Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks Pitcher Connor Foley is Closing Games in the AFL
Foley shows an exciting, intriguing power arm, which could be why he is being looked at as a bullpen arm or even a closer.
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Connor Foley is closing games in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). He already has two saves and has shown he can attack hitters and locate strikes.
Since Being Drafted
Foley was drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 MLB draft. He has been a starter but has dealt with a right-arm and shoulder strain injury in his two years in the Diamondbacks farm system. He has yet to get a win in two seasons in MiLB. He does have 46 strikeouts against 115 batters faced in 26 innings. With those numbers, the organization remains hopeful he is over the injuries.
Pitch Selection
When Foley was drafted, scouts said he had an elite fastball that settles well in the strike zone. The fastball stays in the 93-95 mph range. With a low-80s changeup and a slider that gets ground ball outs, he has a good three-pitch selection. Still, the right-hander needs to improve his command to reach his full potential.
Power Arm
Foley shows an exciting, intriguing power arm, which could be why he is being looked at as a bullpen arm or even a closer. The organization wants to see if he can succeed with a bullpen conversion next season. As a closer, they want to see if he has the approach and attitude.
Closer Attitude
To be a closer, he will need that “closer” mentality. That requires a specific emotional detachment to not only pitch well, but to get high-pressure outs. This is especially true in game situations with runners on base and a lead on the line. That brashness and zero margin for error are what it takes to lock down a save and secure the wins.
Work in the AFL
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Connor Foley is closing games in the AFL. Over the final four weeks, he will continue to face top prospects in a closer role. Playing with and against other high-quality, driven players will only benefit him and his career. Being coached and mentored by people from MLB organizations beyond the Diamondbacks is another benefit, since they can offer alternate viewpoints and strategies to get him where they know he can go. They will work with Foley to refine his pitch selection and emphasize his fastball. They can also challenge him, improving his resilience and late-game strategy.
More Experience Needed
With his injuries and limited game involvement, Foley needs more experience to advance. He needs to improve his pitch sequencing, confidence on the mound, and determination. Limited pitching experience means a continued learning curve in terms of pitch location and strike-throwing consistency and reliability. The AFL is giving him that experience.
Outlook
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Connor Foley is closing games in the AFL. Foley’s outlook as a bullpen arm could be positive. However, he needs to prove he’s healthy to advance his career. He will start the season at Double-A, but if he can show he’s effective as a closer or a solid setup pitcher, he will pitch at Triple-A. If he pitches well and shows he is fully recovered from his arm injuries, he could become a reliable, go-to bullpen arm for the big-league team in late 2027.
Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall has been writing about sports for over 10 years. He started his sports career in radio, co-hosting and producing several sports-talk radio programs in Phoenix. He has covered local, college, and national sports, but specializes in MLB. His articles have appeared in several sports-reporting sites, including our own Legends On Deck. Jim is also a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA).
