Uncustomed Heroes of 2020: Diamondbacks

Man, a lot went on in Phoenix for them to turn out to be a last place team.

I mostly equate it to a tight, tough division, with the Giants and Rockies sneaking ahead in the last few weeks before the season's end, and also to the diminishing returns of a lot of the D-Backs roster. This was not the greatest D-Backs team, but there was a lot to like about it.

For instance, their star player, Ketel Marte, is still in peak form, and had a fantastic end to the season, finishing with a .287 average, 52 hits and 17 RBIs. Not bad for a shortened season.

2021 Prediction: Back to full dominance, with another ASG nomination, more fantastic contact ability, and some trade offers.

Marte's infield partner, Eduardo Escobar, had a bit of a down year after a breakout, power-friendly 2019. Escobar struggled at the plate, with a .212 average and 20 RBIs. 

2021 Prediction: A rebound, and a more comfortable feel. Like Marte, he may not be insusceptible to the trade deadline.

Nick Ahmed has been with the D-Backs since 2014, which is hard for me to remember since he always seems so refreshing and young [he turned 30 this year]. This was another strong, well-rounded year for Ahmed, with a lineup-leading 1.3 WAR, a .266 average and 29 RBIs. He's signed for another few years, and hopefully he'll remain a strong, consistent veteran presence.

2021 Prediction: Ahmed is finally rewarded with an ASG nomination, and has another high-WAR year. 

After a smashing breakout year, Christian Walker mellowed out in the home run category while still notching 59 hits, 36 RBIs and a .271 average, much-more for contact than his one-sided 2019 numbers. Walker is becoming a reliable player, which is fantastic.

2021 Prediction: A down year, but not enough to be given up on.

After an injury stopped Luke Weaver from finishing his strong start last year, Weaver responded with a fairly mediocre go of things despite staying healthy the whole year. A 1-9 record, a 6.58 ERA and a 1.558 WHIP is not a strong statement post-injury. 

2021 Prediction: A comeback, but mostly out of the bullpen.

After a strong breakout 2019 that got him the starting catching gig, Carson Kelly, similar to Tony Wolters, kind of backpedaled, with a perfectly okay year. Look, he hit .221 with 19 RBIs and 27 hits, it's not really much to report.

2021 Prediction: Either a return to form or backup duty once the D-Backs pick another catching option.

The official DH in Arizona this year was Daulton Varsho, but since he didn't hit, the better DH option this season was Tim Locastro, the backup outfielder in residence who had another strong if underrated year, hitting .290 with 20 hits and 7 RBIs in 33 games. Could be a decent DH option next year.

2021 Prediction: An injury to a starter leads to more playing time for Locastro and more means for other teams to trade for him after the season.

Last season's dual rookie starters returned this year for similar results. Alex Young, unlike last year, had the weaker go of things, with a 5.44 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 12 games, 7 of them starts. 

2021 Prediction: Another similar season split between the rotation and, mostly, the pen.

And unlike in 2019, Taylor Clarke had the stronger year, with a 3-0 record, a 4.36 ERA in 12 games and 5 starts, and 40 strikeouts. If the D-Backs do pick one of these two full time next year...

2021 Prediction: ...it's going to be Clarke, and he's going to make the absolute most of it.

After losing perennial bullpen unsung hero Andrew Chafin, this year's bullpen unsung hero for the Diamondbacks was the strong and sturdy Stefan Crichton. Crichton posted a 2.42 ERA in 26 appearances, striking out 23 and only allowing 7 earned runs. 

2021 Prediction: Will be the frontrunner, and the winner of, the closing gig. Expect 30 saves from this guy next year. 

Stephen Vogt seems to have embraced his role as a perennial backup catcher these days. As his 2020 was nowhere near as inspiringly good as his 2019, he still did what he could backing up Carson Kelly. He bat .167 this season in 26 games. Clearly not his best numbers.

2021 Prediction: Either he retires or somebody else signs him to a minor league deal and he surprises them.

After giving up Starling Marte at the deadline, one of the big MLB pieces that the D-Backs received was Caleb Smith, the Marlins' low-ERA standout of late. In 4 post-August games, Smith did not disappoint, with a 2.45 ERA with 13 strikeouts and a 1.000 WHIP. Good signs of a full season to come.

2021 Prediction: Teams with Gallen and Kelly for a Hydra of tough pitchers the NL West are gonna hate facing.

Coming Tomorrow- They won the World Series. I have a few left that never got posted.