D-backs’ Trade Acquisition David Hagaman Looks Good In Return From Surgery

Diamondbacks officials have joked that 22-year-old righthander David Hagaman might have been their best acquisition of the trade deadline because he is a product of West Virginia, the alma mater of team owner Ken Kendrick.

But in his first month with his new organization, Hagaman has shown he has more than just good pedigree. He turned in four strong starts for High-A Hillsboro in which he has flashed the midrotation upside that drew Arizona to him in the first place.

The D-backs acquired Hagaman, along with lefties Kohl Drake and Mitch Bratt, when they traded Merrill Kelly to the Rangers on July 31. Hagaman has a 2.60 ERA with just two walks and 25 strikeouts in 17.1 innings since the swap.

“He’s just a strike-thrower who is going to go after hitters,” Hillsboro pitching coach Tyler Mark said. “He’s not afraid of contact and he’s not going to shy away from attacking the strike zone. I think with the stuff he has and those ingredients, it’s cool to see.”

Said Hagaman: “I think in college I kind of struggled with walks early on. Essentially, I got to a point where it was pretty much like, ‘Are you going to let them on for free? Or are you going to make them earn it?’

“My whole thought process was 0-1—first-pitch strike, get after ’em and see where it goes from there.”

Hagaman has shown all the traits of a future starter. He has a fastball that sits in the 93-95 mph range with good carry and extension, and his size, arm action and fluidity suggest he could have more velocity in the tank. He also throws a changeup, slider and curveball, the last of which has quickly emerged as his most trusted secondary offering.

All this from a pitcher who was drafted by Texas in the fourth round last year out of West Virginia, where he started just two games in two seasons before needing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow two months before the draft.

As a result, he did not make his pro debut until June 5—and he said his focus was so much on his recovery that the possibility of a trade hadn’t crossed his mind.

“I was mostly just trying to stay healthy and make sure I was feeling good,” Hagaman said. “That one caught me by surprise a little bit.”

Because he was coming off surgery, he waited to reintroduce his curveball to his repertoire. He did so after the trade and results have followed.

“He has gotten swing-and-miss with it in and out of the zone,” Mark said. “It’s a power curve in the mid 80s. At first we thought it might be more of a loopy, slower curveball to steal a strike, but he’s had some success with it as a put-away pitch, as well.”

Hagaman is eager to see what type of competition he gets to face in the Arizona Fall League this year, and after that he said he will turn his attention to the sort of training that might help him coax a bit more velocity out of his fastball.

“I feel like coming off the surgery, the velo is right where I want it,” said Hagaman, who touched 98 mph on Aug. 27. “I feel comfortable with it. I know there is going to be more coming eventually.”