The Diamondbacks’ strength in the 2017 season was their pitching, especially the depth of the rotation. All five members of the rotation put up 2.5 WAR or better (in both fWAR and bWAR) and pitched at least 150 innings on the season. In addition, they moved one of their former top prospects to the bullpen, where he shined brightly and provided one of the best single season relief efforts in Diamondbacks history; they also got the most saves from their closer since 2011. While three names pretty much wrote themselves onto this ballot, it wasn’t easy to decide the remaining names
Archie Bradley
Bradley played the entire season in the bullpen, but dominated there from the get-go. Bradley posted a 1.73 ERA over 73 innings as the bridge to Fernando Rodney, compiling 3.7 bWAR which is insane for a reliever who doesn’t have video game like stuff (he comes close). Bradley’s emergence in the bullpen gave the Diamondbacks a reliable bridge option from the starter to the closer although the bridge between the starter and him was shaky overall. Bradley finished tied for 7th in MLB in holds (25) and allowed only 22% of inherited runners to score over the season. Rarely does a reliever, especially a non-closer, deserve an honorable mention at the least but Bradley’s season was that exceptional.
Zack Godley
As we discussed last week, Godley was perhaps the most pleasant surprise for 2016, going from 40-man roster fodder to big time contributor for the Diamondbacks. Godley started the year in AAA, but an injury in the rotation to Shelby Miller opened the door for an opportunity and he took it and sprinted with it. The combination of the ability to miss bats (26.3 K%) and generate ground ball contact (55.2 GB%) makes for a tough opponent to score on, generating comparisons to former Dbacks ace Brandon Webb. In 155 innings, Godley produced 4.4 bWAR while pitching to a 3.37 ERA in his first extended look in the majors.
Zack Greinke
Greinke bounced back in 2017 after a rough 2016 where injuries and expectations really crushed him and the team. Greinke posted a 3.20 ERA and 6.0 bWAR over 202 1⁄3 for the Diamondbacks, anchoring the rotation at the top. Greinke was the only starter to put up 200 innings for the team, which is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Greinke was especially good after losses, which is why the Diamondbacks were able to avoid long losing streaks over the season. When Greinke was on, very often we were able to watch an artist at work as Greinke’s pinpoint fastball command and sequencing embarrassed hitters.
Robbie Ray
Potential finally started turning into results as Ray’s breakout season finally happened for the Diamondbacks. Ray pitched 162 innings for the Diamondbacks, posting a 2.74 ERA and recording his 2nd 200-strikeout season in a row, producing 5.0 bWAR on the mound. A head injury almost ended his season early, but the way he bounced back from that injury with arguably the best 5-start run of his career was enough to convince me that he will be the rock of the rotation for the years to come and potentially the face of the franchise after Goldschmidt. Greinke was the ace at the top, but the Ray’s development gives the team a budding ace that should take mantle sooner if not later.
Fernando Rodney
The Fernando Rodney experience was a wild affair in 2017, swinging from the infuriating to the awe-inspiring. Rodney picked up the win on Opening Day, despite allowing the go-ahead run in the ninth, and ended April with a 12.60 ERA. But then for two months he was, almost literally, unhittable - over 20 games from May 2-July 1, he gave up two hits over 19.1 innings, and no earned runs. That was the Rodney way: when he was great, he was unstoppable, and it’s fair to say that, in the end, this was the case for most of the time. More than two-thirds (18 of 26) of the earned runs he allowed, came in less than 5% (2.1 of 55.1) of Rodney’s innings. He entered the all-time top 30 for career saves, notching #300 with his final one of the regular season.
Poll
Who was the best pitcher for the Diamondbacks?
This poll is closed
-
14%
Archie Bradley
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2%
Zack Godley
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26%
Zack Greinke
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55%
Robbie Ray
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1%
Fernando Rodney