2014 Season Report (70 Games)

Almost to the mid-point of the season, and things are looking a little better for the Diamondbacks. Thanks to some offensive explosions and better pitching, the Diamondbacks have crept up to 12th (35-35) overall and 10th in the NL. The only comfort is that if they were in the AL they would be in a Wild Card slot, but the NL is deep so they are three spots out and looking up at the Marlins, Braves, and Cardinals.

Injuries are still a concern, with Matt Adams currently rehabbing at AAA Reno, but at least Carlos Santana has returned to the lineup. The biggest story of the last 10 games was the tremendous offensive explosion of Lonnie Chisenhall. Chisenhall has an incredible month 10 game stretch packed into a single game, with 3HR and 9RBI on a 5/5 performance that put him tied for 2nd on the team in HR and 2nd in RBI. Chris Owings continues to be an everyday player, and the demotion of Grant Green to AAA Reno makes it even more important that he continue doing so. Goldschmidt continues to prop up the offense, and if the rest of the team can get hot they could make a mid-season run for that Wild Card spot.

Chisenhall's career day was big for Arizona

Now the pitching staff, they continue to play musical chairs with the DL and the minors. Trevor Cahill, who has been more than terrible, was DFA'd and will be sent to AAA Reno to try and save his season and possibly his career. Cahill is a free agent after the season, and he could find himself out of a job if he doesn't pull it together. Word out of Reno is that Dave Duncan will personally work with Cahill, he will also be seeing mental performance coach Peter Crone. If Cahill fails it won't be for lack of effort on Arizona's part.

Henderson Alvarez, coming off an amazing streak, has been slowed by injuries and missed a start. Gio Gonzalez is still on the DL, and the Diamondbacks desperately need him to come back strong. Jim Johnson's season is developing into a lost year, he is pitching like a below-average reliever instead of the guy who saved 101 games in two seasons. Many expect the Diamondbacks to trade Johnson as soon as possible.

2014 MLB Draft

The 2014 MLB has come and gone, and the Diamondbacks have added some fresh faces to their farm system. Arizona wasn't good enough to actually accomplish much in 2013, but they were just good enough to put them out of position to draft high. The good news is that Arizona had five picks in the Top 100, including two picks in Competitive Balance Round B (#69 & 79), so they had a good shot at grabbing some talented players.

The Diamondbacks have drafted well in recent years, but the previous manager promptly traded that talent away. Guys like Stryker Trahan, Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs, and Archie Bradley are all gone. Hard to say if any of this years' draftees will match those traded away, but there is always hope.

Round (Overall Selection) : Player (School)

1 (16) : RHP Touki Toussaint (Coral Springs Christian Academy, FLA)

A solid first pick, Arizona doesn't really have a gaping hole in their organization, but this could lessen the sting of watching Bradley/Bauer/Skaggs pitching elsewhere. Toussaint, a Vanderbilt commit, could have easily gone much higher in the draft if it had taken place a few months ago. He fell to Arizona, and the upside is undeniable with a good fastball and above-average curveball coming out of highschool. Some feel has has more upside than any pitcher in this draft class, let's hope they are right.

2 (54) : LHP Cody Reed (Ardmore Highschool, AL)

Reed, another Vanderbilt commit, is a very odd prospect. He throws in the 92-96 range and shows the foundation for three pitches. The odd part is his figure, at 6'-3" 250 he isn't your average pitcher. Hopefully his physique doesn't cause any long term problems, but he has the kind of skills that profile as a higher pick.

Comp B (69) : OF Marcus Wilson (Junipero Serra Highschool, CA)

Speedy. Check. Outfielder. Check. Wilson is what the Diamondbacks system needs, he was even receiving some first-round buzz not that long ago. Bat speed and a projectable body make him an exciting pick to pair with 2013 pick Justin Williams. Very raw and toolsy, he could be a star or flame out in the low minors.

Comp B (70) : SS Isan Diaz (Springfield Central Highschool, MA)

Yet another Vanderbilt commit, Diaz is a polished midfielder with a high baseball IQ and a feel for hitting. Scouts seem to think he will move to 2B, which is perfect for the Diamondbacks since the last thing they need is another SS.

3 (89) : OF Matt Railey (North Florida Christian Highschool, FL)

Natural hitting ability with a loose, easy swing and quick hands. Shows natural strength which could develop into power, drives the ball well. Only average speed, so he probably won't play CF at the next level, but he is naturally athletic and a solid defender.

4 (120) : RHP Brent Jones (Cornell University)

The Diamondbacks first selection out of college, probably a reliever in the long run but has room to improve and stick as a starter. Can hit the mid-90's but will probably work in the 92-93 range, has plus action of a curve but struggles with command. Throws a few other secondary pitches (cutter, changeup) but they are currently below average.

5 (150) : RHP Mason McCullough (Lander University)

Very intriguing pick, could be a serious bargain or blow up in out faces. Was dismissed from North Carolina last year after multiple team rules violations, transferred to Lander, possible character risk. Very hard throwing prospect, but command is an issue. Has been clocked at 100, but normally works in the mid-90's. Has basically gotten by muscling his way through at-bats with that fastball, no finesse, and he rarely uses a slider. Arm strength makes him very dreamy, but could end up a reliever or a career MiLB guy.

6 (180) : LHP Zac Curtis (Middle Tennessee State)


7 (210) : 3B Tyler Humphreys (St. Johns River State College)

College player with considerable upside, showed some power potential early this season. Good defender with the arm strength and instincts to stick at the hot corner.

8 (240) : OF Grant Heyman (College of Southern Nevada)

Similar to Humphreys, could have considerable upside for an 8th round selection.

Analysis

Arizona did a very good job with the draft this year, especially for a team drafting in the middle of the round. They made excellent use of their additional picks in Comp B by adding some exciting high-upside players. Overall they went with upside-oriented picks early on and then focused on college players through the 40th round. The Diamondbacks didn't do anything to grab headlines, like draft Johnny Manziel, but they made smart choices that should pan out well over the next few years.

2014 Season Report (60 Games)

Things are looking (slightly) better for Arizona. They are still behind in the standings (16th, 32-28) but they can still claim to be 2nd in the NL West. Faint praise has never pushed a team into the playoffs, and Arizona is currently looking up at a few teams nobody thought would be any good (Cubs & Mets) and some that will be hard to pass (Cardinals & Marlins).

The injury bug has continued to ravage this roster. The deepest cuts are coming on offense with Carlos Santana still suffering concussion-like symptoms, and now Matt Adams has suffered a calf injury that will keep him out until Mid-June. Luckily JJ Hardy has started hitting well enough to split the SS/DH duties with Chris Owings, who is exceeding expectations. Paul Goldschmidt continues to be Paul Goldschmidt and lead the team in runs, HR, and RBI. If it wasn't for Hardy's amazing .303 (It's amazing because he was barely hitting .200 almost two months in) Goldschmidt would lead the team there as well. There is room for improvement, but hitting isn't where this team is struggling right now.

The pitching staff was bad, but recently they have been below average, which is a huge boost. The wins are starting to come, even with Gio Gonzalez still on the DL. Ian Kennedy has taken over as the staff ace, but recently Henderson Alvarez has given him a run for his money. It did come against the light-hitting Rays, but Alvarez tossed a complete game shutout to bring his season ERA and WHIP down to 2.62 and 1.28. Chase Anderson has also recovered from his early season troubles, after getting rocked for 5ER against the Dodgers he has only allowed 2ER in two starts. His 14K's aren't going to blow anyone away, but he's pitching well enough to give Diamondback fans some hope.

Outside of the starting rotation things are rather steady, outside of Jim Johnson and his nightmare season of course, and the recent addition of Pat Neshek should shore up any leaks. Call-up Evan Marshall has only allowed 2ER in 8.2IP and Joakim Soria is back to looking like the "Mexicutioner" with 11 saves and a tidy 0.70 WHIP.

Arizona Signs Pat Neshek

The Diamondbacks announced the signing of hard-throwing RP Pat Neshek today. Neshek agreed to a $800,000 two-year contract that will keep the 33-year-old in Arizona through the 2015 season.

Neshek, somewhat of a journeyman career RP, spent the last two season in Oakland after being drafted by the Twins in 2002.