The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have acquired right-handed pitcher Dan Hudson and left-handed pitcher David Holmberg from the Chicago White Sox for right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson, according to D-backs’ interim General Manager Jerry Dipoto.
Hudson, 23, entered the 2010 season ranked by Baseball America as the third-best prospect in the White Sox organization, while also being tabbed as having the best slider and best control among the team’s minor leaguers. The right-hander compiled a 30-13 record and 2.90 ERA in 57 games during three seasons in the White Sox organization from 2008-10. Hudson garnered Minor League Baseball’s overall Starting Pitcher of the Year honors in 2009 after going 14-5 with a 2.32 ERA (38 ER in 147.1 IP) and 166 strikeouts over 26 starts between four teams in the White Sox farm system. He went 2-2 with a 7.34 ERA (28 ER in 34.1 IP) in 9 games (5 starts) with the big league club over the past two seasons, going 1-1 with a 6.32 ERA (11 ER in 15.2 IP) with 11 walks and 14 strikeouts in 3 starts this season. Hudson also posted an 11-4 record and 3.47 ERA (36 ER in 93.1 IP) with a complete game, 31 walks and 108 strikeouts over 17 starts with Triple-A Charlotte this season, garnering a selection to the International League midseason All-Star team. He was named to the United States roster for the 2010 All-Star Futures Game in Anaheim, Calif., but did not participate. Hudson was selected by the White Sox in the fifth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
Holmberg, 19, entered the 2010 season ranked by Baseball America as the eighth-best prospect in the White Sox organization. The left-hander has compiled a 3-3 record and 4.02 ERA in 21 games (14 starts) during two seasons in the White Sox organization from 2009-10. He has limited right-handed hitters to a .270 average (60-for-222) over the course of his career, while opponents have hit just .222 (20-for-90) with runners in scoring position. Holmberg compiled a 1-1 record and 3.29 ERA (14 ER in 38.1 IP) with 9 walks and 26 strikeouts over 7 starts with Rookie-Advanced Great Falls this season. He held opponents to 3 runs or less in 6 of his 7 games and pitched at least 6.0 innings in 4 of those contests. Holmberg was selected by the White Sox in the second round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
Jackson, 29, has a 44-49 record and 4.74 ERA in 160 games (131 starts) in eight Major League seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers and D-backs from 2003-10. The right-hander had a 6-10 record and 5.16 ERA while striking out 104 and walking 60 over 134.1 innings in 21 starts for the D-backs this season, including the second no-hitter in D-backs history on June 25 in Tampa. In 2009, Jackson earned his first trip to the All-Star Game and went on to set career-highs with a 3.62 ERA, 33 starts, 214.0 innings pitched, 161 strikeouts and 21 quality starts. Jackson was acquired by the D-backs, along with Ian Kennedy, in a three-team trade with the Tigers and New York Yankees on Dec. 9, 2009.