An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and blog
A very surprising name emerged today as a suggested way for Arizona to address their third-base situation. Would you believe, three-time All-Star, Alex Bregman? According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, “The Arizona Diamondbacks have become a surprise entrant in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes and are ‘kicking the tires’ on the possibility.” Nick Piecoro subsequently confirmed […]
about 2 months ago | 5 reads
Background: The Outfield in 2025. Are all the outfield positions contributing to winning games? Let’s compare the 2025 Wins Above Average (WAA) for center field with the two corner positions. Data from Baseball Reference. While there was a decline in both, the decline was larger in center field, where Wins Above Average (WAA) broke through […]
about 2 months ago | 5 reads
Diamondbacks News Former Diamondbacks Catcher Signs with Rangers by Alex D’Agostino [SI] According to a report by El Extrabase’s Daniel Álvarez-Montes, Herrera has inked a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, and will receive an invitation to big league Spring Training. The Rangers are the first organization Herrera will be a part of that is […]
about 2 months ago | 4 reads
Overview 2025 Review In baseball, so much of roster construction can center around player potential. That potential can be based on professional evaluations, subjective opinions, and obviously past performance. Teams will also sometimes see potential in “glue” guy – usually a veteran player who brings some kind of “clubhouse presence” that can theoretically help guide […]
about 2 months ago | 3 reads
The Arizona Diamondbacks have officially reunited with a key part of their rotation, agreeing to a two-year, $40 million contract with right-hander Merrill Kelly. It was a move many were hoping for this off-season, bringing The Mainstay back to the desert where he and his family live. The deal likely keeps him in a D-backs […]
about 2 months ago | 3 reads
Merrill Kelly signing reaction [SI] Why Merrill Kelly Signing was a Necessary Risk for Diamondbacks – Kelly does provide what Arizona needs more than anything — reliable innings coverage. While health isn’t a complete guarantee, Kelly generally is able to deliver five-plus innings each and every start. 2024 is the only season in recent history […]
about 2 months ago | 3 reads
Adrian Del Castillo was coming into the 2025 season with the glow of a successful 2024 behind him. Clayton accurately identified his defense as an issue in that review, but he and all other parties agreed that the bat could play at the major league level. The question would be come, could it overcome the […]
about 2 months ago | 2 reads
In one of the less surprising free-agent signings of the winter, Merrill Kelly has returned to the desert, signing a two-year contract with the Diamondbacks, for a reported $40 million. It’s a deal which both sides had clearly been keen on pursuing, even before Kelly was dealt to the Texas Rangers at the deadline. The […]
about 2 months ago | 2 reads
Of all the seasons in Diamondbacks’ history, this was certainly one of them. Given the mediocrity of the final record, I think it’s surprising how many of the games might stick around – just not for the right reasons. We score ten runs in an inning! And lose… A player hits four home-runs in a […]
about 2 months ago | 2 reads
Multiple sources this morning are reporting that the Diamondbacks have re-signed starting pitcher Merrill Kelly to a two-year deal. The cost is apparently $40 million, which is both higher than expected, and also seems more than the D-backs were generally expected to be spending. It’s a return to Arizona for Kelly, of course. He came […]
about 2 months ago | 2 reads
Reports: Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks agree to 2-year, $40M deal https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47302930/reports-merrill-kelly-diamondbacks-agree-2-year-40m-deal Arizona Diamondbacks, Merrill Kelly on verge of reunion https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2025/12/14/merrill-kelly-contract-diamondbacks/87762366007/ James will have Merrill Kelly’s review on January 3rd. Ketel Marte to play in World Baseball Classic for Dominican Republic https://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizon...
