| REPORT CARD |
| 13 up, only 4 down. Not too shabby. Not at all shabby for a team whose lead off hitter's OBP is .274, a team whose all-star/gold glove center fielder has as many errors as he does homers, a team with 3 of their projected starters and their closer on the DL, a team with a 1st year manager... Well I think you get the point, as happy as I am with their recent success against division rivals there is a gargantuan amount of improvement that needs to be made if this team is going to do anything in the post-season. Making the playoffs in the NL West is a feat unto itself, especially for an aging team like the Arizona Diamondbacks. |
| The biggest foe of the franchise is time. Time is beginning to catch up to players like Tony Womack, Steve Finley, and of course Matt Williams. Remarkably the team has remained in the thick of things and thanks to an impressive 13 and 4 record in it's last 17 games (all against division rivals thanks to the unbalanced schedule) is 3 games up on LA, it's closest rival. A huge contribution has come from the bullpen, the bench, and the farm. Undoubtedly the core of the team will have to play up to expectations in order to remain atop the west and not fade in the latter part of the season as in 2000. |
| Through 60 games I give the Diamondbacks an overall grade of a B minus. The starting pitching has been solid for the most part. Curt Schilling is on fire and undoubtedly my early pick for NL Cy Young. Randy Johnson as usual is strikin' em' out but it will be his effectiveness in the second half that will determine if the Snakes are in the hunt or securely in the lead. Bob Brenly has shown that he is committed to preserving Randy's arm and has yanked him as early as the sixth in recent starts. Brian Anderson has got to get healthy and contribute to the rotation. A patched up rotation with Ellis has worked, but will it continue to hold up? |
The bullpen has been a tremendous asset this season. With Matt Mantei's elbow injuries keeping him out of commission it was vital to the team's success to get quality innings from the likes of Bautista, Swindell, Kim, Sabel, and interim closer Prinz. Lately Kim has been ineffective but Brenly has been cautious and has allowed him frequent appearances to boost confidence in the young Korean side-armer. If Kim cannot right the ship I don't know if there is room in the pen when Mantei returns, a trip to the farm could help him regain his command. The bullpen can only get better with Mantei's return, solidifying everyone elses role. |
| The strongest point so far is definitely the bench. Erubiel Durazo has made a name for himself coming off the bench and hammering them to the bleachers. 5 of his 8 homers this year have been in pinch-hit situations. Erubiel recently was asked about the possibility of breaking the existing pinch-hit homerun record of 7, Ruby dismissed the question and said he doesn't want to be a career pinch-hitter. Personally I feel Mark Grace's success in the desert has motivated Erubiel. Erubiel will be a valuable offensive asset to the Diamodbacks off the bench or as a starter, his defense has greatly improved and will benefit by watching grace the remainder of the season and the next. Danny Bautista has not been used alot this year but he does provide a good outfield glove for late inning defensive situations. Greg Colbrunn was recently placed on the DL but he will continue to be a threat to opponents if he comes back healthy. Craig Counsell has adjusted marvelously to third base and has been a good defensive replacement for Williams. |
Recently some youth has made it's way into the Big Show at BOB due to injuries and has shown promise. Junior Spivey had an RBI double and a homer in his debut. Nick Bierbrodt was clearly nervous in his first Major League start but will get another start to show us all what he's made of. Long criticized for a lack of a good farm system, the snakes might have the last laugh. Time will tell for the youngsters but it's quickly running out for the vets. |
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