Welcome to the D-backs Beat Newsletter! I’m Steve Gilbert and I’ve been writing about the D-backs since 1998. Let's get started … |
As we approach the halfway point of the season, the Diamondbacks are like just about every team in the muddled National League Wild Card picture -- around the .500 mark and trying to figure out exactly how good they are. Manager Torey Lovullo was asked a couple of weeks ago what grade he would give his team to that point in the season. "It's fairly unsatisfactory," Lovullo said. "I don't think we've played our best baseball. We've not combined all areas of our game for a sustained period of time. When we do, we're going to be very dynamic and get on a really nice run. These players are fighting every single day, so probably personally unsatisfied that we've yet to play our best baseball would be my answer." General manager Mike Hazen has said recently that he plans to be a buyer at the Trade Deadline, but that is more than a month away, and a lot can change over that time, so buying is by no means a sure thing. In other words, the next five weeks will shape what happens at the Trade Deadline, and with the Wild Card race still wide open, the next three months will determine whether Arizona will be playing in October. |
Let's take a look at the reasons for optimism and the reasons to be concerned heading into the second half: Reasons for optimism 1. Corbin Carroll is doing Corbin Carroll things We'll get to the offense as a whole a little later, but first, let's take a minute to appreciate what we get to watch on a daily basis in Carroll, because it's the complete package. Defensively, he's shone in right field because of the work he's done on getting good jumps on balls. Yes, his speed is a weapon and helps him track down balls that others can't, but he's taken it to another level, working with outfield coach Dave McKay to improve his jumps. Offensively, what can you say? One of the most exciting plays in baseball today is watching Carroll leg out yet another triple. He's been a model of consistency in an otherwise lackluster offense. 2. The bullpen has been outstanding One of the biggest complaints from fans heading into Spring Training was that Hazen didn't do enough to fix a bullpen that was a real Achilles heel for the team in 2025. Turns out he might have known what he was doing. |
The additions of Taylor Clarke, Paul Sewald and Jonathan Loáisiga have proven to be shrewd moves, and Brandyn Garcia, who was part of the Josh Naylor Trade Deadline deal last year, has been good since being recalled. Add to that the improvement of holdovers like Juan Morillo and Kevin Ginkel, and this has been a solid pen even without injured co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez. 3. Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Soroka have anchored the rotation We'll get to the rotation later as well, but Rodriguez is showing himself as the pitcher who the Diamondbacks thought they were getting two years ago when they signed him to a four-year, $40 million contract. Soroka's signing, meanwhile, flew a bit under the radar at last year's Winter Meetings, but before getting hurt last week, he had been an outstanding deep option in the rotation. Changing up his pitch mix from seasons past has proved to be a recipe for success for Soroka, and he figures to be back after a month to help lead a second-half charge. |
Reasons to be concerned 1. The offense There's no getting around the fact that after a few years in which they ranked at or near the top of the league in runs scored, the Arizona offense has struggled, especially recently. It currently sits at 20th in the league with 346 runs scored, after finishing sixth last year with 791 runs over the full season. Second baseman Ketel Marte has rebounded from … you can't really call it a tough start because he was hitting balls on the nose but not getting results. At one point earlier in the year, he led all of baseball in the number of outs on balls with an exit velocity of at least 100 mph. Aside from Carroll, the Diamondbacks have struggled to find consistency within the offense. After a breakout year in 2025, Geraldo Perdomo has not had the same success, though he's been better as of late. One clear need at the Trade Deadline is help at the first base/DH spot, as the Diamondbacks have gotten very little production from those roles. |
2. The rotation pillars have struggled While Rodriguez and Soroka have surprised in the first half, the rest of the rotation has had its struggles. Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, the formidable one-two punch at the top of the rotation, are still searching for consistency. For Gallen, the struggles have been deeper and puzzling because his stuff doesn't seem to be down, and he is as dedicated a worker as anyone. 3. The injuries The Diamondbacks hoped that ace Corbin Burnes would return from Tommy John surgery around the All-Star break and that Puk, also recovering from Tommy John surgery, would have already been back by now. Instead, both pitchers have suffered setbacks. Add to that the injury to Ryne Nelson, which could keep him out until at least September, and Soroka's recent glute issue, and the pitching depth in particular is being tested. Which could be a real problem as the season wears on. |
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