Diamondbacks Ups and Downs: July 5-July 20 (Ouchies) Edition

by Marc Fournier on Jul 21, 2011 10:00 AM EDT in Diamondbacks Trends

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 20: Stephen Drew #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is helped off the field after he was injured attempting to score against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning of the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on July 20, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. Drew was injured on the play and taken out of the game. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

It's been a while but the Trending column is back in action - let's get to it. The D-backs took a bit of a nosedive heading into the All-Star break with some tough break losses to the Cardinals but quickly recovered to take the "Beat L.A." series to start the second half. Barry Enright was recalled and promptly imploded, Zach Duke was relegated, and Aaron Heilman was told that he wasn't allowed on the team anymore. Oh yeah, Brandon Allen is back, Geoff Blum (Zack Morris) made his debut, Juan Miranda is now in the "Biggest Little City in the World", and Stephen Drew no longer has a working right ankle.

Phew.

And to top it all off, the Giants keep winning...

Follow the jump for all-duh-info...

And here we go:

Rotation	Trend	Notes
Ian Kennedy		Kennedy was arguably one of the best players not to be on the All-Star game this year. It hasn't slowed him down though as he continued his brilliant season, posting back-to-back "quality starts" against the Cardinals and Dodgers. It was particularly nice to see him pitch well against St. Louis, a team that had torched him earlier in the year. His overall numbers were less impressive, but two wins and a 3.46 ERA with 10 K's over that span isn't a bad thing.
Daniel Hudson		3.6 fWAR to date. You like apples? How do you like dem apples? Hudson's K rate has dipped a bit lately, but it didn't matter in his last two outings as he allowed only 13 hits and 3 walks in 14 innings. Not exactly the most inspiring numbers, and he's still allowing a buttload of flyballs (tied a season high of 17 in his complete game against L.A.), but he's still a force. He also notched his second complete game.
Joe Saunders		He's still not blowing anyone away, or cutting down on his walks, or allowing fewer home runs, but he has dropped his ERA to 3.82 and brought his ERA+ to over 100 for the first time this season. At this stage, Joe almost seems to be a lock for a "quality start" on any given day.
Barry Enright ^^^		Barry was doing well enough in Reno to warrant another look in the bigs. He answered the call by allowing 7 hits, 6 earned runs, and 4 home runs in just 3 innings. Enright was optioned back to Reno the next day. He tied a team record by allowing 3 home runs in one inning. [Insert argument about him being out of chances].
Josh Collmenter		Advocates of keeping Collmenter in the rotation got their fill recently as the 'tomahawk' threw 14 shutout innings against the Brewers, allowing only 6 hits while sporting a sparkling 10:1 K:BB rate. There's a lot we can talk about, really. We can chat about the career high 7 strikeouts in his last start, or the second highest game score rating this season for a D-backs player, or maybe even the career high 9 groundballs that he induced in his most recent outing...
Zach Duke		Bad. I should just leave it at that, but for clarity here's a glimpse at Duke's line for his three starts in July: 15 innings, 17 hits, and 9 earned runs with a 4:5 K:BB. He's been relegated to the bullpen and has continued to struggle even in relief.

Bullpen
J.J. Putz		15-day DL retroactive to June 29 due to right elbow tendinitis. He's thrown a couple of bullpen sessions recently and pitched in a rehab game in the minors but still no timetable for a return.
David Hernandez		Hernandez keeps tallying up the saves while Putz is out and he hasn't allowed a hit since June 29 (over 7 innings pitched during that span). Yeah, 7 no-hit innings of relief.
Juan Gutierrez		15-Day DL retroactive to May 25 due to right shoulder inflammation. An MRI found rotator cuff irritation but no tears. Gutierrez had a "setback" during his rehab and has been shutdown indefinitely.
Sam Demel		Demel showed flashes of being the solid reliever we've come to know and love, and miss when he's injured, but he also showed us even larger flashes of why he's merely a middle reliever at this point - 5 hits, 3 runs, and 2 home runs in just under 4 innings.
Ryan Cook		The Bay Bears lost their closer as the D-backs called upon Cook to spark some new life into the bullpen. His major league debut came in the 10th inning of a tie game against the Brewers in which he faced four batters, failing to record a single out and even balked. When your ERA and WHIP are infinite, you probably did something wrong.
Bryan Shaw ---		Shaw allowed a hit and walk while striking out one in his first appearance back with the D-backs. Hopefully he can stick with the team this time as it seems like we're just shuffling through relievers on a weekly basis now.
Joe Paterson		Joe was roughed up a couple of times, allowing a total of 3 runs in just over 2 innings of relief. Even more unfortunate, the two appearances in which he allowed runs were both go-ahead runs for the opposing team and Paterson was ultimately tagged with his second and third losses of the season.
Esmerling Vasquez ***		Esmerling allowed 5 runs and 6 hits in his last 5.1 innings with the Aces. His ERA in Reno bumped up to 6.75 and his chances of being recalled were slimmed.
Micah Owings		Micah continues to be decent. He was brought in to pitch out of a bases loaded jam with no outs and he did just that - against the heart of the Brewers lineup no less. 4 innings of one run baseball is a good thing and Micah might soon find himself in the rotation again if Kevin Towers decides to go that route.
Alberto Castillo		Castillo, much like Brazoban, has kind of been the Sean Burroughs of the bullpen. He's just sort of there but you're not exactly sure why.
Yhency Brazoban ***		Yeah, I don't even want to get into this...

