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D-backs calling up Varsho for MLB debut

No. 75 overall prospect ready to show off bat, wheels for Arizona
Daulton Varsho is a career .301 hitter over three seasons in the Minor Leagues. (Matt York/AP)
By Sam Dykstra @SamDykstraMiLB
July 30, 2020

Daulton Varsho, welcome to The Show. The D-backs called up MLB.com's No. 75 overall prospect to the Major League active roster Thursday afternoon. Kevin Cron was optioned to the alternate training site roster to make room for Varsho on the 30-man. Arizona began a four-game series with the Dodgers at

Daulton Varsho, welcome to The Show.

The D-backs called up MLB.com's No. 75 overall prospect to the Major League active roster Thursday afternoon. Kevin Cron was optioned to the alternate training site roster to make room for Varsho on the 30-man.

Arizona began a four-game series with the Dodgers at Chase Field. The 24-year-old pinch-hit for Tim Locastro with two outs in the ninth inning, drawing a walk and advancing to second base on defense indifference in the club's 6-3 loss to Los Angeles.

Varsho is one of the game's more unusual Top-100 prospects. He was an impressive left-handed hitter in 2019, batting .301/.378/.520 over 108 games at Double-A Jackson, where he spent the entire season. His .520 slugging percentage and .899 OPS led all Southern League qualifiers, and he also chipped in 18 homers and 21 stolen bases. Varsho was the only Minor League catcher with at least a 15-15 season in 2019, and his 21 thefts were second-most for the position.

The 2017 68th overall pick out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has become the third-ranked prospect in an improving Arizona system with a solid set of all-around skills. His hit tool has the potential to be above-average, and his 55-grade speed is impressive for a primary catcher. At 5-foot-10, he has solid power for his size. Though his arm is graded below-average, Varsho has made the most of his athleticism to keep opposing runners in check in the Minors.

That athleticism could improve Varsho's chances of impacting the Major League team in Phoenix, since the club already has Carson Kelly and Stephen Vogt behind the plate. Varsho played four games in center field last season with Jackson, and the experiment continued during Spring Training and into Summer Camp workouts this year. With his speed, he could find himself getting playing time at other positions as Arizona tries to find a way to get his bat and wheels into the lineup.

Varsho's father, Gary, now a Pittsburgh scout, played eight seasons in the Majors with the Cubs, Pirates, Reds and Phillies.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB.

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