The Arizona Diamondbacks’ front office was anything but quiet on August 27, 2025, making a flurry of roster moves that signaled both a nod to the future and a response to the present. The day’s headline move saw the selection of right-handed pitcher Taylor Rashi’s contract from Triple-A Reno, a significant milestone for the 29-year-old reliever who, until now, had never stepped onto a big-league mound.
Rashi’s journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. Acquired from the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 2022 Rule 5 draft, he’s spent this season primarily in relief for the Reno Aces. Over 40 appearances, including two starts, Rashi has compiled a 3.48 ERA, racking up 72 strikeouts and 30 walks in 67.1 innings. His numbers suggest a pitcher who can miss bats, even if he occasionally battles command. With the Diamondbacks’ bullpen in flux, Rashi’s call-up could be the shot in the arm the team desperately needs as the season winds down.
To make room for Rashi, the D-backs optioned right-hander Juan Morillo, whose recent outing was a rough one. In Tuesday’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Morillo allowed a run on two walks and a hit without recording a single out. His season stats with Arizona—4.55 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and 20 walks over 31.2 innings—reflect a pitcher with electric stuff but inconsistent results. Morillo has also spent time in Reno, where he’s posted a 3.60 ERA in 15 appearances, showing flashes of potential but not quite enough to lock down a permanent spot in the majors.
The roster shuffle didn’t stop there. Infielder Tristin English, 28, was designated for assignment to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. English made his major league debut on July 9, 2025, against the San Diego Padres, notching an RBI in an 8-2 victory. However, in seven games with the Diamondbacks, he struggled mightily, slashing just .091/.130/.136 with eight strikeouts, two hits, and a walk. Selected in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Georgia Tech, English’s future now hangs in the balance as he awaits his next opportunity—whether with Arizona or elsewhere.
While the big-league club is making moves, the Diamondbacks’ farm system remains a hive of activity and promise. On Wednesday night, left-handed starter Mitch Bratt delivered his best performance since joining the organization. Bratt, acquired from the Texas Rangers in the Merrill Kelly trade, spun seven strong innings for the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles, yielding just one earned run and striking out eight. It was the deepest start of his season and only the third time in his professional career that he’s completed seven innings. Still just 22 years old, Bratt had posted a 3.18 ERA in 17 starts with the Rangers’ Double-A Frisco RoughRiders before coming over to Arizona. Since the trade, he’s pitched to a 3.38 ERA in four starts for Amarillo, striking out 29 batters while walking just three over 21.1 innings. His ability to generate swings and misses while pounding the strike zone has been a bright spot for the D-backs’ pitching pipeline.
“The Diamondbacks could certainly use a left-hander that can do that,” noted one observer, pointing to Bratt’s knack for limiting non-competitive pitches and keeping hitters off balance. With a high level of execution and poise beyond his years, Bratt has quickly become a prospect to watch, even if a big-league debut is still a ways off.
Elsewhere in the system, top prospect Jordan Lawlar doubled in a tough night for the Triple-A Reno Aces, who fell 17-1 to the Sacramento River Cats. Despite the lopsided score, Lawlar’s continued development remains a focal point for the organization. Meanwhile, right-handed sidearmer Ryan Thompson began a rehab assignment with Reno, tossing a scoreless inning on just 14 pitches and inducing a double play to erase a one-out single. That’s the kind of efficiency the D-backs hope to see from Thompson as he works his way back to the majors.
The Amarillo Sod Poodles, powered by Bratt’s stellar outing, cruised to an 11-2 victory. No. 3 prospect Ryan Waldschmidt continued his hot streak, belting a two-run homer, while infielder LuJames Groover chipped in with two hits. In High-A, the Hillsboro Hops were shut out 9-0 by the Vancouver Canadians, with right-hander Ashton Izzi—acquired from Seattle in the Josh Naylor trade—giving up five earned runs in three innings. Still, there were silver linings: Slade Caldwell and Druw Jones each collected a base hit, showing the depth of young talent in the organization.
Down in Low-A, the Visalia Rawhide picked up a 5-3 win over the San Jose Giants. First-round pick Kayson Cunningham went 2-for-5, raising his average to .304 in his first taste of professional baseball, while infielder JD Dix contributed a two-run double. The Diamondbacks’ farm system, often ranked among the league’s best, continues to churn out promising performances, keeping hope alive for the future even as the big-league club sorts through its present challenges.
Speaking of the future, the latest episode of the PHNX Sports podcast dove deep into the Diamondbacks’ outlook for 2026—and the questions facing the franchise. Chief among them: who will man first base going forward? The departure of Christian Walker has left a glaring hole, and speculation is swirling about whether Arizona will promote a prospect from within or pursue a reunion with franchise legend Paul Goldschmidt via free agency. The podcast also spotlighted the continued strong play of prospects like Ryan Waldschmidt and Daniel Eagen, as well as the development of Jordan Lawlar. With the newly released 2026 schedule on the table, fans are already looking ahead, wondering which young stars will break through and whether the D-backs will make a splash in the offseason.
The podcast didn’t shy away from broader topics, either, including a lively discussion about potential MLB expansion cities. While some suggestions were admittedly “for entirely selfish reasons,” the conversation underscored the excitement and speculation that always surrounds the national pastime’s growth.
For now, the Diamondbacks find themselves at a crossroads—balancing the immediate need for roster stability with the promise of a loaded farm system. The promotion of Taylor Rashi, the shuffling of Juan Morillo and Tristin English, and the standout performances from prospects like Mitch Bratt and Ryan Waldschmidt all point to an organization unafraid to make bold moves. With the 2026 season looming and plenty of questions still unanswered, fans can expect more twists and turns as Arizona charts its course for the future.
