AZ Snake Pit - 2021 Diamondbacks Player ReviewsAn unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2022-01-12T15:00:00-05:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/225286282022-01-12T15:00:00-05:002022-01-12T15:00:00-05:002021 Arizona Diamondbacks Player Reviews #1: Ketel Marte
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<img alt="Ketel Marte tosses his bat after hitting a home run against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0mdQSsXK_U1gClRwcyjHDBt1qWI=/0x54:3987x2712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70380149/1344677917.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Despite not winning the MVP in the Pitties, Ketel Marte is your #1 player on the Diamondbacks</p> <p id="0zAXqN"><strong>Rating: 7.64</strong></p>
<p id="BTY98f"><strong>Age: Turned 28 hortly after the end of the season</strong></p>
<p id="5RAsx2"><strong>2021 Stats: .318/.377/.532, 143 OPS+</strong></p>
<p id="8qn2Bg"><strong>2021 Earnings: $6 Million</strong></p>
<p id="HO1m7R"><strong>2022 Status: Under contract for three more seasons, one of the hottest commodities on the trade market (pending end of lockout)</strong></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="lrCkbD">
<p id="rP0AHI">I still have access to the spreadsheets for these rankings going back to 2017. In those five years, the number one player has only been rated lower than 9 once, and that was David Peralta’s 8.98 back in 2018. I think it’s a combination of poor and shortened individual performances, as well as general apathy from the fanbase following a dismal season. Either way, Ketel Marte took home the top spot in our 2021 Rankings.</p>
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<p id="PCtAIv">In 2019, Ketel Marte had a breakout season, hitting career highs in almost every category, finding his power, and finishing fourth in MVP voting. 2020 saw a big step back, with the power almost completely drying up, with only two home runs in 45 games. Like so many other players, he was looking to bounce back in 2021 and resume the career trajectory that it appeared he was on before the pandemic.</p>
<p id="f4wtdU">It looked like he was well on his way to start the season. He matched his 2020 home run totals in the first two games of the season, and after six games, was slashing .522/.560/.957. However, the seventh game of the season ended early for Marte, when he left the game in the sixth inning with a hamstring strain, an issue that would plague him for most of the season.</p>
<p id="STQBP9">He was on the injured list for over a month, not returning until May 19th. He came back to a team that was eight games under .500 and was mired in what would be come a 13 game losing streak and what would become the league’s longest road losing streak. The remainder of May was not kind to him. He hit .244 for the month, and the power that seemed to be back was gone again, hitting just one home run in the month. </p>
<p id="DVUZCo">June saw his average and OBP rebound. Some of the power returned too, with him collecting eight doubles over the course of the month. The home runs still weren’t there, though. He only hit one during the month, looking more like what he was doing in 2020 than the first week. However, he did continue to hit the ball, just not over the fence, having an eight game hitting streak on June 26th, and a batting average for the season of .370. </p>
<p id="vC1nSd">His hamstring issue from May cropped back up at the end of the month, sending him back to the IL for the entire month of July. Once he returned on August 1st, he was an every day player for the rest of the season, and the hamstring seemed to be fully healed. The average went down, but over the 53 games he played in the rest of the way, he found his power again. 10 home runs, 16 doubles, and a triple was a better stretch than he had managed since 2019. The average went down a bit, but he still finished the season over .300, the only Diamondback player to do so by a large margin.</p>
<p id="AeppUk">At the end of the day, he was easily the best hitter on the team this season. He was far an away the when it came to the rate statistics. His triple slash line was better than everyone, and despite missing over 70 games, he was near the top for all of the accumulation stats as well. He was top five in hits, runs, and RBI, while only Eduardo Escobar had more home runs than him. Much like his rating however, one has to ask if that was because of his accomplishments were better than everyone else, or if everyone else’s were worse than his.</p>
<h3 id="PGA3Rl"><strong>2022 outlook</strong></h3>
<p id="b2HUEY">If you Google Ketel Marte’s name, nearly every result that comes up are articles discussing how he is such a great fit for other teams. You’ll see the Marlins, Yankees, White Sox, Angels... basically articles talking about how great a fit he is for every team except the Diamondbacks. On a team that is clearly in the middle of a rebuild, whether they want to admit it or not, Marte is far and away the most valuable trade piece the Diamondbacks have. The question becomes if anyone will meet the price.</p>
<p id="MlcBpW">If he does, it seems that that it will be as the Diamondback’s second baseman. After spending the first 70-odd games in CF, Marte and Lovullo had a conversation that ended with Marte spending 14 of his final 15 starts in the infield. Hazen also implied that Marte would be a single position player, presumably at second. </p>
<p id="gKWV6M">Whether he’ll take the field for the Diamondbacks or for any of the multitude of other teams that are interested won’t be known until after the lock out is resolved, and perhaps not immediately then. Either way, Ketel Marte looks like he’ll be a mid-to-upper tier baseball player for a long time to come.</p>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/1/12/22875600/2021-arizona-diamondbacks-player-reviews-1-ketel-marteImstillhungry952022-01-11T15:00:00-05:002022-01-11T15:00:00-05:002021 Arizona Diamondbacks Reviews, #2: Daulton Varsho
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lLiOP1Z-FFJmRooz4h8txNu0mmo=/0x0:3114x2076/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70375662/usa_today_16850664.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A tremendous athlete at just 25 years of age who can play both behind home plate and in the outfield takes the #2 spot in 2021 Arizona Diamondbacks player rankings.</p> <ul>
<li id="ojoiHn">
<strong>Rating</strong>: 7.36</li>
<li id="c5hGcD">
<strong>Age</strong>: 25</li>
<li id="XbtNib">
<strong>2021 Stats</strong>: .246/.318/.437, 11 HR, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 6 stolen bases, 102 OPS+, 1.7 bWAR</li>
<li id="HiHpIu">
<strong>2021 Earnings</strong>: league minimum</li>
<li id="DQKsSW">
<strong>2022 Status</strong>: Likely starter in the outfield with spot starts at catcher, pre-arbitration until 2024</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="0MOivz">
