Cristian Mena #21

Grew up idolizing the late Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura in the Dominican Republic...Enjoyed watching and playing basketball with family and friends in the Dominican Republic…He didn't cheer for a particular team but enjoyed watching the best point guards in the NBA....His younger brother, Bryan, is a right-handed pitcher in the Rockies' organization...Traded to D-backs for OF Dominic Fletcher on Feb. 3, 2024...Enters 2025 as the youngest D-back on the 40-man roster (DOB: Dec. 21, 2002).

2024

Entered the season rated as the D-backs' No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline...Made one start with the D-backs, which marked his Major League debut on July 3 at Dodgers (ND; four ER in 3 IP, two K)...At the time of his promotion, ranked among Pacific Coast League leaders in strikeouts (first, 89), innings (second, 82.2) and starts (tied for fourth, 16)...Optioned to Triple-A Reno on July 4...In 19 starts with Reno, went 4-2 with a 4.61 ERA (49 ER in 95.2 IP), 46 walks and 102 strikeouts...At age 21-195 days, became the D-backs' ninth-youngest player to make his debut, sixth-youngest debut by a pitcher and fourth-youngest by a starting pitcher (per Elias Sports Bureau).

2023

Combined to go 8-7 with a 4.85 ERA (72 ER in 133.2 IP), .248 opponent average, 64 walks and 156 strikeouts (10.50 K/9.0 IP) over 27 starts between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte...Spent most of the season with Birmingham, going 7-6 with a 4.66 ERA (59 ER in 114.0 IP), .234 opponent average and 136 strikeouts in 23 starts...Ranked among Birmingham leaders [min. 10 starts] in wins (first), quality starts (11), strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (first, 10.74), strikeouts (T-first) and innings (second)...Ranked among Southern League leaders (Double-A) in quality starts (first), strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (fourth) and strikeouts (T-fourth)...Recorded a season-high 11 strikeouts on May 4 @ Chattanooga and struck out 10+ batters on three occasions at Double-A...Was promoted to Triple-A on Aug. 29 and went 1-1 with a 5.95 ERA (13 ER in 19.2 IP) and 20 strikeouts over four starts...Entered the season rated as the White Sox’s No. 6 prospect by Baseball America and No. 7 by MLB Pipeline...Contract was selected by the White Sox to their 40-man roster in November.

2022

Went a combined 2-6 with a 3.80 ERA (44 ER in 104.1 IP) and 126 strikeouts over 24 starts between Single-A Kannapolis, High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham...Split the majority of the season between Kannapolis (11 starts) and Winston-Salem (10 starts) before being promoted to Birmingham in late August for his final three starts.