'I didn't believe it at first': D-backs call up No. 4 prospect Troy

PHOENIX -- Tommy Troy suspected something was up.

Late Friday night, the 24-year-old Diamondbacks prospect was in his hotel room winding down following Triple-A Reno’s 7-6 win at Oklahoma City. He had a heck of a game, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs, so it came as a bit of a surprise when special assistant of player development Miguel Montero asked him to meet in the lobby to review video.

The request was reasonable enough, especially considering Troy has been learning how to play the outfield over the past few seasons.

Turns out, it was not a standard film session.

Montero and Troy started to review highlights of his recent defensive plays before Montero asked a question that the D-backs’ No. 4 prospect has been waiting to hear since he was drafted by the club 12th overall in 2023.

“He started going over some play in the outfield, and asked me if I felt good in left field, and if I’m able to go play at Chase [Field],” Troy said with a beaming grin. “It was this incredible, incredible moment.”

Even if he wasn’t fooled.

“I didn't fall for it too much, but he did a good job,” Troy said. “I appreciated it.”

Troy is already in good company, as he’s joining his friend and former Aces teammate Ryan Waldschmidt in the outfield at Chase Field. Waldschmidt continues to impress with the Diamondbacks -- he was hitting .326 with six RBIs in 14 games with Arizona this month entering Saturday’s matchup against Colorado -- and Troy has been keeping up with his buddy’s big league progress.

Roommates in Reno, they now sit right next to each other in the Chase Field clubhouse.

“It's just great to see, because we all know what kind of person he is,” Troy said of Waldschmidt. “He's just an awesome dude.”

Troy had primarily played the infield up until about a year ago, when he started taking outfield reps with Reno. He said he played there a little at Stanford, but his experience was limited.

The switch has gone well, all things considered. Troy said the hardest adjustment was chasing fly balls to the wall, but his work with Minor League outfield and baserunning coordinator Peter Bourjos has helped him find a comfort zone stunningly quickly.

Troy has committed two errors in 25 games as an outfielder with Reno this season, an impressive clip for anyone fielding a new position, let alone at the Triple-A level. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Troy’s progress, and confidence, made him the most logical call-up following a left hamstring strain that sent starting left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the 10-day injured list on Saturday.

Troy was not in Saturday’s lineup, but Lovullo did not rule out using him as a defensive replacement, especially after he got a glowing endorsement of Troy’s abilities from Bourjos.

Lovullo has already had a chat with Troy, as he makes a point to meet with any newly called up prospect.

He channels his inner Gene Hackman while doing so.

“I go back to the movie ‘Hoosiers,’ when [Hackman] pulled the tape measure out and dropped it down to say it's a 10-foot-high rim,” Lovullo said. “I tell him it's 60 feet, six inches, and 90 feet around the bases. … The ball is not going to move any faster, it's just, how are you going to respond to what you're seeing?

“I want you to be the best version of yourself.”

Troy talked to his family and girlfriend right after learning of his promotion. His loved ones won’t have far to travel if he does make his debut on Saturday, as they moved to the Phoenix metropolitan area after he was selected by Arizona in the 2023 Draft.

Whenever his number gets called, Troy said he’ll be ready to take it all in.

“It hits you all at once,” he said. “I didn't believe it at first, and then it starts to settle in, and it feels real now.

“It's awesome.”