Tommy Henry: A 2025 Diamondbacks Review - From Hope to the IL
It's a tough pill to swallow when a player's journey takes a sharp turn, and that's precisely the story of Tommy Henry in the 2025 season. Once considered a potential contender for a starting rotation spot, Henry's path took a detour, leaving fans wondering what could have been. Let's dive into his rollercoaster season.
- Overall Rating: 3.13
- 2025 Stats: 2 Games, 6.2 Innings Pitched, 4.05 ERA, 7.49 FIP, 1.05 WHIP, 10.8 SO/BB, 112 ERA+
- Date of Birth: July 29, 1997 (Age 28)
- 2025 Earnings: $367,741 (Pro-rated $820,000)
- 2026 Status: Ruled out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June/July 2025.
A Look Back
To understand Henry's 2025, we need a quick rewind:
- 2022 Player Review: (https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/12/17/23499279/2022-diamondbacks-reviews-19-tommy-henry) (#19, 5.22 - "Tommy Time" began in 2022. Would it continue?)
- 2023 Player Review: (https://www.azsnakepit.com/2023/12/23/24013266/2023-arizona-diamondbacks-reviews-19-tommy-henry) (#19, 5.54 - "Better than MadBum")
- 2024 Player Review: (https://www.azsnakepit.com/2024/11/20/24299898/2024-diamondbacks-reviews-39-tommy-henry) (#39, 3.49 - "Took a big step back in 2024")
The Rise and Fall
Remember when we thought Henry had a genuine shot at the starting rotation? That was before Jordan Montgomery signed just before the 2024 season. Despite being a second-round pick in the 2019 MLB draft, Henry wasn't a highly touted prospect. His pre-MLB minor league stats didn't scream "star." However, his performances in 2022 and 2023 offered a glimmer of hope, but doubts lingered.
2024: A Rough Patch
Those doubts solidified in 2024. Henry made the opening day rotation, but the results were far from ideal. He struggled, giving up 9 home runs, hitting 4 batters, and seeing his fastball velocity drop significantly. His 7.04 ERA in 9 games (38.1 innings) painted a clear picture of his struggles.
2025: A Season of Setbacks
Henry started the 2025 season in Reno, and the results were less than stellar, even for the Pacific Coast League (PCL). He started 6 games, with 4 losses, and gave up 32 runs in 31.2 innings. It's a mystery why the Diamondbacks kept him starting in AAA.
But here's where it gets controversial... When the Diamondbacks were in a pinch, Henry was called up to the big leagues in early May. Corbin Burnes was out, and Ryne Nelson was set to fill the rotation spot. Henry was slated for long relief. In his first outing, he pitched 2.2 scoreless innings against the New York Mets, needing just 36 pitches. Although BABIP suggested he was lucky, the Diamondbacks lost 5-4. The next day, Henry was sent back to Reno.
The Rollercoaster Continues
Back in Reno, Henry continued to give up runs, allowing 13 runs in his next 4 outings before another call-up. This time, he pitched against the Braves, after a rough start from Pfaadt. Henry pitched 4 innings, with 7 strikeouts, but gave up 3 more runs. The Diamondbacks lost 11-10. The next day, he was back in Reno, where he gave up 6 runs in 2 innings. This would be his last outing, as he was placed on the 7-day IL in Reno on June 12.
A month later, Henry was moved to the 60-day IL to make room for Tristin English. Torey Lovullo announced that Henry had undergone Tommy John surgery, including internal bracing and ligament repair.
2026 and Beyond
And this is the part most people miss... Henry's velocity had already declined before he was drafted. In 2023, he spent time on the 60-day IL with left elbow inflammation, but didn't require surgery then. His fastball averaged 89.8 mph in 2024 and dropped to 89.0 mph in his 2025 appearances. Since he had Tommy John surgery in June/July, Henry's 2026 season is already over. We won't see him in a Diamondbacks uniform until 2027, if ever.
What are your thoughts on Tommy Henry's journey? Do you think the Diamondbacks made the right decisions with his development? Share your opinions in the comments below!
