Since being drafted out of high school by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2020, A.J. Vukovich has suited up for each of franchise’s farm teams, from Low-A Visalia in California to High-A Hillsboro in Oregon before playing at Double-A Amarillo in Texas before debuting at Triple-A Reno last year. In 2025, the Mukwonago, Wisc., native reached Northern Nevada and immediately made an impact, playing a team-high 111 games for Reno and hitting a team-best 22 home runs with 79 RBIs. Set to turn 25 years old this July, the former fourth-round selection finds himself on the brink of reaching the major leagues, boasting a .308 batting average with a pair of home runs and nine RBIs a few weeks into the 2026 season.

We recently caught up with Vukovich from Greater Nevada Field to talk about his path in the pros, his one-time basketball prowess and the mindset he carries as he continues to work toward his big-league dream. You can watch our interview with A.J. Vukovich at the top of the page or read the full Q&A below.

Q&A with A.J. Vukovich

Nevada Sports Net: What’s it been like to be a part of this squad and live in the Biggest Little City?

A.J. Vukovich: It’s been a lot of fun. Definitely feels a little different. My second year here, so last year you’re taking it all in (during my) first year in Triple-A, kind of understanding how everything works. But it feels really good now this year, being able to come back, visit all the opposing teams, see all the different cities and get used to the coaching staff, all the guys. And now I feel like I can kind of hit the ground running more so this year. So, it’s been great, and I’ve had a great time playing for the Aces so far.

Nevada Sports Net: Let’s talk about the Pacific Coast League because you have ran through the gauntlet of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Started out with Low-A Visalia, you ended up in High-A Hillsboro, so from California to Oregon, then Amarillo, Texas, then to Reno. Obviously very different locations. What’s it been like working through the system and now ending up here in Triple-A?

A.J. Vukovich: It’s been awesome. Thinking about it when I was younger, I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. I’ve been able to hit every spot, like you said. The progression’s been pretty normal, I would say, and good for what I need as a player and as a person. I’ve sort of been saying to some of the teammates, especially some of new guys, that it’s kind of cool in Reno. It sort of reminds me of all of the affiliates that the Diamondbacks have coming together as one. That’s fun. The ballpark is kind of one thing in itself, but then the fans and everything kind of remind me of the other cities, how they really cheer everybody on. And then the weather kind of reminds me of Hillsboro at the beginning of the year. And you go to some of the same cities in Texas as Double-A.

Nevada Sports Net: And you were a two-sport standout, too. We’ve got to talk about A.J. Vukovich the basketball player. Over 2,000 points scored in high school. Was there a decision that had to be made to go toward baseball instead of basketball? And can I get the scouting report on A.J. on the hardwood?

A.J. Vukovich: I would say I always kind of enjoyed baseball a little bit more and always thought it could take me a little bit further. But I would say when I was about eighth grade to freshman year, I started becoming more competitive at a higher level in baseball and I joined a really good travel-baseball program out of Wisconsin called Hitters Baseball. They were able to help me find a college. I was committed to the University of Louisville pretty quickly into my freshman year of high school. So after that, it was kind of, like, “All right, now what?” I started just working really hard for the draft. But when I was in eighth grade (and) freshman year in high school, I was really competitive into basketball, too. I played basketball with Jalen Johnson on the Atlanta Hawks, Johnny Davis, who was a really good player with the Wisconsin Badgers and he’s with the Bucks. (I also played with) Brandon Podziemski. He’s on the Golden State Warriors. So, I was definitely high level into basketball at one point in my life. And I think if I chose a different route, I could have played at college somewhere. I’m not sure where, but I definitely think it helps me on the baseball field still to this day.

Nevada Sports Net: Those are some pretty slick name drops right there. I’ve got to know what kind of player you were, though. Was it like a three-and-D situation? Could you play all positions? Point guard? What are we doing?

A.J. Vukovich: I would say if there’s one guy that reminds me — he’s definitely more athletic than me — but just the way he plays is the guy on Houston, Amen Thompson. He’s not necessarily the greatest shooter, and I could shoot it. But he attacks the rim, goes and gets rebounds, slashes at the basket. That was definitely my playing style. And then when I got hot from three, it was kind of, like, “How could you stop me?” It was, like, “Yeah, somebody try to stop him. Send all five at him.”

Nevada Sports Net: I asked you to give me the scouting report and you go straight to the NBA comparison. So, nonetheless, you end up getting drafted out of high school. You get drafted in 2020, which was the COVID-shortened draft. You end up going in the fourth round to the Diamondbacks. Was it weird starting your professional career under that pandemic umbrella?

A.J. Vukovich: Oh yeah, it was definitely different. The Diamondbacks did a really good job — even though there wasn’t any season to be played — when there was finally times where you could be cleared to have people in the facility. They got all the draft picks out, so we were able to see the facility and start playing at the spring training complex. So, even though I didn’t play a season in 2020, it was almost like a spring training/fall league sort of deal. So, that was a really cool intro. But, yeah, it was definitely an interesting experience. But when all that stuff started happening, I was definitely sort of thinking, “Well, this might have to be the college route just in terms of the draft being shortened and I’m not sure what it’s gonna look like.” But I always say I trust in God’s plan and he’s led me to this point and I’m just gonna keep taking it one day at a time. Everything happens just the way it’s supposed to with hard work, and so that’s all I’m working towards.

Nevada Sports Net: Crazy to think that draft selection was almost six years ago now and here you are on the precipice of the major leagues. Just take me inside your mindset as you suit it up each and every day, knowing that each and every rep, each and every game, you’re getting closer to that major-league dream. What are some of the things you’re working on? What’s some of the messaging you’re being given?

A.J. Vukovich: Yeah, no doubt. It’s kind of like a full-circle moment for me. I’ve definitely had those thoughts as of late, thinking about all the hard work I’ve put in, all the coaches that have helped me, all my family members that have helped me. I’ve just been kind of reminding myself of those things because baseball is a long, hard grind. But I have always enjoyed it, and I have always enjoyed the little things. So, that’s kind of what I’ve been doing. I know what things I can control, and that’s showing up every day, working hard, having fun with the guys and just enjoying it. I look back and say, “It’s crazy how I’ve gotten to this (point). (It) seems maybe smooth on paper, but it’s never easy. There’s a lot of things that go into it so just stay in your roots and what got you here.” And that’s kind of what I want to do, just moving forward trusting in the people that want to help me.

You can watch our interview with the Reno Aces’ A.J. Vukovich at the top of this page.