he began playing in the diamondbacks organization in 2007 with the single-a visalia oaks. he was promoted to double-a mobile baybears after three impressive starts for the oaks. during the 2008 offseason, he was named the fourth-best prospect in the diamondbacks organization. after a good start to the 2008 season in triple-a tucson he was called up to the diamondbacks on april 27, 2008.