<p id="By0nDE">With nothing left to prove in the minor leagues, Daulton Varsho needed to make the transition to an everyday MLB player in 2021 or risk being forgotten as another AAAA player. He did just that cementing himself as a building block of the future for the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> in the 2021 season although he did get off to a slow start. Arizona did not call him up to the MLB roster until April 28th, and questions remained whether he would see the bulk of his playing time in the outfield or behind the dish. The Diamondbacks had Carson Kelly and Stephen Vogt at catcher already, and there was a greater need in the outfield with injuries to Ketel Marte and Kole Calhoun. Because of that, Varsho did not begin appearing behind the plate consistently until Carson Kelly Fractured his toe on May 15th.</p>
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<p id="DPnOeI">His performance with the bat was disappointing in May with an OPS of .430. With the team as a whole going nowhere fast, Arizona sent Varsho back down to AAA to regain his confidence. He returned on June 20th and the results were actually worse, but something clicked for him when the calendar month flipped to July and his results at the plate improved dramatically through August. He swatted 9 of his 11 home runs in those months and saw his OPS improve from .437 to .763, exactly the type of improvement you want to see from a young player.</p>
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<p id="PzQKmv">Varsho’s results improved in the field as well. As he rose through the minor leagues, questions persisted as to whether he would be able to remain behind the plate as a catcher, or if he would need to transition to the outfield full time. The fact that he could be considered to even play both positions speaks to his raw athleticism. As a catcher, only J.T. Realmuto had a better sprint speed than Varsho’s 28.4 ft/s which placed him in the 84th percentile for all MLB players. Early on in the season, it was easy to see why the team was unsure if he could remain behind the plate at catcher. He struggled a bit at times with throwing out base stealers because of the inaccuracy of his throws, but that too improved as the season pressed on.</p>
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<div id="PndzvC"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/varsho-s-2nd-half-highlights" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
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<h2 id="wEMdrG">2022 Outlook</h2>
<p id="W4jwp2">Now that he has confidently asserted that he is capable of being successful against MLB pitching, the only question that still remains is where he will spend most of his innings defensively. Carson Kelly is clearly the Arizona Diamondbacks starting catcher, so expect Daulton to continue to see spot starts behind the dish. Varsho’s most likely path to an everyday starting role is in one of the outfield positions to which he demonstrated that he can handle without issue. </p>
<p id="fdv9Hp"></p>
<p id="KjKYK5">The key to ensure his continued success and development is to provide him with consistent MLB playing time, which he has earned, and communicate with him clearly where he will be playing. Torey Lovullo and the coaching staff must remember that he is still very young, he won’t turn 26 until July, which means that his development can be hindered if he is not provided consistent playing opportunities or has to guess which position he is going to play everyday. The Diamondbacks will probably have another poor record in the 2022 season, whatever that may look like, barring a miraculous turnaround. Because of that, it would be in their best interest to give Varsho the breathing room he needs to continue his development at the MLB level. Put bluntly, he is one of the lone bright spots in an organization that is searching for its future contributors.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/1/11/22874983/2021-arizona-diamondbacks-reviews-2-daulton-varsho-catcher-outfieldKeegan Thompson2022-01-10T15:00:00-05:002022-01-10T15:00:00-05:002021 Diamondbacks Reviews # 3 : Josh Rojas
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<img alt="Josh Rojas nearly floats toward first base." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/w-G55O5iWbc4QCGey884tWKOBGI=/0x0:5100x3400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70371057/1345225509.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Josh Rojas nearly floats toward first base. | Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>He often got on base and played 5 positions. This season’s unsung hero will be in peak condition next season. </em></p> <ul>
<li id="8ZLpRA">
<strong>Rating:</strong> 7.11</li>
<li id="KGBOhj">
<strong>Age:</strong> 27</li>
<li id="TIfgu2"><strong>2021 Offense Stats: 550 PA, .264/.341/.411 = .752 OPS, 11 HR, 44 RBI. </strong></li>
<li id="1XHQR3"><strong>2021 More Stats: 139 games, 103 OPS+, 102 wRC+, 0.8 bWAR, 2.0 fWAR.</strong></li>
<li id="roCDfE">
<strong>2021 Defense Stats: RF +2 DRS in 247.2 Inn, LF +0 DRS in 91.2 Inn, </strong>3B -2 DRS in 66 Inn, 2B -4 DRS in 356 Inn, SS -13 DRS in 66 Inn. <strong> </strong>
</li>
<li id="oqD6Rr">
<strong>2021 Earnings:</strong> $582,400 (via Spotrac).</li>
<li id="LZ7ObR">
<strong>2022 Status:</strong> Pre-Arb, 2 options remain.</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="g3M0Pj">
<h2 id="bVmrNy"><strong>Introduction:</strong></h2>
<blockquote><p id="XSJcbq"><em><strong>Scouting Report, August 2019. </strong></em>”Rojas is just an average defensive player but can play every position on the field. He is a contact hitter who is very hard to strikeout. He projects as a very versatile utilityman.” — Jared Cantatore</p></blockquote>
<p id="aD03Xb"><em><strong>In the offseason, Josh Rojas improved his exercise and sleeping.</strong></em> Technology enhanced his efforts when he started wearing a WHOOP strap. The strap has sensors that measure heart rate, breathing rate, skin conductance & temperature, and blood oxygenation. Its’ accelerometer & gyro differentiate between types of movements/exercises. The user links it to their phone, and the phone app provides information about exercise strain/recovery and quality of sleep. </p>
<p id="nJ482t"><em><strong>His spring training was awesome.</strong></em> This was welcome after his disappointing 2020 spring training and summer camp. </p>
<blockquote><p id="644FVd">“Among all qualified major leaguers this spring, Rojas ranks first in hits (16), fourth in total bases reached (27), fourth in batting average (.381), sixth in OPS (1.078), and eighth in slugging percentage and OBP (.643 and .435).” — Henry Schleizer</p></blockquote>
<p id="0FmxE6"><em><strong>He plays mind games with opposing pitchers.</strong></em> One weapon is body language deception about his comfort at the plate and his ability to see every pitch. Another weapon is faux rage, when underneath he is manipulating the pitcher into the pitch he wants to hit.</p>
<blockquote><p id="wbqiIZ">“You can talk guys into fear, talk guys into overthinking things.” — Josh Rojas</p></blockquote>
<h2 id="BiBAqM"><strong>OBwooge is a new statistic.</strong></h2>
<p id="VoGV3b">People who look deeper into baseball sometimes create new statistics. I created a stat for a good reason. It shows Rojas ranked as one of the best batters in the Majors. More on that later. First, let’s look at a definition of OBwooge.</p>
