'Pretty unreal': D-backs' first-round pick signs, then takes BP with a legend

PHOENIX -- Ryder Helfrick is already learning from the best.

The 21-year-old catcher took batting practice at Chase Field on Tuesday, not even two weeks after the Diamondbacks selected him at No. 15 in the 2026 MLB Draft. Added bonus: He was hitting along with third baseman Nolan Arenado, who recorded his 2,000th career hit on Monday against the Athletics.

That’s one heck of a way to take your first batting practice session.

“Just being in the stadium, and being here, is pretty cool,” Helfrick said. “Hitting with a guy who just got his 2,000th hit the night before was pretty unreal as well, so it was an awesome experience.”

Helfrick, who was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 11 prospect heading into the 2026 Draft, showed plenty of swagger in the batter’s box. Even so, it wasn’t his bat that attracted the D-backs to the University of Arkansas product.

Yes, he’s made great strides with his offensive production over the past three collegiate seasons, but the catcher’s ability to call a game is what ultimately made it feel as if the Diamondbacks landed a steal at No. 15 overall.

Manager Torey Lovullo was singing Helfrick’s praises prior to Tuesday’s game against the A’s.

“[Game management] might be the single most important thing we have with our catcher,” Lovullo said. “I told him that he came here with a very high and a very strong reputation for being able to remember game plans and call game plans and read swings.”

Helfrick exited high school as one of the best catchers in the 2023 class, and steadily increased his dependability as a catcher and a hitter in his three seasons as a Razorback. His bat came alive during his sophomore and junior seasons, but his dependability behind the plate truly stood out.

He credited his defensive development to Razorbacks pitching coach Matt Hobbs -- who happens to be acting in the same role with the 2026 Collegiate National Team this summer -- and said the coaching staff’s faith in him helped him become one of the top signal callers in all of college baseball.

“They have a lot of trust in the players, and I think that's a big reason why let me call the game, is trust,” Helfrick said. “You gotta trust your guys, so that was one of the best things I've learned.”

Tuesday’s session wasn’t about defense, though. Instead, Helfrick was getting his first taste of big league batting practice in the cage.

Lovullo said he was impressed with Helfrick’s approach to the day, and he hadn’t even picked up a bat yet.

“Seems like he's a very spirited, engaging personality,” Lovullo said. “We want young men to come in here, grow up, learn, and become better young men who happen to also be better baseball players.

“I think he fits that mold very, very well so far.”

Of course, when Lovullo told Helfrick of star outfield Corbin Carroll’s first batting practice experience -- in which he smashed the first pitch he saw over the yellow line in straightaway center field -- the young catcher was able to muster up just one response.

“He told me that story, and I told him, ‘I don't have that type of juice to go dead center here,’” Helfrick said with a smile.

Tuesday’s session was just a taste of what’s to come, but Helfrick already has the buy-in and talent to generate a buzz around Chase Field. Though his journey is just beginning, he’s already at an important stage of his career as he begins to adjust to life as a professional.

So far, so good.

“It's been surreal,” Helfrick said. “It's been awesome just to meet everybody and just be around here, because this is all ultimately where you want to end up.”