Yordin Chalas Developing Into Future D-backs Reliever
Yordin Chalas is one of many bullpen arms that popped up in the lower parts of the Diamondbacks system in 2024.
SCOTTSDALE – Yordin Chalas is one of many bullpen arms that popped up in the lower parts of the Diamondbacks system in 2024. Between Low-A Visalia and High-A Hillsboro, he struck out 72 batters in just 50.1 innings. But it was his combination of present velocity and a projectable frame that makes him one of the more interesting arms in Arizona's system.
In 2025, the Diamondbacks transitioned Chalas to a starter at High-A Hillsboro to begin the season. In a more controlled setting, the goal was to make Chalas less reliant on his fastball and use his secondary stuff more effectively to put away hitters.
At the time, D-backs farm director Chris Slivka stated that putting Chalas on a starter track would accelerate his development. Not only would it give him an extra inning on the mound per week, but he'd also be able to throw a bullpen session to work on his stuff.
"Definitely different being a starter for the first time," said Chalas, with pitching coach Tyler Mark serving as the interpreter. "I definitely feel more comfortable being in the bullpen because that's something I'm more used to. But I understand at the end of the day the developmental process behind it and it will definitely help me in the long run."
Following the trade deadline, and the acquisitions of starting pitcher prospects David Hagaman and Ashton Izzi, Chalas reverted back to the bullpen. His final nine appearances for 2025 came in relief, five of them with Double-A Amarillo after an August promotion.
It's one of those situations where the gains made in player development aren't necessarily reflected well in the stat sheet. In 26 appearances, the first 17 starts, Chalas pitched to a 6.06 ERA. In 71.1 innings, he struck out 68 while walking 38. It might not look like the season most expect for a pitcher with the upside he brings.
Moving forward, it's more likely that Chalas pitches exclusively as a reliever. He has the stuff to be a back-end arm in the future. Out of a long, whippy arm action, he features a sinker that averaged 96.3 MPH in his first outing in the Arizona Fall League. He complements then with a four-seamer, slider, and a splitter.
"Just get more feel with the slider and split and then focus on my fastball shape, getting it more consistent."
His delivery and stuff is comparable to Miguel Castro, a reliever on the pennant-winning club in 2023. Both pitchers are from La Romana in the Dominican Republic.
Chalas' first outing in the Arizona Fall League was solid, as he pitched a clean eighth inning at Salt River Fields on Thursday. He finished that outing with a dotted 94.4 MPH four-seamer that nailed the outer edge of the zone for his first strikeout.
"Felt good, felt comfortable coming in later in the ball game. Felt like I was meant to be out there and help the team with that clean inning."
The D-backs are slowly building decent bullpen depth at the top of their farm system. They're still in the process of evaluating some of their young arms, trying to figure out the right pieces before A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez return from elbow surgery. That includes a pair of Chalas' teammates here in the Arizona Fall League: Kyle Amendt and Drey Jameson.
For Chalas, the key for 2026 will be continued development of his arsenal. The high-elevation environments, such as Amarillo and Reno, will nerf the movement of his pitches by 18-20%. That will force him to work on locating his pitches effectively to get outs.
The likelihood he arrives in the D-backs bullpen will be at some point in the 2027 season.
