Let’s face it: The Arizona Diamondbacks have had a troublesome decade, particularly lately. The group has just one postseason look in 10 years, and that resulted in a decisive defeat to the eventual league champion Dodgers. The final time they gained a playoff sport was in 2007, earlier than they have been swept by Colorado within the NLCS.
Nonetheless, hope could also be on the horizon.
The Diamondbacks group has top-of-the-line teams of younger gamers making their method to the foremost leagues and is at the moment ranked because the fifth greatest farm system within the majors. In reality, Arizona ranked within the high 10 farm techniques in every of the final 5 polls, together with in the course of the preseason and midseason.
The Diamondbacks want to attain a number of objectives, the most important of which ought to be ending the present postseason drought. Excessive hopes are constructing to start out the 2022 season, as Alec Thomas makes his main league debut in early Could.
Thomas mentioned, “You do not know how good you might be till you play right here, you realize.”
The rookie bought off to a strong begin, impressing the group along with his excellent protection and exhibiting off his aggressive putter. A Chicago product from Mount Carmel Excessive Faculty, Thomas is considered one of a number of younger Diamondbacks to play highschool baseball within the nation. Texas Christian dedicated to taking part in baseball and soccer earlier than selecting to go straight to skilled ball and shortly working his method as much as the majors.
One other piece of potential massive area heartthrob is Jake McCarthy. Debuting late final season, he averaged rookie numbers, quietly bettering his batting common from . 220 to . 283 on the finish of his first full season of the yr. With extra competitors this yr, McCarthy has taken full benefit of the chance to change into a robust strongman. He touched on his success late within the season.
“Extra expertise, extra hitting below my belt – I would not say there is a stark change in my sport, simply understanding I am able to taking part in at that degree,” McCarthy mentioned.
There may be loads of pleasure across the present younger Diamondback linebackers, however maybe nobody attracts extra consideration than outfielder phenomenon Druw Jones. Jones was lately chosen second general within the 2022 MLB June Novice Draft and ranks twelfth general on MLB’s 2022 greatest prospect checklist.
He is anticipated to have a clean and swift sweep via the minors earlier than becoming a member of the seniors and following within the footsteps of his father (Andrew Jones), who gained 10 Gold Gloves and had 5 All-Star appearances throughout his 17-year profession.
In highschool, Jones led Wesleyan to a Georgia state title whereas incomes Georgia Participant of the 12 months honors. He dedicated to Vanderbilt as a sophomore, however blossomed shortly the following two seasons and earned an $8,189,400 signing bonus. The third-highest bonus in MLB draft historical past, the choice was a simple one.
The Diamondbacks see in Jones a tremendous mixture of power and velocity along with his 6-foot-4, 180-pound body. They see him as the ultimate puzzle piece to finish this extremely expert younger outdoors area.
The sphere seems to be lined from a scout’s standpoint, however reinforcements are required for the remainder of the sphere and workers. It is exhausting — and simple — to have a playoff-caliber ball membership with out a good pitch. In order new gamers acquire expertise of their first few seasons, it is time to allow them to develop and get a greater supply.
The Diamondbacks completed the season with the eighth-worst ERA within the majors—bettering from ending the 2021 season with the second-worst mark. If it weren’t for Zac Gallen’s stellar 2.54 ERA, they will surely be nearer to the underside of that checklist.
So, how lengthy will it take the Diamondbacks to get again into the postseason?
Nicely, it appears to be like extra lifelike with the brand new 12-team format, however the group goes to should make some critical strikes and acquisitions to finish the drought.
Behind numerous younger skills, there could also be massive issues on the horizon.
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