Buddy Kennedy Gets the Call, Will Make MLB Debut
June 17, 2022 - Texas League (TL)
Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release
Buddy Kennedy with the Amarillo Sod Poodles
(Amarillo Sod Poodles)
AMARILLO, Texas - Today, the Arizona Diamondbacks selected the contract of Buddy Kennedy, making him the ninth former Sod Poodle to make their way to the Major League roster for the Diamondbacks since the affiliation began ahead of the 2021 season. Kennedy will be the seventh former Sod Poodle to make their Major League debut with the Diamondbacks.
Kennedy, the current No. 21 rated prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system, has spent the entirety of 2022 so far with Triple-A Reno. In 54 games with the Aces, Kennedy is hitting .296 with four home runs, eight doubles, three triples, 24 RBI, and 30 walks. He currently ranks in the top 10 in the Diamondbacks farm system in walks (4th), triples (T-5th), hits (T-6th, 58), and runs scored (T-6th, 37).
The Millville, New Jersey native was selected in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Millville High School, making him the second-highest drafted player from Millville HS behind Mike Trout.
The third baseman began the 2021 season with High-A Hillsboro before making his way to Amarillo on June 21. In 66 games with Amarillo, Kennedy hit .278 with 17 home runs, six doubles, two triples, and 41 RBI. He finished the 2021 season ranked fifth in the D-backs' farm system with 22 total home runs including a home run in his Double-A debut on June 22 in Corpus Christi. Kennedy set a Sod Poodles' franchise-high with five hits on September 11 versus Tulsa.
The list of former Sod Poodles to make their Major League debut with the Diamondbacks includes: RHP Luis Frias, C Jose Herrera, LHP Tyler Holton, OF Jake McCarthy, RHP Brandyn Sittinger, OF Alek Thomas, and now Kennedy. They join RHP Humberto Mejia and INF Geraldo Perdomo who were recalled to the Major League roster during the 2021 season. Since 2019 as a San Diego Padres affiliate, there have now been 31 former Sod Poodles to make it to 'The Show' with RHP MacKenzie Gore debuting for the Padres earlier this season and LHP Matt Gage making his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this month.
Images from this story
 Buddy Kennedy with the Amarillo Sod Poodles |
 Buddy Kennedy with the Amarillo Sod Poodles |
 Buddy Kennedy with the Amarillo Sod Poodles |
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