2023 Arizona Diamondbacks

[Frobby]

The DBacks are kind of the NL version of the Orioles, currently at 41-25 and riding a 6 game winning streak. They’ve exceeded their 35-31 Pythag by an even greater margin by than the Orioles.   Like the O’s, their pitching is mediocre, 10th in the NL.

The DBacks’ version of Gunnar Henderson, ROY favorite Corbin Carroll, has been nothing short of amazing, posting a .998 OPS, stealing 19 bases and capably manning all three OF spots at various times, all good for 3.5 rWAR about 40% of the way through the season.  He’s got to be an MVP candidate at this point.  

Lots of other guys I could call out, but I’ll just dwell a second on ex-Orioles afterthought Christian Walker.  We jettisoned him in the 2016-17 offseason and he played DFA hopscotch with 3 teams before landing with the DBacks.  He didn’t really get much traction in 2017-18, but he became a regular in 2019 and has been a Trey Mancini-like mainstay with them since.  He’s quietly had a 10 WAR career so far and is having a solid 2023.  We often bemoan the fact that we gave up on Mike Yastrzemski, but Walker has been similarly valuable.  
 

[SteveA]

12 minutes ago, Frobby said:

The DBacks are kind of the NL version of the Orioles, currently at 41-25 and riding a 6 game winning streak. They’ve exceeded their 35-31 Pythag by an even greater margin by than the Orioles.   Like the O’s, their pitching is mediocre, 10th in the NL.

The DBacks’ version of Gunnar Henderson, ROY favorite Corbin Carroll, has been nothing short of amazing, posting a .998 OPS, stealing 19 bases and capably manning all three OF spots at various times, all good for 3.5 rWAR about 40% of the way through the season.  He’s got to be an MVP candidate at this point.  

Lots of other guys I could call out, but I’ll just dwell a second on ex-Orioles afterthought Christian Walker.  We jettisoned him in the 2016-17 offseason and he played DFA hopscotch with 3 teams before landing with the DBacks.  He didn’t really get much traction in 2017-18, but he became a regular in 2019 and has been a Trey Mancini-like mainstay with them since.  He’s quietly had a 10 WAR career so far and is having a solid 2023.  We often bemoan the fact that we gave up on Mike Yastrzemski, but Walker has been similarly valuable.  
 

One of the cool things about the new schedule format is that everyone plays everyone now, so I can look forward to seeing the O's take on a player like Corbin Carroll or Eury Perez or Elly De La Cruz.   Had to look up when we played Arizona, it's Labor Day weekend.   Did anyone notice we have a stretch from August 11 to September 6 where 15 of 24 games are in the Pacific Time Zone?   

[Frobby]

6 minutes ago, SteveA said:

Did anyone notice we have a stretch from August 11 to September 6 where 15 of 24 games are in the Pacific Time Zone?   

Geez.  Good thing I retired and can sleep in - not that my wife lets me!

[btdart20]

Another name to toss in the arena is Zac Gallen.

Former 3rd round pick by STL, traded to MIA (with Alcantara) for Ozuna.  And then by MIA to ARZ for Jazz Chisolm in what was essentially a prospect trade.  A lot of cross currants in there with various OH threads.