Wednesday, April 02

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 right to it …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- As part of his continuing evolution as a manager, Torey Lovullo plans to be more willing to adjust when making out the Diamondbacks' starting lineup this year.

“I want to work my very hardest to be as flexible at creating the best lineup every night,” Lovullo said.

Now, some Arizona fans may feel like Lovullo has been too flexible in the past when he has adjusted his lineup, but as the game continues to evolve, more managers have become aggressive in shifting their lineup based on pitching matchups.

Managers now don’t just take into account how their lineup looks against that night’s starting pitcher, they also base it on what possible matchups against the bullpen could look like.

Communication is one of Lovullo’s greatest strengths as a manager, so whatever changes are made, he will ensure he communicates it to his players in advance.

“I don’t like to surprise guys with anything that might seem panicky or out of the norm,” Lovullo said.

In fact, he’s likely to have conversations with players even before the season starts to give them a heads-up on how he plans to adjust the lineup.

There are a couple of things you can probably take to the bank now -- some combination of Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll will hit in the first and second spots, while shortstop Geraldo Perdomo will hit ninth.

Last year, when the Diamondbacks led the Majors in runs scored, Lovullo would hit Marte first against righties and second against lefties. Marte, a switch-hitter, crushes lefties and likes to hit leadoff against them.

Carroll's speed, ability to get on base and power make him ideal to hit leadoff against righties and second against lefties.

“I know Ketel likes to hit leadoff against lefties, that’s been noted,” Lovullo said. “But I think he feels best overall hitting second and I want to put him in the best situation to be successful.”

Perdomo, meanwhile, is valuable in the No. 9 spot because while he doesn’t always hit the ball hard, he has a knack for finding his way on base, compiling a .344 on-base percentage last year. He works deep in counts, rarely chases out of the zone and is a good bunter.

“He grinds down that at-bat and flips it over to the top,” Lovullo said. “And [if] he gets on, we're going to score some runs between what I’m anticipating being Marte and Corbin.”

Lovullo has chastised himself for at times being too reluctant to move guys up or down in the order based on how they’re swinging the bat, but it’s not always a clear-cut decision for a manager.

Sometimes, showing confidence in a struggling hitter is the right answer, while other times, making the move is the best way to go.

“This game is full of confidence, highs and lows, ups and downs,” Lovullo said. “Sometimes I feel like when a player is struggling, I need to believe in them more than they believe in themselves and really stick with them. It’s probably one of the hardest things to do inside of my day-to-day conversations and inside of my job. I’ve got to figure out where that line is. And the line is blurry sometimes. It’s a moving line. I’ve got to be smart not to do it at the wrong time.”

Veteran infielder Trey Mancini, who is trying to get his career going again after stepping away from the game following Spring Training in 2024, had a nice moment Saturday afternoon.

The non-roster invitee, who figures to open the year with Triple-A Reno, hit a walk-off two-run homer to lead the Diamondbacks past the White Sox.

“We feel like he’s on a really good path,” said Lovullo. “Where it leads to, at this point in time, it’s yet to be determined. But if he wants to play the game, we’re going to continue to give him an opportunity.” 

• See where the Diamondbacks rank amongst the game’s best offenses per my colleague Anthony Castrovince.   

• Anthony also looked at the top pitching staffs, which included the D-backs despite their struggles on the mound last season. 

• Lovullo calls it “winning the inch,” while others say it’s doing the little things right. Either way, it’s what they preach at the Major League level and at the Minor League level. That showed itself during Arizona’s Spring Breakout game.

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