It’s no secret the Arizona Diamondbacks have had a plethora of young talent come through their farm system over the last few seasons. Names like Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Geraldo Perdomo and Jordan Lawlar come to mind.

Joining those ranks are minor league players like current top three prospects Ryan Waldschmidt, Kayson Cunningham and Slade Caldwell. They’re joined by the club’s tenth-ranked prospect LuJames “Gino” Groover who’s hot start in Triple-A this season has dramatically increased his chance of getting his call to the majors this season.

Groover Has Been In A Groove Since Day One 

Ever since the D-Backs used a second-round out NC State, the sweet swinging Groover has been raking. Groover’s play has caught the attention of the media, MLB writer Jonathan Mayo recently heaped high praise on the steadily rising third baseman calling him one of the top-10 future players on the hot corner.

“Since the D-backs took Groover out of North Carolina State in the second round of the 2023 Draft, he’s done nothing but hit, with a career .297 average and a .384 on-base percentage after posting a slash line of .309/.399/.434 at Double-A last year,” Mayo wrote of Groover.

“He rarely strikes out, with a career 13.5 percent K rate, never misses a fastball and had just a 20 percent overall miss rate, per Synergy, in 2025.”

Groover Hasn’t Missed A Beat In Triple-A

After spending all of the 2025 season with the Double-A Amarillo Sod-Poodles with a slash line of .309/.399/.434 taking home the Texas League batting title. While Groover isn’t a power hitter, his numbers prove that the contact and speed were there.

He’s followed that up with a blazing hot start to the season in Triple-A, over his first 98 plate appearances, Groover has hit the ball to an unbelievably .378 average for Triple-A Reno, with a .454 on-base percentage to go with it.

When asked in March about his play for the Reno Aces Groover had plenty to say.

“It’s a new place, new area. It felt great. I was just trying to come into the season building on what I built during the spring training and all my off-season work. I think the biggest thing is just trusting the off-season work.

“This is when it really matters now. And just playing with confidence, I know what I’m capable of. I was just going out there and showing it.”

“The offense is going to be offense, whatever it may be,” he said. “just holding down the hot corner over there [is an area I’m looking to improve]. What I did today, essentially. Just make the plays at the end of the day. 

“Drive runs in, get on base, whatever it may be. At the end of the day, we’re here to win games, help the team win. Things like that. Obviously, the game is going to dictate what your job is at that moment, and just executing at a high clip.”

For Groover offense isn’t and won’t be an issue, but his ability to be a solid defensive infielder will go a long way in determining how soon he gets that call up to the majors.

Groover Great At Drawing Walks 

Lost in Groover’s average and discipline at the plate is the former Wolfpack star’s ability to take pitches. He’s already taken 12 walks while only striking out 15 times, that’s something that D-Backs brass have to be happy. This has been Groover’s calling card throughout his minor league career. It was he, in fact, who wrested the Texas League batting title from Waldschmidt in 2025, hitting just a minor tick above .309 to earn that honor.

If the power can develop a bit while the defense continues to improve, Arizona’s No. 10 prospect might be a rapid call-up.