<p id="axInAs"><strong>OBwooge </strong>is an acronym standing for <strong>O</strong>n <strong>B</strong>ase <strong>w</strong>hen <strong>o</strong>ften with an <strong>o</strong>ps+ <strong>g</strong>ood <strong>e</strong>nough. ‘When often’ means the player had at least 500 PAs for the season. ‘OPS+ good enough’ means OPS+ is at least 100. OBwooge was simple to calculate:</p>
<p id="l2qalC"><em>OBwooge = (hits plus walks minus homers) multiplied by (600/PAs). </em></p>
<h2 id="43AHkt"><strong>2021 Review:</strong></h2>
<p id="1fsHQJ"><em><strong>He got on base.</strong></em> Getting on base was Rojas’ greatest strength. In 2021, Josh Rojas ranked 19<sup>nd</sup> best in the Majors in OBwooge. In 2021, Josh Rojas’s OBwooge of 190.9 was better than Paul Goldschmidt’s OBwooge of 188.2. </p>
<p id="u90ckh">He had a great July. His OBwooge of 260.9 ranked the second best in the Majors behind Brandon Crawford’s 285.2. </p>
<p id="7h07DZ">From August through September/October, his OBwooge was 180.3. Likely it would have been higher except for injury. </p>
<blockquote><p id="bwnPwz"><em><strong>He played through injury. </strong></em>“While it was a dislocated finger which led to Josh spending time on the Injured List from July 24 until August 10, it was the player’s left shoulder which proved to be more of a nagging concern. He had been “bothered” by it through much of the season, and in early November, underwent surgery to clean up the AC joint, a similar procedure to the one David Peralta had in 2019.” — Jim McLennan</p></blockquote>
<p id="xpQ3IU">In 2021 he led the Diamondbacks with his 27.6 line drive percentage per Baseball Reference (minimum 60 PAs). From 17 July to 3 October, his line drives per AB ranked 68th highest in the Majors. His hit percent for line drives was consistent to all fields (64% pulled, 63% center, and 67% opposite). </p>
<p id="Sl8dRy">Although his greatest strength was getting on base, this season he hit more homers per PA than 2019 (.020 vs .013). His rate of homers approached the Diamondback average of .023 homers per PA.</p>
<p id="wvoCdO"><em><strong>He played 5 defensive positions. </strong></em> His defensive flexibility was valuable because the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> experienced significant injuries. However, his Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) was positive only for left field and right field. Next season, despite being a left handed batter, his best fit is in the outfield corners. Jack Sommers summarized the situation well in the following AZ Snake Pit comment:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="QtKqHy">“Bottom line: Much like with Pavin Smith, and of course Ketel Marte, playing Rojas out of position much of the year detracted from his personal overall value and ultimately I believe the performance of the team as a whole.</p>
<p id="6UC7so">If Smith plays every day at first base, and Rojas plays every day in right field, not only will their personal value stat lines look better, but the team will get better results overall. It’s great to have a swiss army knife, but if that knife is too dull you’ll just make a mess of things. The Dbacks can sharpen their knives in 2022 by playing guys in the correct position. I think we can all agree on this.” — Jack Sommers</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="7rwkYR">Playing multiple positions added pregame preparation work for Josh Rojas. In the context of his injuries, that extra work may have been significant, as Jim McLennan pointed out in December. </p>
<p id="cue9A5"><em><strong>The AZ Snake Pit voted Josh Rojas the Unsung Hero of the season.</strong></em></p>
<p id="0IjZhD">Even without considering that his OBwooge ranked very high in the Majors, beyond playing with a bothersome shoulder, there were many reasons that Josh Rojas was the Unsung Hero of the season. Chuck Johnson summarized it very well with his nomination of Josh Rojas. </p>
<blockquote><p id="wpinhe">“I’m going with Josh Rojas. He said in spring training that he knew he belonged in the majors and given the chance to play he would prove it and he did. 139 games, starts at five different positions, had at least one appearance at every spot in the batting order except 9th, led the team in PA’s, runs, doubles, stolen bases, walks (and to be fair, strikeouts) and had the highest OPS of anyone with more than 100 games played.” — Chuck Johnson</p></blockquote>
<p id="NesfVa">Jim McLennan announced the winner and included the following commentary: </p>
<blockquote><p id="VhjdCM">“The award therefore goes to Rojas, who went from occasional utility guy to lead the team in plate appearances at the age of 27. That included starting games at five different positions: second base, third base, shortstop and both corner outfield positions, showing a degree of versatility that was very helpful. His 103 OPS+ represented a breakthrough at the plate (his career MLB figure prior to that was just 51, albeit over only 227 PA), and was the best by any Diamondback hitter in 2021 with enough PA to qualify.” — Jim McLennan</p></blockquote>
<p id="7JtkJQ">For details see this <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/12/20/22846383/unsung-hero-of-the-year-josh-rojas">AZ Snake Pit article</a>. </p>
<h2 id="9G4CMe"><strong>2022 Outlook:</strong></h2>
<p id="yZaPyk">The ZiPS projection (published November 23rd) for 2022 was an OPS 721, OPS+ of 91, and fWAR of 1.5. Those stats are much lower than 2021. My view is that instead of getting worse, Josh Rojas’ stats will improve for two reasons. Next season his shoulder will no longer bother him. He uses technology to keep himself in peak condition. </p>
<p id="GCpgSd"><em><strong>Summary. </strong></em><em>Three takeaway points:</em></p>
<ul>
<li id="5aypqI">His biggest strength is getting on base. His line drives per AB and his OBwooge ranked very high in the Majors.</li>
<li id="80L4E5">Another strength is his versatility to play multiple positions. Nevertheless, the team’s defense would be better served by playing him in the corner outfield positions.</li>
<li id="7P00FU">This season he was the unsung hero. Next season I’m confident he will be in peak condition. For those two reasons he will likely exceed the early ZiPS projection.</li>
</ul>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/1/10/22855175/2021-diamondbacks-reviews-3-josh-rojasMakakilo2022-01-10T09:00:00-05:002022-01-10T09:00:00-05:002021 Diamondbacks Reviews: #4 RHP Merrill Kelly
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IbrbHg3Ae_PypIuB5gc_Cc1-bP8=/0x0:4163x2775/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70369260/usa_today_16854703.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In a year where the rotation completely fell apart, Merrill Kelly’s consistency stood out.</p> <p id="0zAXqN"><strong>Rating: </strong>6.72</p>
<p id="BTY98f"><strong>Age: </strong>32 for most of the season</p>
<p id="5RAsx2"><strong>2021 Stats: </strong>27 GS, 7-11, 4.44 ERA, 158 IP, 130 K, 41 BB, 1.291 WHIP, 2.3 bWAR</p>
<p id="8qn2Bg"><strong>2021 Earnings: </strong>$4.25MM</p>
<p id="yzM4Tg"><strong>2022 Status: </strong>$5.25MM club option exercised</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="7smKlS">
