The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) named Rookie-Level AZL D-backs INF Blaze Alexanderand Double-A Jackson RHP Joel Payamps the organization's Minor League Player- and Pitcher-of-the-Month for July.
Alexander, 19, hit .333 (26-for-78)/.465 OBP/.564 SLG with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 20 RBI, 18 walks and 20 runs scored in 22 games for the AZL D-backs in July, ranking among the Arizona League leaders in extra base hits (1st), RBI (2nd), runs scored (2nd) and hits (5th). He reached base safely in all 22 games last month and logged 5 multi-hit performances, including a 4-for-6 night with 3 RBI on July 27 @ AZL Giants. He was promoted to Rookie-Level Missoula on August 1. A native of Cape Coral, Fla., the 6-foot-0, 160-pounder was selected by the D-backs in the 11th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.
Payamps, 24, went 3-2 with a 3.06 ERA (12 ER in 35.1 IP), 40 strikeouts, 6 walks, .218 opponent average, and just 1 home run, ranking among Southern League leaders in innings pitched (2nd) , WHIP (4th, 0.99) and strikeouts (4th). He recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts in 5.2 innings on July 3 @ Birmingham. He was promoted to Triple-A Reno on August 1. A native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, the 6-foot-2, 170-pounder was signed by the D-backs as an Minor League free agent on November. 30, 2015.
Every month during the season, the D-backs' Player Development staff chooses the player and pitcher most deserving of the honors based on nominations from coaches at each affiliate along with input from the Minor League coordinators. Below is a list of the overall winners as well as player nominated by each affiliate: