In Reno, across 35 games, he hit .316/.421/.513 with a .419 wOBA, .357 xWOBA, and 129 wRC+. Though his walk rate dipped slightly, his strikeout rate remained steady between the two levels. Overall, his season totals included a strong .287/.419/.511 slash line, 19 homers, 11 stolen bases, a .415 wOBA, and 126 wRC+ across 109 games.

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His closest competitor was LuJames Groover, who performed well in Reno but struggled at the major league level this year.

First Base

At first base, there is a clear standout without question.

Manuel Pena had a breakout 2026 season, smashing 26 homers in just 61 games with Amarillo while batting .311/.354/.673 in the first half, highlighted by a stellar .428 wOBA and 134 wRC+. Though his numbers tapered after promotion to Reno, he finished the year hitting .305/.345/.555 with 31 home runs over 112 games. The only other first basemen with similarly strong numbers were Pavin Smith and Tyler Locklear, neither of whom are as compelling for Dbacks fans.

That wraps up this update! In the next installment, I’ll cover middle infielders and outfielders.