<p id="lwEZVW">One of Mike Hazen’s best free agent signings with Arizona belongs to Merrill Kelly. After growing up in Scottsdale and playing his college baseball at nearby Arizona State, Kelly had a weird path to the majors that included a 3-year stop in Korea. After the 2018 season, Kelly signed a 3-year/$9.25MM deal with his hometown team. After a successful rookie year at the Age of 30 that included making 32 starts and putting up a respectable 0.9 WAR season, he had a great start to 2020 that was cut short due to a blood clot in his shoulder that developed as a result of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. With no record of a pitcher successfully recovering to that injury, there definitely was some concern. </p>
<p id="qtHH31">However at the cost of simply $4.25MM, which is pennies for a reliable #4 starter, it was a no-brainer to keep him around. Kelly recovered nicely, suffering no injuries and only missing 5 starts due to contracting COVID in August. In a year where Zac Gallen regressed, Madison Bumgarner continued to look toast, and the other two rotation spots being a carousel, Kelly’s consistency was a huge boost to the team. That type of consistency is something we all appreciated, as Kelly was voted as the best pitcher and Most Valuable Player by Snake Pit readers. </p>
<p id="PwLS2M">I’m not sure how many more years Kelly has left in terms of being a reliable innings eater, so I see 2022 being his last year with Arizona before hitting free agency. When he’s on, he fills up the strike zone heavily and is able to limit the most damaging type of contact. In 2021, Kelly ranked in the 72nd percentile amongst MLB pitchers in barrel rate, even if he isn’t great at forcing weak contact. He has improved on limiting the type of contact over his time in MLB, seeing his hard hit (95+ MPH exit velocity) rate drop under 40% and a 1% drop in walk rate to 6%. The culmination of improvements in both areas saw his xERA, which is based off his exit velocity data, dropped by nearly a full run from 5.45 to 4.51.</p>
<p id="RT5XMi">If the team can get another year like 2021 out of Kelly, I consider the whole signing to be a massive success as the team was able to get 3 years of #4 starter production out of him. One thing to be monitoring will be his ability to prevent barrel contact and limiting the walk rate to his 2021 levels to offset the fact he doesn’t miss many bats. He is also a potential trade target for teams looking to pick up a starter at the trade deadline should the Diamondbacks be right around 2022 expectations and on pace for 60-70 wins. </p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/1/10/22875498/2021-diamondbacks-reviews-4-rhp-merrill-kellyMichael McDermott2022-01-08T15:10:10-05:002022-01-08T15:10:10-05:002021 Diamondbacks Reviews: #5 3B Eduardo Escobar
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<img alt="MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YntRrtGNSrrDkDtUygfjjf85QuY=/0x56:3437x2347/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70364218/usa_today_16425416.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Escobar bounced back nicely in 2021, but also saw his tenure with the Diamondbacks end in July.</p> <p id="0zAXqN"><strong>Rating: </strong>6.58</p>
<p id="BTY98f"><strong>Age: </strong>32</p>
<p id="5RAsx2"><strong>2021 Stats: </strong>98 G, 400 PA, .246/.300/.478 (103 wRC+), 14 2B, 3 3B, 22 HR, 65 RBI, 2.1 bWAR with Arizona</p>
<p id="8qn2Bg"><strong>2021 Earnings: </strong>$7.666MM (final year of a 3-year, $21MM extension signed in 2018)</p>
<p id="HO1m7R"><strong>2022 Status: </strong>Signed a 2-year, $20MM deal with the New York Mets</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="8Afkkq">
<p id="0ivsyw">The Diamondbacks originally traded for Eduardo Escobar in July 2018 trying to make a run at the NL West division title. What was originally a rental deal ultimately turned into a 3-year stay in Arizona when Escobar signed a three year extension on the eve of free agency. He immediately awarded the Diamondbacks with a big year in 2019, putting up a .269/.320/.511 35 homerun season at the plate. That season alone paid for the $21MM extension he signed, but there were still two more years to go. A health scare in the offseason and showing up to the restart put Escobar out of baseball shape and he struggled to find his swing for much of the 2020 season. Escobar put up a putrid 55 wRC+ with the team, but that certainly also a good reflection of his actual skill level as a hitter.</p>
<p id="31bPrf">Heading into the 2021 season as a contract year, Escobar showed up to camp 20 pounds lighter and more nimble, anticipating he’d have to play a lot of 2B as well as his natural 3B spot. After a slow first week, Escobar took off in the series against the Cincinnati Reds and never looked back. In fact, Escobar would lead the team in home runs (22) and RBI (65) despite the fact his last game with the team was in July. In total, Escobar’s contributions over 400 plate appearances resulted in a 103 wRC+ and a 2.1 bWAR season with the D-backs. With the team out of contention rather early, the team looked to trade off expiring deals like Escobar’s. He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, for catcher prospect Cooper Hummel (on the 40-man roster) and lottery ticket infielder Alberto Ciprian. </p>
<p id="nDT0Nk">With time to reflect on the trade, no doubt the Escobar pick up and extension was one of Mike Hazen’s best deals. Jhoan Duran is the only player the team gave up in the deal that still holds value to the Twins’ future plans while Escobar contributed 5.6 bWAR over 364 games with Arizona. While the initial deal was for a rental player, getting three more years of value out of Escobar was significant for the D-backs as he’s cashed in with the free-spending Mets. If I were to guess how Escobar would potentially do in New York, I’m just glad the D-backs didn’t just pay a soon to be 33-year-old infielder $20MM. One thing I will say is that the D-backs will certainly miss Eduardo’s cheerful personality in the clubhouse next year. At the minimum, the fans should give Escobar a nice cheer when he returns to Chase Field next season.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/1/8/22873748/2021-diamondbacks-reviews-5-3b-eduardo-escobarMichael McDermott2022-01-07T15:00:00-05:002022-01-07T15:00:00-05:002021 Diamondbacks Reviews: #6 Catcher Carson Kelly
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<img alt="MLB: Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2htd26mJ00AM1QAXZmfo8dtKy8s=/0x0:5236x3491/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70360754/usa_today_16880319.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Injuries derailed a breakout season for the Diamondbacks backstop</p> <p id="0zAXqN"><strong>Rating: 6.56</strong></p>
<p id="BTY98f"><strong>Age: 27</strong></p>
<p id="5RAsx2"><strong>2021 Stats: 98G, 359 PA, .240/.343/.411. 104 OPS+, 2.1 bWAR, 1.7 fWAR</strong></p>
<p id="8qn2Bg"><strong>2021 Earnings: $1,700,000 </strong></p>
<p id="HO1m7R"><strong>2022 Status : Arbitration eligible, year 2 of 4. Est. between $2.7M to $3.0M</strong></p>
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<h3 id="o4rf8O"><strong>Introduction</strong></h3>
<p id="dmEu71">Most readers are familiar with Carson Kelly’s story. Taken by the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, he started his career as a thirdbaseman. Converted to catcher in 2014 he advanced quickly and made it to the major in 2016. However blocked behind future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina, he received only sporadic opportunity between 2016-18. The Cardinals included Kelly (along with Luke Weaver and Andy Young) in the trade that sent Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis.</p>
