Diamondbacks Select LuJames Groover

The Diamondbacks announced that they have selected the contract of infielder LuJames Groover. Fellow infielder José Fernández has been optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding active roster move. Right-hander Taylor Rashi has been designated for assignment to open a 40-man spot.

Groover, now 24, was a second-round pick in the 2023 draft. As a hitter, Groover is known for his quality plate discipline, though there are questions about how much impact he can make when he does connect.

In 2024, he missed time due to a broken wrist and only got into 61 games. Last year, he stayed healthy enough to play 123 Double-A contests. He stepped to the plate 547 times. He walked at a 11.5% pace and only struck out 14.4% of the time, both strong figures, but he hit only 12 home runs. On the whole, his .309/.399/.434 line led to a 120 wRC+, but got some help from a .347 batting average on balls in play.

He has been in Triple-A this year, with some similarities in the output. His 14.5% walk rate and 16.8% strikeout rate are good but he has just three home runs in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. His .322/.421/.452 line leads to a 116 wRC+ but has gotten a lot of help from a .381 BABIP.

Defensively, Groover has primarily been a corner infielder, with some very limited second base experience. Baseball America currently lists him as the #5 prospect in Arizona’s system. FanGraphs put him at #9 in the offseason.

Arizona has Nolan Arenado at the hot corner, so Groover will perhaps be used more in the first base/designated hitter mix. Pavin Smith just came off the injured list and should be getting regular playing time, though he is a left-handed hitter with notable platoon splits. Groover is a righty and could cover Smith, though perhaps the Snakes would also be comfortable with him facing righties.

While Smith was out, the Snakes used a combination of Fernández and Ildemaro Vargas to cover first, with Adrian Del Castillo getting a lot of DH time. Del Castillo is hitting just .192/.252/.325 on the year. Vargas started his season with an amazing 24-game hit streak, which was actually a 27-game streak dating back to last season, but he has hit .186/.218/.237 since then. Fernández also hit .342/.359/.500 through 78 plate appearances to start the year but just .180/.232/.225 in 99 plate appearances since.

More to come.