Starters
Miguel Montero		Montero is going through one of his patented streaks where it is visually evident that he's over-swinging and over-thinking. He posted a .530 OPS with only one extra-base hit and he only managed one walk in 36 at-bats. A good indicator that he's in one of those patented slumps - he has a 3:19 BB:K rate in his last 89 at-bats. Yikes.
Juan Miranda ***		Miranda just didn't impress anyone in the first half of the season. I'm guessing we'll see him again in September.
Brandon Allen		2-9 with his only two hits going out of the playing field.
Kelly Johnson		Things seem to be clearing up for Johnson... again. Yeah, it seems like I've said that a few times but Kelly is showing some promising signs. His ISO is back at where it was last season, his K% dropped and his BB% went up. All good things. His OBP is back above .300 and his OPS is slowly creeping back to the mid .750s.
Stephen Drew		Drew was slumping before killing his ankle. He's likely done for the year.
Ryan Roberts		I was relatively surprised when I pulled up the numbers to find out that Roberts has a 1.123 OPS in his last 11 games in 27 at-bats. Not only is that aesthetically pleasing, but man that's a good number. He posted a slash line of .333/.419/.704 with 3 home runs and a double.
Gerardo Parra		Parra saw some playing time cut while Gibby decided to go the platoon/split route. That being said, Parra has reverted back to his so-so offensive self. He posted a .250/.308/.417 line in his last 24 at-bats with a home run and a double.
Chris Young		More so-so offense from the outfield as Young only mustered a .700 OPS in 39 at-bats. He nabbed a stolen base but was also caught stealing while riding a 4:10 BB:K rate.
Justin Upton		Upton had fallen into an 0-20 skid before breaking out if by going 4-7 in his last two games against the Brewers.

Bench
Willie Bloomquist		Willie had an eight game hit streak snapped recently but returned to action the next day to provide the tying run via a two-run double in the 8th inning against Milwaukee. He stole a pair of bases but was also responsible for 2,451 outs on the base path so I'm not sure if they should count.
Sean Burroughs +++		0-10 in his last 10 at-bats and an equally unimpressive 7-28 in pinch-hit appearances this season.
Xavier Nady		Posted a .598 OPS in his last 8 games, 6 in which he was a starter. I'm just not seeing it KT.
Geoff Blum		Zack Morris went 1-7 with a walk and a strike out since his D-back debut. In other words, just about exactly what you had expected.
Henry Blanco		2-8 in three games. Again, almost non-existent to this team sometimes.

*** Optioned to Triple-A

+++ Outrighted to Triple-A and subsequently recalled

--- Recalled for the second time from Triple-A

^^^ Optioned to Triple-A, subsequently recalled, and optioned to Triple-A again

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Comments

WE NEED A SPARK!

Pull the trigger and get Jose Reyes! With him in the line up (even if it is short term), we will make a serious run. We need a spark badly and with Drew going down last night, why not? Trust me, the last thing I wanted to see was (and him slumping like he has) was the man to get hurt. Despite the slump, he is still the best SS in the NL, second to Reyes.

by Augdogs on Jul 21, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

I agree, we need a spark

but I’m not sure if it’s that spark. What I think needs to happen is Gibby needs to bring everyone, from Sean Burroughs and Alberto Castillo to Derrick Hall and Kevin Towers into the clubhouse, and have a come to Gibby meeting. Ever since the All-Star Break, this team has been acting like they feel completely out of the running, and Gibby needs to remind everyone that they really aren’t.

Hall and KT need to be there, so that they can be reminded not to go trading away our future in order to get a short stop to replace Drew. Is it important to make the play offs? Yes. Should we get rid of any chance we have of conistantly being in the position to make a run at the post season. No. We’ve been down that road before as a team, and it isn’t pretty. As long as we don’t get stupid, we aren’t out of this, and probably won’t be, if we ever are, until the last couple weeks of the season.

We can’t start giving up yet, especially when we’ve only lost one player. I know that he was an important piece, but there are eight other guys out there at the start of every game. They need to step it up, not get someone to replace Drew that will do it for them.

DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!

by imstillhungry95 on Jul 21, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Yessssss

a come to Gibby meeting.

122'.

by soco on Jul 21, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

If we go all in for Reyes

Probably giving up Parker and Davidson and don’t make the playoffs we look like fools.

by rfffr on Jul 21, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Reyes is not the answer.

Much more is needed.

"The kingdoms of Experience, In the precious wind they rot, While paupers change possessions, Each one wishing for what the other has got, And the princess and the prince, Discuss what's real and what is not, It doesn't matter inside the Gates of Eden." B. Dylan

by xmet on Jul 21, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

"Despite the slump, he is still the best SS in the NL, second to Reyes."