<p id="AawTZV">Kelly’s first season with Arizona was a success. After a slow start he heated up mid season, while playing good defense throughout. He posted a 112 OPS+ and 1.7 bWAR while also throwing out a respectable 15 of 47 base stealers (32%). His one weakness was hitting right handed pitching, he crushed lefties, but righties we able to contain him. <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/dMBj3">2019 Splits</a> </p>
<p id="MmMQ5i">He had a very slow start to the 2020 pandemic shortened season. But he recovered somewhat over the last few weeks , and oddly enough had a <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/dEeJp">reverse split</a> for the year hitting righties well but lefties poorly. Small sample size to be sure, but improvement vs. RHP was encouraging. Still, he finished with just a .221 B.A., 5 homers, a lowly 73 OPS+ and -0.3 WAR. Even his throwing took a big step back, as he caught 3 of 22 base stealers, 14%.</p>
<h3 id="VoZahZ"><strong>2021</strong></h3>
<p id="Ibj8b3">Kelly worked on his both his mental approach and simplified swing mechanics during the off season and throughout spring training. The change focused around reducing his leg kick so he was not swinging uphill so much. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F2449489%2F2021%2F03%2F15%2Fdiamondbacks-carson-kelly-rebuilt-swing%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.azsnakepit.com%2F2022%2F1%2F7%2F22863747%2F2021-diamondbacks-reviews-6-catcher-carson-kelly" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Zach Buchanan wrote an extensive article</a> about it March. As the season began, it all was working. Kelly got out of the gate fast, collecting 5 hits in his first 8 at bats, he was batting .440 through April 15th. He continued his hot hitting through the end of April and into May, stroking over a 1.000 OPS . <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.azcentral.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2Fdiamondbacks%2F2021%2F04%2F23%2Fdiamondbacks-win-streak-broken-atlanta-loss-braves%2F7360413002%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.azsnakepit.com%2F2022%2F1%2F7%2F22863747%2F2021-diamondbacks-reviews-6-catcher-carson-kelly" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> Wrote Nick Piecoro on April 23rd:</a></p>
<p id="5hxHKY"><em>For Carson Kelly, a bad at-bat is not a referendum on his approach. A swing-and-miss does not call for a deep dive into his mechanics. A hitless night is not cause to start searching for answers.</em></p>
<p id="GwDp0Y"><em>Kelly rebuilt his swing in the offseason. The </em><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/"><em>Diamondbacks</em></a><em>’ catcher made it simpler, more repeatable. He turned it into something he trusts — something he no longer questions when things do not go according to plan.</em></p>
<p id="nnbRqW">Indeed, through May 13th Kelly was hitting .338/.491/.613. He had more walks than strikeouts, (16/13) was hitting for power, (6 HR), and was leading not only the team, but the entire National League with 2.1 bWAR . He was well on his way to his first all star appearance. </p>
<p id="IYCFX5">Then he caught a bad break, literally, taking a foul tip off his toe. The resulting fracture put him on the IL 2 days later on May 15th. With the team in a deep slump, he was rushed back ten days later May 25th before the fracture had fully healed. At the time the team said being able to play was simply a matter of his pain tolerance and he would not risk further injury. While that was true, the disruption to his season caused timing issues. He went 1 for 15 upon his return, and from May 25th through June 19th in 77 PA he hit just .171, with 2 homers, 5 walks, and 22 K’s. Timing, plate discipline, and power had all disappeared. And then disaster struck again, </p>
<p id="lwZ1Uh">On June 19th he was hit by a Walker Buehler fastball, fracturing his wrist. This time there was no quick return, as he’d be out until July 30th. Over his last 48 games he hit .221/.297/.364 with just 5 homers 16 walks and 36 K’s. While it’s undeniable that the two injuries impacted his season, a detailed look at his splits before and after the injuries reveals that his issues hitting right hand pitching have not been fully resolved. Some regression to the mean would have occurred even if he’d not been injured. But after the injuries he actually continued to hit lefties well. Unfortunately the bottom fell out against righties. (See below) Did the injuries themselves cause more issues against RHP than against LHP ? I am somewhat doubtful of that actually. </p>
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<h3 id="5Qe3Kx"><strong>2022 Outlook</strong></h3>
<p id="2YpCsR">At one point during the season I brought up the question of whether or not the team should look to trade Kelly. If the team trades Ketel Marte, then there is a case to be made that they should finish the tear down and trade Kelly as well. He’s already 27, starting to get expensive, and getting closer to the typical offensive cliff that most catchers start to see around age 29 or 30. However there is a case to be made that Kelly aging better than that. </p>
<p id="Z9APmQ">The injuries that hit Kelly were unfortunate, but they are not an indication of an injury prone player. Of course catchers are prone to have more injuries in the first place perhaps, but as far as I can tell he’s never had back, knee. or shoulder issues. He had a hamstring injury in 2018 with the Cardinals. But by and large none of the injuries he’s had should impact him going forward.</p>
<p id="dSqI9t">Steamer and ZIP combine to project him to hit .239/.330/.417, .747 OPS. It’s pretty easy to want to take the over on that projection. </p>
<p id="Wy5xoI">On top of that Kelly does not actually have the typical wear and tear of a 27 year old catcher. He’s only played in 287 Games, 2079 innings behind the plate, and has only 984 career at bats. So it would not surprise me at all if Kelly is a “late bloomer” or has a very productive career up through age 30 and perhaps even into his early 30’s. That means there is a decent chance he could still be a major contributor to the “next good Diamondbacks team” Who knows, maybe he’s even an extension candidate. </p>
<p id="CeZr6t">Of course how Daulton Varsho develops, and how Carson rebounds from the 2nd half of 2021 will dictate the team’s actions in this regard. </p>
<p id="V6k3xw">Kelly is smart, articulate, and funny. He’s got a great attitude, and is open and approachable. He’s very easy to root for, and I’m sure we’ll all be doing just that.</p>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/1/7/22863747/2021-diamondbacks-reviews-6-catcher-carson-kellyJack Sommers2022-01-06T15:24:03-05:002022-01-06T15:24:03-05:002021 Arizona Diamondbacks Player Reviews, #7: Pavin Smith
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<img alt="Colorado Rockies v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g9SdNUf2ohz7D48ulDFiegxHz7g=/0x0:4258x2839/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70356085/1344512135.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>What kind of season did the Pit’s Rookie of the Year have?</em></p> <p id="ojoiHn"><strong>Rating</strong>: 6.50</p>
