Diamondbacks prospect Slade Caldwell underwent back surgery last week that will sideline him between four to six months, farm director Chris Slivka said on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Caldwell, an outfielder, has dealt with back issues since last season. He spent this year in High-A Hillsboro and struggled, hitting just .216/.363/.309 with six homers and 26 steals in 104 games.
“Slade’s back flared up at the end of the year, cutting his season short,” Slivka wrote in a text message. “He was placed on the 7-day IL and after a couple opinions on what was read as a disc injury, he opted for surgery.”
Caldwell, 20, was the Diamondbacks’ top pick in the 2024 draft. He was taken 29th overall out of an Arkansas high school. He entered the year ranked as the No.
6 prospect in the organization by Baseball America.
Caldwell told reporters in March he dealt with a herniated disk for part of the 2025 season. The organization brought him along slowly during spring training. He started the minor league season on time. He played the bulk of the season before landing on the injured list on Sept. 1. Hillsboro’s season ended Sept. 6.
Speaking to reporters in the spring, Caldwell downplayed the injury’s impact on his season last year, saying he was fine once he got warmed up. Still, one club source said there was a belief internally that the back played a part in Caldwell’s struggles this season, making it harder for him to get into certain positions with his swing and making him less rotational.
Last year, Caldwell hit .290/.460/.454 in 48 games in Low-A Visalia, earning a promotion to Hillsboro. He hit just .238/.370/.311 in 66 games in High-A and was sent back there this season.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks outfield prospect, 2024 1st-rounder, undergoes back surgery
