Shawn Dubin Joins Diamondbacks On Minor League Deal

This article breaks down the Arizona Diamondbacks’ recent move to sign right-handed pitcher Shawn Dubin on a minor-league contract. We’ll look at his career arc, performance trends, and how he might fit into the club’s pitching depth.

Dubin’s strengths, a few lingering concerns, and Arizona’s thinking behind the addition all get a mention here. Honestly, it’s a low-risk deal, and the team seems to like these kinds of upside arms heading into the season.

Diamondbacks Take a Low-Risk Flier on Shawn Dubin

The Arizona Diamondbacks quietly added some experienced pitching depth by signing right-hander Shawn Dubin to a minor-league deal. Baseball America’s Matt Eddy first reported the agreement last month, and Dubin, represented by Excel Sports Management, finalized it recently.

The move barely made a ripple in the news cycle, but it fits Arizona’s recent pattern. They seem to keep targeting arms with major-league experience who still have something to prove.

Background on Dubin’s Pro Career

Dubin, now 30, originally went to the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He spent most of his pro career in Houston’s system, working his way up and eventually pitching parts of three big-league seasons.

Scouts have always found Dubin interesting, but he’s never quite put the whole package together. That’s been the story so far.

Strikeouts Have Always Been Dubin’s Calling Card

Dubin consistently missed bats in the upper minors. That carried over a bit to the majors in 2024, when he posted a 4.17 ERA over 45 1/3 innings for Houston and notched a solid 23.7% strikeout rate.

His mix of pitches lets him challenge hitters, especially when he’s ahead in the count. That’s probably his biggest selling point.

Command Remains the Biggest Question

Even with the strikeouts, Dubin’s control has always been a sticking point. In 2024, his 12.6% walk rate highlighted the inconsistency that kept him from locking down a stable role.

Too many free passes and high pitch counts have erased the gains from his swing-and-miss stuff. That’s been tough to watch at times.

A Tale of Two Seasons in 2025

In 2025, Dubin split his season between some eye-catching Triple-A numbers and patchy major-league work. At Triple-A, he dominated in a tiny sample—just one run allowed and 14 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings.

That short run earned him another shot in the big leagues. The results, though, were mixed.

Mixed Results at the MLB Level

Back in the majors, Dubin didn’t miss bats like he used to. He finished his 2025 MLB stint with a 5.61 ERA over 25 2/3 innings and his strikeout rate dropped to 18.9%.

On the bright side, his walk rate improved to 7.2%, which hints at some progress with command. Still, his overall effectiveness dipped, and that’s hard to ignore.

A Late-Season Detour and Health Concerns

Houston designated Dubin for assignment in late August, and the Orioles scooped him up not long after. He tossed eight innings for Baltimore, giving up three runs, but then an elbow issue put him on the shelf.

Thankfully, imaging didn’t show any major structural damage. It could have been a lot worse.

Velocity Dip Worth Monitoring

Dubin avoided surgery and expected a normal offseason. Still, there’s a concern: his average fastball with Baltimore dipped to 93.6 mph, down from his usual 94–96 mph range.

For a guy with a pretty slim margin for error, keeping that velocity up will be crucial. That’s something Arizona will definitely keep an eye on.

How Dubin Fits into Arizona’s Plans

If he stays healthy and gets an invite to big-league camp, Dubin could compete for a swingman role with the Diamondbacks.

Arizona’s rotation looks solid at the top. Still, there are questions after the main five starters, so they need more depth arms.

• He’s pitched as both a starter and a reliever
• Can rack up strikeouts in short outings
• Low-risk signing, with some real upside if things click

 
Here is the source article for this story: Diamondbacks, Shawn Dubin Agree To Minor League Deal