Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Demetrio Crisantes poses for a photo at the Arizona Fall League’s media day on Sept. 30, 2026, at Scottsdale Stadium.
Ian King, Cronkite News
“I had a little elbow problem back in high school, so during the draft process a lot of teams were not sure if I was going be able to play or be ready,” Crisantes said. “Luckily, the Diamondbacks believed in me and gave me that opportunity.”
Miguel said the Astros, Yankees and Blue Jays were most interested in his son but were unsure if he’d be ready to play following his pre-draft injury diagnosis.
That “little elbow problem” was actually one of baseball’s most infamous medical procedures.
After having his sophomore year wiped out by COVID-19, Crisantes underwent his first of two Tommy John surgeries, a reconstructive operation of the elbow’s ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) at just 15 years old.
“It was tough, especially during COVID,” Crisantes said. “We got the surgery done (with) whatever insurance could cover at the time and had to get it repaired again when I got drafted. Luckily, my elbow is feeling amazing now, and (I’ll) just go from there.”
Crisantes had to get the procedure redone because the first doctor did the surgery incorrectly, Miguel said. Regardless, both surgeries proved to be nothing but a minor delay for Crisantes, who posted .507 and .485 batting averages in his junior and senior seasons respectively, while currently holding a .312 average and .872 OPS over his four years in the minor leagues.
Once Crisantes graduated from Nogales High, his father donated nearly all of their equipment to friends and the Nogales community who helped along the way, kickstarting the opening of a new facility called Trained 2 Go.
Now Crisantes looks ahead to the six-week Arizona Fall League season as he proudly claims to be “100% healthy and playing harder.” He will collaborate with three other teams’ staffs under the Salt River Rafters to elevate his potential to its apex and make the major league push.