Snake Bytes: 11/16 - What Do We Want?

Diamondbacks news

[Arizona Sports] D-backs’ current roster ranks No. 22 in latest WAR rankings

In the NL West, the D-backs hit the middle of the rankings, with the Giants falling in at No. 24 and the Rockies ranking dead last among the 30 teams. So what does this mean for the D-backs? No answer on that question on Arizona Sports, but we can give one here: it means we suck and will continue to do so in 2021. But number 22 means there are 8 teams below the Diamondbacks, right? Hurrah!

[Independent Leagues] Arizona Diamondbacks Re-Sign CEL RHP Jayson McKinley

The Arizona Diamondbacks have re-signed former Constellation Energy League right-hander Jayson McKinley. McKinley, 26, became the second former Constellation Energy League player in the last week to re-sign with the Diamondbacks, joining fellow right-hander Kevin McCanna.

The Tampa Bay Rays signed McKinley in 2016 after a four-year career at Lamar and he then went on to join the Diamondbacks in 2018, reaching the Double-A level in 2019. He’s gone 21-8 with a 3.39 ERA and 10 saves in 88 games (17 starts) at the affiliated minor league level.

[FanGraphs] Sunday Notes: Torey Lovullo Revisits His Greatest Hits (and a Damaged Axle)

Lovullo didn’t have a lot of game-changing hits over the course of his career. The Arizona Diamondbacks manager finished his playing days with just 60 RBIs in parts of eight big-league seasons as a utility infielder. But he did have a handful of memorable knocks. Read and understand why he has faith in players you should not have faith in.

[Locked on Diamondbacks] Interview with Pavin Smith

The Locked On Diamondbacks podcast published two episodes of a chit chat with Pavin Smith last week. Listen to his takes on his debut, being drafted, pitching or hitting, and some other small talk.

Around the MLB

[SB Nation] Giants sign RHP Silvino Bracho to Minor League deal

From unsung hero candidate on the AZ SnakePit to 0 comments on McCovey Chronicles. They need a SfGiantfaninDcOrSomewhereElse on there.

[AZ Central] Should Trevor Bauer win the Cy Young, it would trigger regret for D-Backs fans

We had Bauer, took Gregorius, ended up with Ray and now have Bergen. We very happy fans.

[NY Post] Bidding at Johnny Bench auction ends at just under $2M

Personal memorabilia from the career of Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench was auctioned for just under $2 million. Bench plans to use the auction proceeds to fund his youngest children’s college educations. “The memories are still there. I still am the MVP,” Bench told the AP. “I’m blessed with what I’ve got and I’m enjoying my life.”

Across the Pacific

[Japan] FTC scolds NPB over ‘Tazawa rule’ used to keep players in Japan

The Tazawa rule was an unwritten rule agreed to in 2008 by the 12 Japanese NPB teams, after Junichi Tazawa refused to sign with the team that drafted him and instead followed his dreams of playing in the major leagues. Under the provision, the 12 NPB teams agreed they would not sign players returning from the major leagues if they had previously rejected draft offers by the Japanese teams. In effect, a Japanese player that would go overseas would not be able to play pro ball in Japan ever again. The heavily criticized rule was rescinded this September and as such no disciplinary measures were imposed by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission.

[Japan] Hawks rally past Marines, advance to Japan Series

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks beat the Lotte Marines in two games in a best-of-five (as pennant holders they held a 1-0 advantage) and will face the Central League-winning Yomiuri Giants in a rematch of last season starting on Saturday aiming to win the Japan Series for the fourth year in a row.

[Australia] Auckland Tuatara pull out of season

Baseball Australia was unpleasantly informed by the Auckland Tuatara that the team from New Zealand will not play ABL this 2020/21 season because of health and economic concerns, to which the ABL responded by “Auckland mismanagement” and “the ability for Auckland to compete in future seasons is now in serious doubt”. The absence of Auckland will make for a 6 team ABL this season since the Geelong-Korea team that consists mainly of Korean players pulled out because of “insurmountable” logistical and quarantine challenges.

Across the Atlantic

[Serbia] Beograd 96 wins Serbian Baseball League

Novi Sad was sad because it was beaten by Beograd. Pure poetry.

[Egypt] Egyptian baseball development group wins Leaders Sports Community Award

Egyptian community project Because Baseball has been named the winner of the 2020 Leaders Sports Community Award. A concept from Leaders, which champions excellence across international sport, the Leaders Sports Awards search for and recognise companies and individuals shaping the future of sport. Egypt + baseball = nice pic.

Across The Wall

[Dominican Republic] The ‘Toros del Este’ welcome Almonte and Mella

Former Diamondback outfielder Abraham Almonte and current D-Backs reliever Keury Mella joined the Bulls right before the opening match scheduled against the Estrellas. MLB pipeline #41 and Rays prospect Vidal Bruján also joined the Dominican team. Yankees pitcher Domingo German will start their opening game. Meanwhile, MLB free agent and former Red Sox and 2020 Indians catcher Sandy Leon joined the ranks of Licey.

[Dominican Republic] The Licey destroys the Chosen One with heavy artillery

LIDOM opened its season this weekend and Google Translate provides us with the best headline translation ever seen on the Internet.

[Nicaragua] WBSC to live-stream Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League games on GameTime OTT platform

The World Baseball Softball Confederation announced that its OTT platform GameTime.sport has been awarded international broadcast and digital rights for the 2020-2021 season of the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League (LBPN).

So bring out the beer and popcorn to watch Nicaraguan baseball with players like Bismarck, Nixson, Wuillians, Wiston, Freddman or Freddvil while the reincarnated Lenin tries to ride the Tren del Norte (North Train) to a championship. We know you people are waiting for this, so here is the link to the channel.

Your random Diamondback

Young reflects on first MLB home run retrieved by former teammate Strahm as ‘lifelong’ dreams come true

The Arizona Diamondbacks rookie infielder belted this August a 419-foot bomb that sailed over the fence in left-center field and into the San Diego Padres’ bullpen at Petco Park. The ball landed in front of Matt Strahm, Young’s former teammate, who held onto it. Nothing was going to stop Strahm from giving Young his first MLB home run ball, but only Jeff Young, Andy’s dad, knew that at the time. Strahm, a pitcher for San Diego, is a 2010 West Fargo High School graduate. Young graduated from West Fargo in 2012. “It was really special. We’ve had a chance to follow Matt and pull for him for a lot of years, and it was neat to see him doing the same for Andy,” Jeff said. “He was sincerely excited.”

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