When you think of elite strikeout arms in the Diamondbacks' system, a few big names might come to mind—but some of the most exciting K artists are flying under the radar. With enough batters faced to get a meaningful sample, it's time to spotlight the pitchers who are truly dominating at the dish.

Last week, in the span of fewer than 24 hours, the baseball world saw two very different outcomes for two outfielders. Jake McCarthy launched a grand slam and drove in five runs as the Rockies beat the Mets 6-2. Meanwhile, Alek Thomas was designated for assignment. In the heat of the moment, it's easy for fans to jump to conclusions—"We traded the wrong guy!"—but the truth is far more nuanced.

We'll never know exactly what the return for Thomas would have been, but here's the key: while results are what show up in the win column, Thomas was incredibly unlucky at the plate this season. His expected stats tell a much better story. His xwOBAcon (expected weighted on-base average on contact—a stat that sounds as good as it plays) was a staggering 110 points higher than his actual wOBA. That's not a fluke. His barrel rate, launch angles, and hard-hit percentage all improved from last year. McCarthy, on the other hand, owns one of the lowest hard-hit rates in the game—though his launch angles have ticked up. Still, his xwOBAcon sits at .385 compared to Thomas's .359, a gap that Coors Field certainly helps but doesn't fully explain. And defensively? Thomas is the clear superior.

The Diamondbacks designated Thomas as much because of a roster crunch as performance. With improved launch angles, they're hoping he clears waivers and heads to Reno to keep developing. If another team scoops him up and he suddenly starts producing above replacement level, don't assume they "fixed" him. More likely, the adjustments the D-backs already made are finally getting the luck they deserve.

But enough about outfielders. Let's talk about the under-the-radar arm Arizona landed in the McCarthy trade: Josh Grosz.

A Yankees' 11th-round pick in 2023—just five selections after the Mariners took Brandyn Garcia—Grosz now joins Casey Anderson as the third 11th-rounder from that class in the Diamondbacks' system. And that 2023 draft class is looking increasingly solid. Anderson, for his part, is already turning heads. But Grosz brings something to the mound that every organization craves: the ability to miss bats.

Whether you're tracking prospects for fantasy, scouting for your next favorite player, or just love watching arms that make hitters look silly, Grosz is a name worth knowing. And with the season progressing, his strikeout numbers are making a statement the D-backs are happy to hear.