Gino Groover is a star prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks and can be watched right now in the Arizona Fall League for the Salt River Rafters as he strives to make it to the Majors as soon as possible. He has climbed the prospect rankings thanks to his impressive play this year.

Wednesday night at Salt River Fields, Groover started at third base and went 1-4 with an RBI. On Thursday he went 2-5 with an RBI and a run.

Groover has had a great season so far, including a solid Arizona Fall League despite lacking power thus far as he has yet to hit for an extra base hit. But he still hits the ball hard, as evidenced by a 106.6 MPH line drive single to left field to score a run Wednesday night.

When asked about how the Fall League is going, Groover said: “It’s good, it’s a great experience. There’s a lot of good competition here… Come here, you get big league treatment, that’s obviously the main goal at the end of the day, I think everyone here wants to join the league at some point. So it’s good to have a little taste here, just enjoy it. experience, I am grateful for this opportunity.

Groover had a breakout minor league season in 2024 after breaking his wrist to start the season. He started in High-A Hillsboro Hops and slashed .272/.360/.457/.817 in an environment in which it is difficult for hitters to excel. He had seven doubles, seven home runs and 25 RBIs.

However, in his last 23 games there, he had a .289 average and a .941 OPS with five doubles, six home runs, 20 RBIs, 10 walks and only 10 strikeouts.

The penchant for walking walks and limiting strikeouts was a common theme for Groover in 2024. In High-A, his walk rate was 11.4% while he struck out just 13 .7% of the time. In Double-A, those numbers were slightly worse.

He walked 9.1% of the time and struck out 16.4% of the time, but those are both quality numbers, especially the strikeout rate. In the Northwest High-A League, the average strikeout rate was 24.2% while the walk rate was 9.9%.

In the Texas League of Double-A, the walk rate was 10% and the strikeout rate was 23.7%. Groover struck out at an exceptionally below average rate, a good sign for his future potential.

Groover explained how he makes as much contact, knocks down pitches and strikes out less than many other players.

“I think everyone here is very good at what they do. They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. I think you don’t get to this point without having a little bit of. .. be naturally gifted But Refine it also, knowing what your strength is… All players have their own strength, whether they are in position or as a pitcher We go there and you refine your strength and you. improve your weaknesses where no one notices them.

Groover dissected what his main goal is every time he’s at the plate, regardless of the outcome: to hit the ball as hard as possible, because he believes that will give him the best chance of getting the result he wants. wish.

“At the end of the day, the only thing I can control is just hitting the baseball hard. That’s the goal. Whether it’s a ground ball or a double in the gap or a single. I mean , at the end of Every day, if you hit hard in baseball, you are more likely to succeed. And ultimately, in a chess match, you want to give yourself the best chance of success.

He joined the Amarillo Sod Poodles on September 1 and played there the final two weeks of the season. All he did was impress and hit well.

In 13 games, he hit .340 with an OPS of 1.000, including a .600 strikeout rate. He had eight runs, 17 hits, four doubles, three home runs, six RBIs, five walks and just nine strikeouts.

Groover shared how much it meant to reach Double-A in his first professional season, as it was a goal of his despite the lack of time.

“You start the season with goals and stuff like that. Obviously, after being injured in my first professional season, I might not have a lot of games under my belt, like other people. That’s it. was a great experience, I loved it.

Obviously, (getting to AA) was one of my goals this year… missing a lot of time, it was good to continue to fulfill that requirement,… And they trusted me enough to send me up there. I’m happy I was able to play for them.”

When asked what his goal is for next year, he has his eyes set on a big, life-changing goal.

“I think my main goal, obviously, I’m a big dreamer. I would love to get to the big leagues next year. Obviously, a full season under my belt. Go ahead, ball, do what I can, you know, be the player that I know I am and the team knows I am, and go ahead and make a statement for myself.

In the Arizona Fall League, he is hitting .314 with a .699 OPS as he has yet to get an extra base hit, but he has 11 hits and seven runs in nine games and is hitting the ball hard. He had four RBIs, three walks, eight strikeouts and continued to see the ball well at the plate.

Groover plays three different positions in the Fall League, just like in the regular season. He plays third, second and first base, with the majority of his work being done at third, just like in the regular season.

Groover is focusing on his defensive work in the Fall League. That’s on top of just making up for lost reps from the broken wrist that caused him to miss half the season.

“Defensive work. I’ve been playing third, second, first since I’ve been here. So, I’m kind of all over the field. I’m just trying to be the best I can at every position, I mean, the more versatile I am , the more I can help my team win, essentially.”

His wrist is fine now and Groover said: “I wouldn’t wish a wrist fracture or surgery on anyone or fractures in general. But things happen. It’s really out of my control, out of my control. player control. It’s just happening. We’re living with it, taking it day by day.

In his free time, Groover is a huge NBA fan, although he doesn’t have a favorite team, which he says helps him see both sides of a basketball debate. “A little impartial too. So I can see both sides, when people have their quarrels.”

He is also a great gamer and plays a lot of NBA2K or MLB the Show half the year before getting bored of it and switching to 2K. However, he also plays many other games. “I’m everywhere.”

Gino Groover is an elite prospect for the D-backs and could make a push to be in the top 100 before the end of next year, if not sooner. He will likely make his debut at Chase Field for the Arizona Diamondbacks sooner rather than later. For now, he can be seen playing at Salt River Fields. Discover the Arizona Fall League Website for timetable and ticket information.