about 2 months ago | 3 reads
Overview Background and Peak Expectations Alek Thomas burst onto the prospect scene with a standout 2021 minor league season (.313 AVG, 18 HR, .953 OPS) while showcasing elite center field defense. Entering 2022, MLB.com ranked him as the Diamondbacks’ top prospect and No. 18 overall—ahead of future stars like Corbin Carroll and Elly de la […]
about 2 months ago | 3 reads
There are times where I have to wait until the last minute possible to write up the winner, because it is not clear who it is going to be. This was not one of those times. The victor always seemed likely, though I do have to feel for Brandon Pfaadt, whose “incomplete game shutout” would […]
about 2 months ago | 3 reads
It’s no secret that the importance of starting pitching has been in decline for some time. There was a point where throwing two hundred innings in a season was a reasonable mark to aim for in a team’s rotation. But those pitchers are now a severely endangered species. Barely a decade ago, in 2014, thirty-four […]
about 2 months ago | 5 reads
Today, the Arizona Diamondbacks made official the free-agent signing of pitcher Michael Soroka, who is expected to become part of the Opening Day rotation for the team. To make room for the player on the 40-man roster, Arizona designated pitcher Bryce Jarvis for assignment. GM Mike Hazen spoke to the media this afternoon, explaining what […]
2 months ago | 3 reads
Overview 2025 review I was a little surprised to realize Morillo appeared in as many as forty-two games for the D-backs this year. Only Jalen Beeks and Ryan Thompson pitched more often, and Juan took the mound more often than many more well-known names. It may be because he didn’t see very many high-leverage situations: […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
Overview Rating: 4.98 2025 stats: 74 games, 225 PAs, 8 doubles, 7 home runs, no triples, 18 RBI and 8-2 in SB attempts. He slashed .201/.274/.347 with an OPS of .620 and OPS+ of 71. He had 64 Ks, to 20walks. Date of birth: April 7th, 1999 2025 salary: Pre-arb 2025 status: He is on the 40 man roster, […]
2 months ago | 3 reads
Team News Mexico City Series returns in ’26, to feature Padres and D-backs“We are extremely excited to showcase our brand internationally once again and thank Major League Baseball for selecting us,” said Diamondbacks President, CEO & General Partner Derrick Hall. “We have played more games in Mexico than any other team in the league and […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
Overview 2025 Review A successful bullpen needs a variety of not just velocity, but also arm angle, pitch selection, and pitch movement. That’s where pitchers like Kyle Backhus come into the picture. He’s a prototypical pitcher who likely would never have found success at the major league level in a pre-Moneyball era. There’s even a […]
2 months ago | 3 reads
If I were to be a betting man… I would probably stay well away from this category. Because there is a presumptive favorite which is so strong, the odds on it would not be worth logging on to my sports betting account. However, maybe we will be surprised? Part of me almost wants to be, […]
2 months ago | 4 reads
Diamondbacks News Jake Lamb Returns to Arizona as Player Development StafferFormer Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb is set to join the franchise’s player development staff, according to a report by MLB’s Steve Gilbert on Monday. Diamondbacks Land 15th Pick in MLB Draft LotteryTwo division rivals will select ahead of Arizona in July. Diamondbacks Receiving […]
2 months ago | 4 reads
Overview Voting overview 2025 review John Curtiss has had a journeyman career in Major League Baseball. Drafted back in 2014 out of the University of Texas by the Minnesota Twins, he has pitched in the Majors in 8 seasons and has been a part of 9 different organizations. Coming off a 2024 season in which […]
2 months ago | 5 reads
What are Balks? Balks are called by an umpire. Mostly, they are called because of actions that might deceive the batter and baserunners. Also, balks can be called for specific actions that are against rules intended to support fair play and safety. Although there are many rules regarding balks, umpire judgement is important. Baseball legend […]
2 months ago | 1 read
Diamondbacks News Diamondbacks Sign Michael Soroka to Bolster 2026 Rotation by Michael McDermott [Dbacks Under Review] While it was pretty obvious upon signing, Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro reported that Soroka will join the rotation. The signing simply improves the floor of their rotation, rather than their ceiling. He profiles more as a No. 4/5 starter […]
2 months ago | 0 reads
Overview Optimism about the Eduardo Rodriguez acquisition. When he was acquired prior to the 2024 season, I listed four reasons to be optimistic in this AZ Snake Pit article. After the disappointing 2024 season, hopes were high that Eduardo Rodriguez could bounce back to his career norms. “Given the three guaranteed years still on his […]
2 months ago | 2 reads