<p id="c5hGcD"><strong>Age</strong>: Turned 25 on February 6</p>
<p id="XbtNib"><strong>2021 Stats</strong>: 145 G, 545 PA, .267/.328/.404 = .732 OPS, 98 OPS+, 11 HR, 49 RBI, -0.3 bWAR/0.3 fWAR</p>
<p id="HiHpIu"><strong>2021 Earnings</strong>: League minimum</p>
<p id="nXokGA"><strong>2022 Status</strong>: Pre-arbitration, arbitration eligible 2024</p>
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<h3 id="Qa1ipZ">Introduction</h3>
<p id="unubW4">Pavin Smith was selected seventh overall in the 2017 draft. The selectin of Smith was essentially Mike Hazen’s first marquee decision after being named General Manager of the Diamondbacks. At the time of the draft, Smith’s bat was considered the most polished of the collegiate bats in the draft, a point that was leaned heavily upon to account for taking a non-power-hitting first baseman in the upper echelons of the first round. Adding to a bit of the confusion on draft night was that Paul Goldschmidt was the incumbent first baseman for the Diamondbacks at the time and was in the midst of an MVP-caliber season, hitting .306 with a .999 OPS and playing Gold Glove defense at the time of the draft. To say that Smith’s introduction to the media on draft night was an awkward one would be putting it mildly. The young man was trying to celebrate and enjoy the fact that his life had just changed drastically and that he was about to come into life-changing money for his family. Meanwhile, the first barrage of non-canned questions (“How does it feel to be drafted?) revolved around how he felt about the perceived inevitable move to left field - a position he played once a week in college, on nights when the next selection in the draft, Adam Haseley would pitch for Virginia. Smith was fairly firm and confident that he had been drafted as a first baseman and that it was his intention to stick there, though he would of course play where he was told. That led to the second barrage of questions, mostly regarding how he saw that playing out with Paul Goldschmidt ensconced at first. It was almost painfully obvious that this was not a discussion Smith wanted to be having. Frankly, I cannot say as I blame him. Following draft night, the comps started flying for Smith, pegging him somewhere in the range of the lame version of James Loney, to Lyle Overbay, to the solid version of John Olerud. All of the evaluators seemed to agree on one thing though; Smith might hit, even hitting for average, but he was never likely to hit for enough power to be a first-tier first baseman. This only increased the skepticism of taking Smith so high in the draft. In Mike Hazen’s defense, in the months and years following the draft, he has commented that, had there been more time to prepare for the draft, Smith is unlikely to have been the pick at #7, but that Smith’s profile made him a safe, potential quality selection with the seventh pick. Of course, hindsight is nearly always 20/20 in these sorts of things.</p>
<p id="IvNaPp">Smith’s debut as a professional came later in the summer of 2017, when he was assigned to A- Hillsboro. The results were something of a mixed bag. Smith did indeed hit for average. He also walked more times (27) than he struck out (24) in the 51 games he played. Also on display, was a total lack of power. His doubles were liners and grounders which managed to find the gap and he posted no home runs in 195 at-bats. 2018 saw Smith promoted to A+ ball. That did not go nearly as well. The average dropped significantly. The strikeouts began to creep up, and the power dropped off even further. By the time the Arizona Fall League rolled around, there were significant questions about whether or not he was going to hit enough to move up the ladder, especially as a 1B/DH type. Then the Diamondbacks traded Paul Goldschmidt, creating a wide-open path to the Majors for Smith. The response to that opportunity was underwhelming, to say the least. 2019 saw Smith open the season in AA ball. The performance was mostly more of the same. Halfway through the season, there were questions about whether or not AA was going to end him. Then, he started to slowly trend in the right direction and finished the year on a fairly good run. He finished the season with 59 walks against 61 strikeouts and elevated his OPS to .835. The notable difference during his improved performance was that he began to add a bit more loft into his flat Virginia-taught swing. The power still was not showing up as much as one would hope, but the profile of extreme ground baller was slowly being re-written. Then, 2020 happened, sending Smith to the alt-site, where he continued to work on refining his swing. COVID, injuries, and performance issues opened the door just a crack, giving Smith an opportunity to debut in late 2020, paving the way for him to open the season on the roster in 2021.</p>
<h3 id="3GYfi5">2021</h3>
<p id="dEYRkH">Smith was the Day 1 starter in right field, going 1-for-2 with a double. His first complete game came on the third game of the season, when he went 1-for-3, again playing in right field. Through the first eleven games of the season, Smith was part of the starting lineup seven times. Through that time, Smith was hitting a respectable .241/.290/.414. He had one home run and two doubles to go along with his two walks and six strikeouts. When he was making contact, Smith looked like a big leaguer. When he was swinging and missing, he looked woefully overmatched. In the field, he seemed average at best. Then something strange happened.</p>
<p id="PQ4lBp">On April 17th, Pavin Smith was once again in the starting lineup. Except Smith was not playing right field, or left field, or even first base. No, Smith was the starting center fielder. This seemed like an odd assignment for Smith. After all, his defensive profile was one of a 1B/DH with the possible potential to not completely suck in left field. However, the Arizona outfield was undergoing all sorts of issues at the time. When strange combinations of performance issues and injuries hit a team, oddities sometimes happen. Longtime fans of the Diamondbacks will remember that Chris Herrmann started a game in center field in 2016. Sometimes, these things just happen. Before the first pitch of the game was even thrown, the questions started to be asked about how well Smith would handle moving into center, a position he had never played before. This is how he responded:</p>
