The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE postseason accolades continued for Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Jazz Chisholm, when he was named an organisational All-Star.

Each offseason, minor league baseball’s official website (MiLB.com) goes position-by-position across each system and honours the players – regardless of age or prospect status – who had the best seasons in their organisation.

Chisholm was chosen as the top prospect at shortstop for the Diamondbacks and finished the season ranked No.2 overall.

“Jazz really grew up this year,” said Mike Bell, vice president of player development at Arizona.

“He matured off the field and as a player with his discipline and knowledge during the game. He hits for a ton of power, particularly from the shortstop position, and he played some good defence as the year went on.

“Some of his best production came late in the year, which was another great sign.”

His season will continue in the Arizona Fall League with the Salt River Rafters when the league opens on October 9.

The Rafters have MLB affiliations with the Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals.

Just last week, the franchise announced that the 20-year-old shortstop was named its Minor League Player of the Year.

On the season between two clubs, he hit .272 (124-for-456)/.329 OBP/.513 SLG with 23 doubles, six triples, 25 home runs, 70 RBI, 39 walks, 17 stolen bases and 79 runs scored in 112 games between the Single-A Kane County Cougars and the Single-A Advanced Visalia Rawhide.

A Midwest League midseason All-Star, Chisholm led all D-backs farm system players in home runs, and ranked among the leaders in runs (3rd), triples (T-5th), RBI (7th), slugging pct. (8th) and walks (T-9th).

Chisholm began his season with Kane County, appeared in 76 games for the Cougars and hit .244 with 43 RBI, 17 doubles, four triples and 17 doubles.

Chisholm also posted an on-base percentage of .311, slugging percentage of .472 and OPS of .783 in 307 at bats. In his final game with the Cougars, he hit two home runs and set career highs with five hits and five RBIs. He received a promotion in July when the Diamondbacks assigned him to the Rawhide.

Through 36 games with the Rawhide, Chisholm hit .329 with a .369 OBP, a .966 OPS, slugging .597, 49 hits, 10 home runs, two triples, six doubles, 27 RBI, scored 27 runs with nine stolen bases. The Rawhide eventually finished as runners-up to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in the California League Championship series.

A torn meniscus cut short Chisholm’s 2017 season with the Cougars. Last year, he played in just 29 games - hit .248 with, three stolen bases, slugging .358, an on-base percentage of .325, an OPS of .683, 12 RBI and one home run.