The Arizona Diamondbacks have played 41 games as of right now, and while this isn’t a grade them style article; I am going to break down what they have been doing well. Of corse what they need to improve.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Now that the Suns season is over, let me get you all caught up with the D-Backs.
Okay, if I had to give it a grade, A-. That’s being picky, yet the pitching needs to be improved by one or two guys to get them to anything higher than an A-.
At the end of the day, this young team is learning in front of our eyes how to win baseball games in the Majors.
Arizona Diamondbacks First Quarter of Season
After winning a series against the San Francisco Giants over the weekend, the D-Backs are sitting at 23-18 at the 41 game mark. Arizona is on a 3 game winning streak and 3 games behind the Dodgers for first place in the NL West.
If the season ended today they would be in the playoffs as a wildcard comfortably, holding a 4 game division lead over the rest of the NL West.
If you look at the entire National League, Diamondbacks have the 4th best record. Behind the Brewers, Braves, and the Dodgers.
At The Plate
Arizona Diamondbacks are surprisingly one of the best hitting teams in the NL so far. First in hits with 373, and first in batting average hitting .270 as a team.
Then they are 2nd in the NL in doubles (83), 2nd in runs (209), 1st in triples (10), 8th in home runs (42), 3rd in stolen bases (33), as well as ranking 3rd in OBP (.331), SLG (.435), OPS (.767).
Somehow this team is doing all of this while being the team that has struck out the 2nd most (303).
While a lot of the production is coming from new faces like Carroll, Moreno, Guriell, and others. The core of this team that has been growing up in front of our in Marte, Walker, and the manager Lovullo has been at the top of their game this season.
Christian Walker leads the team with 9 homers while batting .264 and slugging .507 with an OPS north of .800. A number of other players are having career starts to the season.
Gabriel Moreno is hitting .320 and proving himself as top catcher of the future with out a doubt on defense. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also playing fantastic since coming to Arizona, batting .308 with 21 RBI’s.
Perdomo has stepped up batting .329 when he gets the opportunity, and Emanuel Rivera in 42 plate appearances is hitting .341.
Dominic Fletcher, the young phenom is turning the big league parks into his playground since getting called up earlier this year. In 13 games the kid is hitting .429 with 13 RBI’s and 2 home runs. His OPS is sitting at a staggering, no this is not a typo, 1.145.
On The Mound
Three things the Diamondbacks have on the mound are Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and a whole bunch of young potential. From the last 3-4 pitchers in the rotation and most of the bullpen, this team is young and talented.
To imagine any real run this season for the Diamondbacks to happen isn’t as far fetched as you think. The bats have already shown they will figure out a way to score. No matter how dramatic it gets, this team is making it happen.
One or two things need to happen on the pitching side of things however for a real championship run to occur. In a perfect world if your lucky both of these things happen.
If you are not aware of the greatness that is Zac Gallen. He has put his name in the top of the Cy Young conversation through the first 40 games.
Merrill Kelly has been right behind him as steady and deadly as always. Both seem to be in their peak prime years the last two seasons.
There are 4 pitchers who are in their rookie season technically that round out this rotation, Ryne Nelson, Tommy Henry, Brandon Pfaadt, and Drey Jameson.
The Diamondbacks need two of these four pitchers to reach their potential by the end of July, and be able to pitch meaningful quality starts come playoff time.
Or, Arizona needs to go grab an ace from a losing team looking to sell and give them a three headed monster in the starting rotation.
As I said, one or the other would be nice. Both happening and this team could be special.
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Rowan Donaghey is a Sports and Betting insider, and breaking news reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on twitter via @RowanDonaghey
