Tyler Skaggs promises to be 'whole different person' for Diamondbacks in 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tyler Skaggs was shut down by the team last week, but he knows the battle for making the team's pitching rotation next season has already begun. The 21-year-old prospect told the Diamondbacks official website that he'll take what he learned this year to make himself better in the offseason.

"Trust me, when you see me in Spring Training, it's going to be a whole different person. You'll see. It'll be fun to watch."

In six starts with the Diamondbacks, Skaggs went 1-3 and compiled a 5.83 ERA. He had 21 strikeouts through 29⅓ innings pitched in the majors.

Skaggs was deactivated by Arizona last week and on Monday was throwing a few balls under the tutelage of Diamondbacks pitching coach Charles Nagy. Manager Kirk Gibson told the team website that Skaggs should greatly benefit from being called up to the major leagues in the middle of the season.

Gilbson said he shut down Skaggs because he didn't want to "overdo it."