The Arizona Diamondbacks named DSL D-backs1 INF/OF Yoel Yanqui and Single-A Adv. Visalia RHP Jon Duplantier (@dup_thereitis) the organization's Minor League Player- and Pitcher-of-the-Month for July.
Yanqui, 21, hit .414 (24-for-58) with 5 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run and 12 RBI in 18 games in July for DSL D-backs1. He ranked among Dominican Summer League leaders last month in average (2nd), OPS (4th, 1.141), slugging pct. (5th, .655), triples (T-7th) and OBP (9th, .486). Yanqui, a native of Palma Soriano, Cuba, signed with the D-backs as a free agent on June 14.
Duplantier, 23, is the second pitcher in franchise history to earn the honor 3 times in a season, joining Archie Bradley (April, May and August 2013). Duplantier went 4-0 with a 1.82 ERA (5 ER in 24.2 IP), 28 strikeouts and 6 walks in 4 starts for the Rawhide in July. He ranked among California League leaders last month in ERA (2nd), wins (T-2nd), opponent average (6th, .250) and WHIP (7th, 1.14). Duplantier was also named the organization's Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Month in April (1-0, 0.00) and May (4-0, 0.79). He was selected by the D-backs in the third round of the 2016 First-Year Player draft from Rice University.
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.