Uncustomed Heroes of 2024: Diamondbacks

 

[I'm gonna post about the other thing later today. For now, I've gotta do the Year by Year post. We'll talk betrayal later on.]

It still baffles me that with everything the Arizona Diamondbacks were able to put together, especially over the last few months, they still wound up missing the playoffs. I'd say they were a way more worthy playoff team than Atlanta this year. They still went 89-73, which was a better record than three different AL playoff teams, and had an incredible July-August run that was only topped by their own competitors the Padres. They were very good, they were just unlucky. Some piled up losses from a period of the season where some of their best players were hurt cost them glory this year.

In 2023, you can argue that the factor that kept them from winning a ring was the fact that their rotation depth was infuriatingly limited. They had Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, the sudden rise of Brandon Pfaadt, and that was basically it. So for 2024, the D-Backs signed two proven starters, and...not only did they struggle with consistency and injuries, but Gallen and Kelly got hurt too. Which left Pfaadt as one of the few D-Backs starters to go the whole season without getting hurt. In a full season of work, Pfaadt was a bit more humbled by opposing offenses, but stood his ground and came off as a durable workhorse. In 32 games he went 11-10 with a 4.71 ERA and a team leading 185 strikeouts. In a season where so many young pitchers have gotten hurt after getting to the league, Pfaadt stayed strong through a tumultuous Diamondbacks season.

2025 Prediction: Well this would be a funny time to get hurt, right? No, honestly I think he'll have a lower ERA but miss a month of playing time.

Ryne Nelson, one of the more troubled starters of 2023 for the D-Backs, wound up starting a ton of games this year as well due to the rotation vacancies. I would say that Nelson's 2024 was not only an improvement, but the fullest taste of his repertoire yet. In 28 games, 25 of them starts, Nelson went 10-6 with a 4.24 ERA and 126 Ks. He proved he can be a strong fill-in when needed, but can also continue to role-play if pressed.

2025 Prediction: Mostly appears in long relief, though I think he'll start at least 20 games because of all the turnovers.

Jordan Montgomery arrived D-Backs training camp late after tense deliberations with Scott Boras, who Montgomery later fired. That, coupled with some lingering injury issues after two straight consistent campaigns, tanked Gumby's season before it began. This was ultimately not going to be peak Montgomery, much like the wait to sign ruined Blake Snell's season [til he got it going midyear]. In 25 games, Montgomery went 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA and 81 earned runs. He'd be moved to the bullpen for four games. Ultimately, Montgomery declined the option and looks to reinvent himself going forward.

2025 Prediction: I actually see a Cardinals reunion happening, and I see it going about as well as it did in 2022. 

Geraldo Perdomo, en route to a 3.4 WAR season despite missing 60 games, was hurt for a solid stretch of the year, meaning shortstop was wide open in Arizona. Having foolishly dealt away Nick Ahmed the year before, the nearest option was former Pirates and Reds middle infielder Kevin Newman, who hadn't been terrific in a few years. This, ultimately, was Newman's best season since 2019, as he hit .278 with 80 hits in 111 games, plus some excellent defensive SS, ensuring that the position accounted for 5.7 WAR combined [meaning we're talking about a 12.5 WAR DP combo this year]. He made for a decent enough depth piece upon Perdomo's return, but I really don't think they survive the summer without him.

2025 Prediction: I don't think Newman will deliver anything as big as his 2024 first half, but I think he'll be efficient and low-key for whoever he suits up for next.

Meanwhile, Randal Grichuk, who's on team #5, had HIS best season since 2018 after getting an everyday gig filling in for various OF pieces. He hit .291 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs in 106 games, at last proving he can be a consistent lineup presence again, even as a replacement pick. 

2025 Prediction: Is an Opening Day starter with a team that needs OF help/is waiting for an OF prospect to bloom.

In a season where A.J. Puk, Ben Joyce, Aroldis Chapman and Mason Miller revitalized the status of the 100mph reliever, the D-Backs had an entry of their own. Justin Martinez debuted late last year, and struggled to find his control in 10 games. In 2024, Martinez was the most utilized bullpen piece, and not just because of his high heat. In 64 games he had a 2.48 ERA and 91 Ks, plus 8 saves from the tail end of the year. I think this team sees the future of the ninth with this guy, and I think he can deliver on that promise...for a bit anyway.

2025 Prediction: 25+ saves. I think the strain of 2024 may catch up to him at some point.

So the D-Backs struck out with Jordan Montgomery. Eduardo Rodriguez, who signed a longer contract, didn't fare much better. After missing four months with injuries, Rodriguez appeared in 10 games for Arizona, and went 3-4 with a 5.04 ERA. With Rodriguez, you get seasons like this, but they come in between gold, and I think that's what the D-Backs are banking on.

2025 Prediction: Like clockwork, a 5 WAR season.

I don't think the D-Backs have figured out exactly what to do with Pavin Smith. They tried starting him in 2022, it wasn't great. He missed swaths of the last two seasons due to inefficiency. He's not good enough at either OF or 1B to warrant an everyday position, and there's better options at DH this year. So this year, Smith was relegated to a bench spot, and somehow that kinda worked. In 60 games he hit .270 with 9 homers and 36 RBIs, and down the stretch he was very useful, if...still limited.

2025 Prediction: I don't think he finishes the season with the team, but it won't be without some fun moments.

Right at the end of July, Christian Walker gets hurt, which is something that could be a setback for this team. Their star 1B is down, and their next-nearest option is...as discussed, not a defensive genius. So the D-Backs trade for Josh Bell. It's a ballsy move, getting an out-and-out rental, especially if you're giving up Deyvison de los Santos, who's supposed to be a mammoth hitter. But Bell did exactly what was asked of him, and filled in very well for Walker. In 41 games, he hit .279 with 5 homers and 22 RBIs, a line nobody could be too dissatisfied with. 

2025 Prediction: Bell has played for six teams in three seasons. Team #7 will be the closest thing to a keeper of the bunch [at this rate it'll be the Mets], and he'll give them a surprise 30-homer year.

And also in the mix of the D-Backs/Marlins swappage, A.J. Puk, who'd struggled out of a starting role in Miami, wound up in Phoenix as well. When no one expected him to, Puk put together an extraordinary season, with a 1.32 ERA and 43 Ks in 30 games. Puk brought this team dominance, consistency and pure heat, which is what he'd been teased to provide for years. 

2025 Prediction: Perhaps a little more human, but I think the D-Backs are gonna be his team for a bit.

Coming Tomorrow- Surprisingly there are a lot of Dodgers members I didn't get to during October.