<div id="tNC6jz"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/pavin-smith-s-diving-catch" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="NxiO0w">Once the game was over, Diamondbacks fans were able to breathe a bit easier. Smith had gone 1-for-4 and even managed to be a net positive defensively for the day. Then, another oddity occurred. Smith began to get regular starts in center. Almost immediately, it became clear that the highlight above was indeed a player playing out of position making what should have been a routine play. The diving attempt was exciting. The mechanics to protect the catch and the ball were good to see. Smith did everything right and maximized his athletic talent. But that did not mean he belonged in center field. Yet, Mike Hazen had Tory Lovullo stick to the concept. By the end of the season, Smith logged 252 innings in center field, accounting for -10 defensive runs saved. That’s -48 defensive runs per year/1200 innings. This was not a matter of Smith getting bad jumps or taking poor routes. This was a matter of Smith not even being in the same zip code when some balls came landing in the outfield. The shortcoming, however, was not so much on him as the organization’s insistence on running him out there over and over again. Some of this, was due to outfield injuries. Some of this was due to the desire to keep Smith’s bat in the lineup. Most of it though, seemed to be entirely about an unwillingness to accept that Smith had no business patrolling center - none. </p>
<p id="6uPcHH">The desire to keep Smith’s bat in the lineup, even at the cost of him playing center was a suspect one all along. While learning to play center and bouncing around all over the outfield and playing first, Smith’s bat continued to drop off. Those watching with regularity could tell when he was most comfortable - games when he was manning first base. Smith’s best offensive position was first base, by a decent margin. Second was center field, though his overall hitting as an outfielder fielder was below average.</p>
<p id="OEYvrA">Smith’s biggest offensive contribution came on May 27th, when he played first and went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI in a 10-inning loss to the Cardinals. Smith’s contribution was good for .508 win probability added. Alas, Paul Goldschmidt doubled home the Manfred Man in the 10th, ruining the chances of Smith’s strong day resulting in a win.</p>
<p id="H3r7re">All-in-all, Smith’s 2021 was a rollercoaster affair, with most of the dips not being of his own making. His bat showed flashes of being a high average, high on-base bat that could work well either in the two-hole or right behind the heart of the order. Other times, Smith still seemed baffled by Major League off-speed pitches. While his walks no longer kept pace with his strikeouts 42:106, he maintained a walk rate over 8%. For the season, his OBP was a decent .328. He even managed to pull 11 home runs. Yes, all of his home runs were pool-side, pull-side. Smith led the team in plate appearances and hits and was second only to David Peralta in terms of games in which he appeared. As a rookie player who spent more than half the season playing out of position, Smith’s overall performance was an acceptable one, though one that still raises questions about just how long he can stick at the top level.</p>
<h3 id="QtDTlf">2022 and Beyond</h3>
<p id="l88F6Y">The offseason trade for Jordan Luplow and the decision to tender Christian Walker muddies the waters for Smith’s future. Looking at the numbers of David Peralta and Pavin Smith side-by-side, the two had very similar seasons at the plate, though Peralta was much better on the bases and did lead the league in triples. Still, this gives some idea that perhaps Smith could find himself an everyday home in left field should the need arise. Regardless of where he plays, the front office has done nothing but show confidence in the young man at every turn. His age and the fact that he will only be entering his second season create the expectation that Smith will once again be an everyday player for the Snakes. This changes the question from whether or not Smith will be playing to, <em>where </em>will Smith be playing?</p>
<p id="efipuJ">The biggest thing Smith can do to improve his stock moving forward is to continue adding loft to his swing. His present power is still well-below average for a corner position player. With more power will come more walks, helping him regain his reputation as a high OBP player. With Smith’s erratic profile and the numerous other players all vying for time at his most likely positions, it is difficult to tell whether or not Smith will figure into the plans of the next competitive Diamondbacks team. One thing that will surely help him succeed though, would be if the organization stopped setting him up to fail by putting him in center field.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/1/6/22870138/2021-arizona-diamondbacks-player-reviews-7-pavin-smithJames Attwood2022-01-05T15:00:00-05:002022-01-05T15:00:00-05:002021 Arizona Diamondbacks Reviews, #8: Tyler Gilbert
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<img alt="MLB: San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Egsv6GRn-vspT4yvPhNAyg21TbA=/0x97:3916x2708/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70351532/usa_today_16566567.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Can a legend be forged in a single performance? After what the Arizona Diamondbacks endured last season, perhaps so.</p> <ul>
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<strong>Rating</strong>: 5.78</li>
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<strong>Age</strong>: Turned 28 on December 22</li>
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<strong>2021 Stats</strong>: No Hitter, 9 games pitched, 6 starts, 3.15 ERA, 40 IP, 1.2 bWAR, 136 ERA+</li>
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<strong>2021 Earnings</strong>: league minimum</li>
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<strong>2022 Status</strong>: 40-Man Roster, pre-arbitration until 2025, rookie status still intact</li>
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<p id="9Pj8Gz">This player review is brought to you by <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/11/29/22808411/2021-single-game-performance-of-the-year-tyler-gilberts-no-hitter#comments">Jim McLennan’s sterling 2021 Single-Game Performance of the Year article</a>. And with that, you should go enjoy another video of NikT smoking some delicious meats. The end... Sarcasm aside, it is difficult to put more valuable keystrokes to computer screen than what Jim said earlier, but I will try my best.</p>
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<p id="hTCRKv">Tyler Gilbert is a reminder that one can never truly know what the future holds in store. The coronavirus pandemic ended his 2020 season before it even began just like it did for all minor league players. Instead of toiling away in Oklahoma City for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> AAA affiliate, he worked with his father as an electrician to get by while keeping his arm in pitching shape on the side. The <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> selected him in the 2020 AAA Rule 5 draft from Los Angeles and stashed him away in Reno not anticipating the pitching dumpster fire that would take hold at the MLB level in 2021. </p>
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<p id="SqzLPL">If the Diamondbacks were in the wild card hunt, there is an alternate universe where Tyler Gilbert might not make more than a couple relief or spot start appearances for the MLB club, if he is even called up at all. That isn’t meant as an insult to him by any means. His track record as a minor league pitcher in the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a>’ farm system was solid. They drafted him in 2015 out of the University of Southern California before trading him to Los Angeles in 2020. Gilbert began his career as a starter in the Phillies’ system before eventually being converted to a reliever in 2017. Arizona had different plans and stretched him back out as a starting pitcher for the Reno Aces. There he made 10 starts pitching to a very respectable 3.44 ERA in a well known hitters’ environment.</p>
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<p id="YTU2hD">Tyler made his MLB and Arizona Diamondbacks debut on August 3rd against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a>. His first three outings in a D’backs uniform were out of the bullpen in which he pitched 3 & <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings, struck out 5 batters, and gave up one unearned run. However, the next time he took the mound at Chase Field on August 14th is what cemented him in Arizona Diamondbacks’ history. A Diamondbacks pitcher had never thrown a no hitter at Chase Field before August 14th, 2021. </p>
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<p id="O3UgKB">In fact, the only no hitter pitched in that downtown stadium, then named Bank One Ballpark, came on June 25th, 1999 when Jose Jiminez of the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> threw one against Arizona to secure a 1-0 victory for the red birds. Tyler would also not be the first left handed alumnus of USC to throw a no hitter for the Arizona Diamondbacks. That honor belongs to none other than Hall of Famer Randy Johnson and his unforgettable perfect game against the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> in 2004.</p>
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<p id="AjIjvf">Much like that 2004 season the Diamondbacks found themselves spiraling away in mediocrity praying for the season to conclude swiftly. In Randy Johnson, fans expected a dominant performance regardless of the team talent level around him. Not the case with Tyler Gilbert who was unknown to even the most die hard of fans. Gilbert’s first career MLB start came against the, at that time, playoff hopeful <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>. San Diego was still 14 games above .500, 3rd in the National League West and very much a wild card contender. Arizona was an embarrassing 38-80 and trying desperately to avoid a franchise worst season record.</p>
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<p id="kzByFB">With his family in attendance, Tyler got to work with a pre-game set 85 pitch count limit. Ironically, his bid for a perfect game vanished against the very first batter, Tommy Pham, who drew a leadoff walk. Pham would be the only Padres batter to reach base that evening with three walks total, ultimately being erased on a double play twice. Like I imagine was the case with most D’backs fans in the 2021 season, I was loosely paying attention to the game for the first few innings while preparing dinner. By that point in the season, I think it would be safe to assume that we all built in an emotional safety net and would shut off the game if it got out of hand in the early innings. Not the case that fateful evening because Arizona would jump out to a rare 5-to-0 lead at the conclusion of the first inning. Past emotional trauma of the 2021 season would not allow some of us to be convinced that would be enough in the early innings, but at least the Arizona offense gave Tyler Gilbert a chance to secure a victory in his first MLB start.</p>
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<p id="Fk0NWF">The hitless innings continued to pile up until fans began to notice, as they always do, right around the end of the fifth inning. By that point Gilbert’s pitch count was already at 63, so if Torey Lovullo’s limit of 85 was to be believed then there was seemingly no chance he would finish the game. </p>
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<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="xvg7tR"><q>“I was probably the most stressed out person in the entire stadium.” - Torey Lovullo</q></aside></div>
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<p id="88GVGZ">Gilbert continued to defy odds. He eclipsed that 85 pitch limit in the top of the seventh thanks in part to an 8 pitch walk to Tommy Pham. With the no hitter still intact and a chance to do something special, Lovullo convened with his staff and decided to stretch that limit somewhere beyond 100 but below 110. Fear not because in the eighth inning Gilbert retired the side in order on only three pitches. By that point, Arizona sports fans were glued to their television and radio sets hoping to witness history at Chase Field. Nothing else was going on that mattered. The <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Phoenix Suns</a> had already disappointingly lost the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a>. The <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> had not begun regular season play. The <a href="https://www.fiveforhowling.com">Arizona Coyotes</a>... exist? At that particular moment, Tyler Gilbert is THE center of the sports universe in Arizona.</p>
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<p id="DDfVHj">Arizona had a comfortable 7-to-0 lead which undoubtedly gave the coaching staff more breathing room with Tyler as the game wore on. He took the mound in the ninth inning with the chance to become the first pitcher to throw a no hitter in his first MLB start since Bobo Holloman in 1953.</p>
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<div id="EYe03Z"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/gilbert-s-father-watches-no-no" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
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<p id="sN3bLR">How did he conclude the no hitter? For the first time all evening, he actually <em>retired </em>Tommy Pham by getting him to line out to Ketel Marte in center field. Watching his father’s reaction in the stands in the video above brings back the same emotions from that evening. One could not write a more ridiculously cheesy movie script than what took place that evening. But this wasn’t fantasy. This was reality. Tyler Gilbert’s reality. He had to walk the journey from minor league starter converted to a reliever, to losing an entire season due to a pandemic, to working with his father as an electrician to make ends meet, to being selected in the AAA Rule 5 draft, to being thrust back into a starting role, to throwing the first no hitter in Chase Field history in his first MLB career start for a bottom of the league team. It is a movie script that would make most groan if they read it, but the fact that it actually happened right before our eyes is what makes it so special. His performance that evening was a reminder that anything can happen on any given night on the diamond.</p>
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<p id="eki0R5">Sure, Gilbert had a few starts after that incredible performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He may have a few more ahead of him in the next season as well. It is difficult, if not impossible, to best what he put up that night, but it will never be forgotten regardless of what he becomes in the future. That is what makes him a legend.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/1/5/22863639/2021-arizona-diamondbacks-reviews-8-tyler-gilbert-no-hitterKeegan Thompson