Derek Diamond pitched a scoreless inning in the Arizona Fall League on Saturday.
The Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect came on to pitch in the fifth inning, throwing a perfect inning with two strikeouts. Diamond struck out his first batter swinging, got the second batter on a ground out, and rung up the third batter looking.
Diamond was drafted by the Pirates in the sixth round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Mississippi. The 23-year-old had a 4.80 ERA in 95.2 innings in High-A Greensboro this year, with an 83:19 K/BB. His fastball sits low-90s, and he has a slider that can generate swing and miss at an above-average rate.
Across four appearances in the AFL, including one start, Diamond has a 3.68 ERA, with 10 strikeouts and one walk. His plus control is carrying over to the showcase and hitter-friendly league, while he avoids getting hit around, with over a strikeout per inning. This is the first time in pro ball that Diamond has recorded over a strikeout per inning, with a career 7.6 K/9. His stuff could be playing up in shorter outings.
Diamond should pitch in the Altoona rotation in 2025. His best path to the Majors projects as a reliever, due to a lack of dominant stuff in the rotation. That makes his AFL results in relief appearances an encouraging sign.
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
SCOTTSDALE lost 5-2
- RHP Derek Diamond: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
- C Geovanny Planchart: 0-for-2, BB
- 3B Kervin Pichardo: 0-for-3
Geovanny Planchart spent most of the 2024 season in Greensboro, where he was one of the catchers for Diamond. He caught the single inning from his Pirates teammate as part of his work behind the plate on Saturday. Planchart went 0-for-2 with a walk. He has a 1.135 OPS in 23 plate appearances.
Kervin Pichardo went 0-for-3. He has a .911 OPS in 31 plate appearances.
SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE
- AFL: Scottsdale is off until Monday.
