The first year of the Tony LaRussa/Dave Stewart regime in Phoenix provided plenty of comic relief for snarky baseball bloggers, but more importantly it also provided a step forward for a franchise one year removed from a 98-loss season. The Diamondbacks were over .500 as late as August 23, and while they likely won’t finish with a winning record this year they showed enough on the field to make Arizona fans believe it could be possible in 2016. Left for dead just a year ago, the D-Backs now appear to be a team on the rise.
Preseason Prediction: The Diamondbacks will probably be better than they were last year if they can avoid the plague of injuries that hurt them so badly and get production out of Tomas and their trio of new pitchers. Still, there are just too many question marks to consider them a legitimate contender for the Wild Card. Chances are their win total will fall somewhere in the mid-to-high 70s with a .500 season (or slightly better) not entirely out of the realm of possibility. It should be seen as a transition year as La Russa and Stewart start to mold the roster to their liking and head toward another offseason where they can address the weaknesses they didn’t get to this past winter. Small but important steps forward should be the goal in 2015, with an eye on making big strides in 2016. (Dave Tobener, March 23rd)
What Went Right: The D-Backs were an offensive juggernaut, ranking near the top of the NL in almost every major offensive category and posting a team slash line of .265/.325/.410. If not for Bryce Harper, the NL MVP would likely go to Paul Goldschmidt. He hit .315/.433/.550 with 28 homers, 100 RBI, 112 BB and 21 stolen bases, fortifying the middle of the lineup. The outfield trio of David Peralta, AJ Pollock, and Ender Inciarte all had breakout years at the plate, with Pollock especially looking like a piece to build around. A midseason trade with the Mariners brought back Wellington Castillo, and he hit well(ington) enough to conclude he might be the answer to the team’s catching problem that plagued them at the beginning of the season.
On the pitching side, Patrick Corbin returned from missing the entire 2014 season and looked like a future rotation centerpiece. He posted a 2.99 ERA in 75.1 IP and gave the D-Backs hope that he could anchor their staff next year. Veteran Brad Ziegler took over the closer role and brought stability to the bullpen. Robbie Ray deserved better than his 4-12 record and pitched well enough to earn a job in the rotation going forward.
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 01: Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts to allowing a walk in the fourth inning during their game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 1, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
What Went Wrong: Arizona’s starting rotation looked like it was full of fourth or fifth starters at the beginning of the year and they did nothing to change anyone’s mind. Rubby De La Rosa, Chase Anderson, Josh Collmenter, and Jeremy Hellickson all seemed to be interchangeable and could all stand to be replaced this winter. Top prospect Archie Bradley suffered a scary injury when he was hit in the face by a line drive; he returned to the minor leagues and then battled shoulder tendinitis resulting in somewhat of a lost year for him.
The middle infield of Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed strike fear into absolutely nobody at the plate, though Ahmed’s defense is so good the D-Backs will likely live with his offensive shortcomings; Owings, though, could stand to be replaced. The two major international free agents Arizona signed over the winter – Cubans Yasmany Tomas and Yoan Lopez – didn’t make the kind of impact the Diamondbacks expected. Lopez struggled in AA ball, and Tomas… well, we’ll get to him in a bit.
PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 26: Ender Inciarte #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a ground ball during the eighth inning of a MLB game against the St Louis Cardinals at Chase Field on August 26, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Diamondbacks 3-1. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
Most Surprising Player: Inciarte was the star of spring training but didn’t look like he had a spot in the lineup thanks to the presence of Peralta, Pollock, Mark Trumbo and Cody Ross. But there was simply no denying Inciarte’s talent and he forced his way into an everyday role, allowing the D-Backs to jettison Ross and trade Trumbo to Seattle in the deal that brought back Castillo, among others. Inciarte improved on his rookie numbers across the board, slashing .301/.337/.390 and adding 20 stolen bases for good measure. He could stand to walk more, but increased plate discipline is something that might come later. He looks like the kind of hitter who can anchor the top of the order for years to come.
PHOENIX, AZ – JUNE 05: Outfielder Yasmany Tomas #24 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in action during the MLB game against the New York Mets at Chase Field on June 5, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Mets 7-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Most Disappointing Player: Tomas was given $68.5 million to help protect Goldschmidt and solidify the middle of the lineup. He did neither; instead, he showed up out of shape, looked terrible defensively, started the season in the minors, hit for very little power after being called up, and managed to tick off La Russa so much he publicly declared Tomas needed to come to spring training next year in better shape and ready to contribute. The D-Backs are in a bit of pickle with Tomas. They’re paying him a bunch of money, yet he really has no position. He can’t play third, first base isn’t an option, and there are much better outfield options already on the roster. It’s too much money to be paying a bench bat, so rest assured Arizona will do everything possible to find a place in the lineup for Tomas and hope they get a return on their investment. But one season in, it’s not looking like a very good signing.
PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 28: Paul Goldschmidt #44 of the Arizona Diamondbacks (R) is congratulated by teammate A.J. Pollock #11 after hitting a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning of a MLB game at Chase Field on August 28, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Athletics 6-4. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
The Future: Arizona isn’t far away from contention, even in the tough NL West that should count the Dodgers, Giants, and maybe even the Padres as contenders next year. The rotation is the most glaring weakness, and with a loaded free agent class expect Stewart to be aggressive in targeting upgrades. They may try to make a David Price-level splash, or they may focus on less expensive but quality options like Jordan Zimmerman or Mike Leake. The only two pitchers who should be guaranteed a rotation spot are Corbin and Ray, so there will be plenty of room to add.
It’ll also be interesting to see what Arizona does with Tomas, or rather what they might do to ensure their big investment has a chance to play every day. Inciarte or Peralta would likely command a decent return in a trade, perhaps even bringing back a starting pitcher. Both had good years, but the D-Backs hitched their wagon to Tomas and will give him every opportunity to play. They also could use an upgrade in the bullpen, so perhaps their rumored summer interest in Aroldis Chapman could pick up steam again in the winter.
Whatever people may think of La Russa and Stewart (and to be fair, they’ve made some pretty head-scratching statements and decisions), they’ve managed to change the culture of a 98-loss team and get the franchise pointing in the right direction. A few key moves this offseason, and the Diamondbacks might be the trendy NL pick to breakout and make the playoffs next year.