Troy Tulowitzki, Jimmy Rollins and Hanley Ramirez on line 1….

Daron "...the D. Baxter fan-club"
Mark: "A non-profit organization."

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh

I was hoping they had all been abudcted by aliens

DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!

by imstillhungry95 on Jul 21, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe they have....

TRUST NO ONE

Founder of the 'Foundation for the Advancement of Clefoing' a 501C3
"I'm like if it fits in the oven, play ball." - soco
Promised Colin Cowgill fifteen sandwiches on 7/6/2011

by Clefo on Jul 21, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Whoever they got to replace them

with the exceptinon of Hanley Ramirez have been doing pretty good jobs at making everyone believe they are the same people

DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!

by imstillhungry95 on Jul 21, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

That's what's so insidious

Founder of the 'Foundation for the Advancement of Clefoing' a 501C3
"I'm like if it fits in the oven, play ball." - soco
Promised Colin Cowgill fifteen sandwiches on 7/6/2011

by Clefo on Jul 21, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

The replacements

came from Area 51. That’s why

DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!

by imstillhungry95 on Jul 21, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

That thought crossed my mind

But it would be foolish to give up the absurd package we’d need to fork over to get Reyes for a one-year run with the roster we currently are throwing out there. If we do something like that, we’d might as well sell of everything. Pull a Milwaukee and try to deal as many prospects for as many good veterans as possible. Reyes, Beltran, Kuroda, Marquis, Isringhausen, Wood, just go get ’em all. I think then, and only then, would we be a sure-in to topple the Giants.

I’d still be opposed to this, though. :-P

Founder and Chairman of the Hire A Body Double For David Hernandez's Right Arm Commission. A non-profit organization.

by Dan Strittmatter on Jul 21, 2011 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Depressingly full of red arrows

I think this illustrates that this team’s issues are not limited to Drew’s injury, and that may not even by the most pressing one. I’d say the back of the rotation is of far more concern. But is it worth trading the farm for what may be the phantom illusion of contention in 2011? I’m saying no.

Daron "...the D. Baxter fan-club"
Mark: "A non-profit organization."

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2011 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

I say no

SS is too difficult a position to replace, so if we go after the few worth pursuing it will cost a fortune. It would be better to use those resources to shore up other parts, or being patient.

122'.

by soco on Jul 21, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

This.

Founder and Chairman of the Hire A Body Double For David Hernandez's Right Arm Commission. A non-profit organization.

by Dan Strittmatter on Jul 21, 2011 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Just curious..

Where is Abreu? I figured with the time he was up in the bigs last year, he would be lurking around as the next callup.. Did we trade him away? Or did he just… phizz of?

by ZonaBacks10 on Jul 21, 2011 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

Still in Reno

86 games, hitting .314/.358/.469 – which is mediocre in that park. His .827 OPS is 26 points below Konrad Schmidt’s.

Daron "...the D. Baxter fan-club"
Mark: "A non-profit organization."

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotcha.

Thanks for the information

by ZonaBacks10 on Jul 21, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Sucking in Reno.

Founder and Chairman of the Hire A Body Double For David Hernandez's Right Arm Commission. A non-profit organization.

by Dan Strittmatter on Jul 21, 2011 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

If we were to go searching for a SS

who would we go for?
Maicer Izturis of the Angels?
Khalil Greene maybe?

I see you driving
'round town with the girl I love
And I'm like, Haiku.

by blank_38 on Jul 21, 2011 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

wait...

can i delete this so Towers doesn’t see this and get that Greene idea?

I see you driving
'round town with the girl I love
And I'm like, Haiku.

by blank_38 on Jul 21, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

That

Is depressing.

… too soon?

Founder of the 'Foundation for the Advancement of Clefoing' a 501C3
"I'm like if it fits in the oven, play ball." - soco
Promised Colin Cowgill fifteen sandwiches on 7/6/2011

by Clefo on Jul 21, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Just a Kha-li'l bit.

::booooooooooooooooooooooooo::

Founder and Chairman of the Hire A Body Double For David Hernandez's Right Arm Commission. A non-profit organization.

by Dan Strittmatter on Jul 21, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

they need to do something soon

or this fanbase will desert them.

by Extraordinaire on Jul 21, 2011 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

I doubt that

122'.

by soco on Jul 21, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeeeaaahhh...

We’re still having a winning season, nothing to panic about yet

Founder of the 'Foundation for the Advancement of Clefoing' a 501C3
"I'm like if it fits in the oven, play ball." - soco
Promised Colin Cowgill fifteen sandwiches on 7/6/2011

by Clefo on Jul 21, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh yes

that fanbase that is coming out in droves to the games. Oh, what? You mean that on a good night we break 20,000 paying fans? They’d need to start coming to jump ship

DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!

by imstillhungry95 on Jul 21, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh

Any fanbase still around is likely to stick around for a while. A couple good months hasn’t brought back most of the people lost over a couple awful years.

"Never ignore a coincidence. Unless you're busy, in which case always ignore a coincidence."

by kishi on Jul 21, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions