NASHVILLE – The Diamondbacks added an intriguing power arm in the Rule 5 draft Thursday morning, selecting Class A right-hander Starlin Peralta from the Chicago Cubs organization.
Peralta, 22, has a fastball that has been clocked in the upper-90 mph range, D-backs director of player development Mike Bell said. Peralta was 5-8 with a 3.44 ERA in Peoria of the Midwest League, and the D-backs got a good look at him through their Midwest League affiliate in South Bend.
“He has a big arm. We got a lot of good grades on him,” Bell said. "You look at his numbers -- they don’t jump out at you right away at low A, but he’s a guy with a lot of potential, a lot of upside. Bring him to camp and see what he looks like."
Peralta, a native of the Dominican Republic drafted at age 17, was a starter in his five years with the Cubs, although if he makes the D-backs, he would add to the bullpen depth. If Peralta does not make the major league roster this spring, the D-backs must offer him back to the Cubs for $25,000, half the claiming price.
Peralta had 86 strikeouts and allowed 80 hits in 99 1/3 innings at Peoria in what was the most successful of his minor league seasons. He walked 42.
“The raw tools are there. We’ll get him some innings and see what he looks like,” Bell said.
The D-backs lost outfielder Ender Inciarte to Philadelphia in Thursday's draft. Enciarte is a leadoff-type center fielder who could come back if the Phillies are unable to keep him.
NOTES: The D-backs signed two free agents -- third baseman/outfielder Mark Teahen and right-hander Garrett Mock -- to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.
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