DBacks All-Star Break Update

After an offseason that left fans wondering about the wisdom of trading face of the franchise Paul Goldschmidt at the same time slugging C/1B Mike Napoli was allowed to leave as a free agent, the Diamondbacks got off to a slow 4-11 start. The whispers began that new GM Matt Book might be fired before the end of the year. Fans and ownership questioned the wisdom of losing not just those two, but also Brandon McCarthy, Cody Ross, Jason Kubel, Connor Gillaspie, and David Hernandez in a series of cost-cutting moves. But the Diamondbacks have since rounded into form, going 50-31 since that point and are ready for a second-half playoff push. Currently sitting just half a game out of the wild card and 4.5 back of the NL West leading Padres, Arizona looks to continue its recent run of success through the remainder of the season.The team’s hitting has been led by Ike Davis, who is having a career year with 25 HRs and a .296 batting average at the break after coming over in the Goldschmidt trade. The Diamondbacks PR team was disappointed that Davis couldn’t quite garner enough support to make the All-Star team, despite their giving away “I like Ike” buttons at the Diamondbacks last home game before the results were announced, and are already planning next year’s campaign.

The Diamondbacks’ league leading offense has also been bolstered by outstanding performances by 3B David Freese, C Miguel Montero and spark-plug lead-off man Adam Eaton, as well as solid contributions up and down the lineup from players like 2B Aaron Hill and OFs Gerardo Parra and Michael Saunders.

The starting rotation has been solid, usually pitching deep into games and giving the team a chance to win. This has been especially important because the bullpen, expected to be an area of strength with Heath Bell and J.J. Putz holding down the back end, struggled through mid-June, forcing the team to part with skilled young SS Didi Gregorius. The Gregorius trade was made possible by the off-season signing of veteran Rafael Furcal, the successful waiver claim of Joe Panik from the Giants, and the continued development of Chris Owings, which created a position of strength. In exchange for Gregorius, the team acquired Bruce Rondon, who was immediately plugged into the closer role and has converted 10 of 11 save opportunities in his month with the team, and Brandon Kintzler, who has tossed many strong innings in middle relief.

Finally, the future is bright as well. After dominating in the winter league, Tyler Skaggs has stepped seamlessly into the rotation, and 1B Jonathan Griffin has accumulated 8 home runs in only 121 at-bats while pinch hitting, giving Davis the occasional day off, and filling in as the regular 1B during Davis’s current three week injury. Meanwhile, OF Michael Choice showed that he had nothing left to prove at AAA and has gotten the call to the big leagues. Choice provides a strong right-handed bat (8 HR in only 101 AB), which helps balance what had become a very left-handed lineup. Further down the ranks, top prospect Philip Ervin’s success in A-ball led to his quick promotion to AA, where he continues to hit .300 with power and speed. If he keeps it up, he may find himself in AAA by season’s end, or even in the majors as a September callup.

The Diamondbacks enter the trade-deadline period without obvious holes to fill, but, as always, are on the lookout for ways to improve and fit the final piece into the puzzle.