Exciting Times for the Arizona Diamondbacks - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

kutulu · 07-20-2006, 12:45 PM

The future is now for this team. For the last few years, they have had one of the top farm systems in baseball. They are loaded with can't miss position player prospects and now most of them are ready.

Conor Jackson took over as the everyday first baseman and although his batting average is lower than I'd like it to be, he's adjusting. He's keeping a great BB/K ratio and at the very least he has one of the highest OBP of the team.

Last week, Craig Counsell was put on the DL and Stephen Drew got the call. He struggled in his first couple of games with the bat but broke out last night with 2 doubles and a triple. He's also played stellar defense. He really looked like a guy who belongs on the top 5 of everyone's prospect lists.

Today, Carlos Quentin was placed on the roster. This move is interesting. Green, the current RF is playing really well, hitting over .300 with an OBP over .360. Gonzo has had a hard season but has really picked it up lately. They have Eric Byrnes in CF but he's been the best offensive player on the team all year and I doubt they want him to move from RF to CF (although RF to LF would probably work). They have said over and over that when they bring these guys up, they will not be sitting on the bench.

There must be a trade in the works but Gonzo and Green aren't the most desireable players to trade. Both can veto a trade (Gonzo is a 10/5 guy and Green has a limited NTC). Gonzo is a free agent next season so he'd make a serviceable rental player (I doubt the DBacks would ask for much in return) and Green will make about 11.5M next season. There are rumors that Detroit and the White Sox are interesting in Gonzo and NYY might want Green. NYY would prefer others such as Abreu but they don't have shit to offer in return.

No matter what, it's a cool time to be a fan. I finally get to see all the guys I've been checking the box scores of for the last few seasons and see them climb through the minors. With a tight playoff race, the team is making quite a gamble if they trade a lot of veterans. Honestly, they shouldn't see themselves as being to make it deep in the playoffs (if they even make it at all) so I do think its the right move to make but damn, try explaining the positives of watching the team fall out of a race in order to get their young guys the time they need to adjust to life in MLB.

It doesn't stop with the three guys above. They also have Chris Young (centerpiece of the Vazquez deal with the WSox) playing CF in AAA. He doesn't hit for average much but he's fast as hell and has amazing power and great plate discipline. There is also Justin Upton who hasn't done much in Low A Ball but is heating up. Scattered around there are other guys at other levels that scouts are really high on as well.

Average_Joe · 07-21-2006, 01:00 PM

Before you get too excited, I noticed that all the young studs you mentioned are hitters. What about pitching? Outside of Brandon Webb, their rotation is pretty thin. As you know, pitching (and defense) wins championships.

I will admit that they have more potential than in the last couple of years.

Good luck to your D-backs! Maybe they can play the Red Sox in the WS in the next few years.

kutulu · 07-22-2006, 11:42 PM

Yes, they are a lot more top hitters than pitchers. However, all the big contracts are going away. They will have plenty of money to spend on FA pitching.

07-20-2006, 12:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	Exciting Times for the Arizona Diamondbacks The future is now for this team. For the last few years, they have had one of the top farm systems in baseball. They are loaded with can't miss position player prospects and now most of them are ready. Conor Jackson took over as the everyday first baseman and although his batting average is lower than I'd like it to be, he's adjusting. He's keeping a great BB/K ratio and at the very least he has one of the highest OBP of the team. Last week, Craig Counsell was put on the DL and Stephen Drew got the call. He struggled in his first couple of games with the bat but broke out last night with 2 doubles and a triple. He's also played stellar defense. He really looked like a guy who belongs on the top 5 of everyone's prospect lists. Today, Carlos Quentin was placed on the roster. This move is interesting. Green, the current RF is playing really well, hitting over .300 with an OBP over .360. Gonzo has had a hard season but has really picked it up lately. They have Eric Byrnes in CF but he's been the best offensive player on the team all year and I doubt they want him to move from RF to CF (although RF to LF would probably work). They have said over and over that when they bring these guys up, they will not be sitting on the bench. There must be a trade in the works but Gonzo and Green aren't the most desireable players to trade. Both can veto a trade (Gonzo is a 10/5 guy and Green has a limited NTC). Gonzo is a free agent next season so he'd make a serviceable rental player (I doubt the DBacks would ask for much in return) and Green will make about 11.5M next season. There are rumors that Detroit and the White Sox are interesting in Gonzo and NYY might want Green. NYY would prefer others such as Abreu but they don't have shit to offer in return. No matter what, it's a cool time to be a fan. I finally get to see all the guys I've been checking the box scores of for the last few seasons and see them climb through the minors. With a tight playoff race, the team is making quite a gamble if they trade a lot of veterans. Honestly, they shouldn't see themselves as being to make it deep in the playoffs (if they even make it at all) so I do think its the right move to make but damn, try explaining the positives of watching the team fall out of a race in order to get their young guys the time they need to adjust to life in MLB. It doesn't stop with the three guys above. They also have Chris Young (centerpiece of the Vazquez deal with the WSox) playing CF in AAA. He doesn't hit for average much but he's fast as hell and has amazing power and great plate discipline. There is also Justin Upton who hasn't done much in Low A Ball but is heating up. Scattered around there are other guys at other levels that scouts are really high on as well.

07-21-2006, 01:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Average_Joe Psycho Location: Under the Radar	Before you get too excited, I noticed that all the young studs you mentioned are hitters. What about pitching? Outside of Brandon Webb, their rotation is pretty thin. As you know, pitching (and defense) wins championships. I will admit that they have more potential than in the last couple of years. Good luck to your D-backs! Maybe they can play the Red Sox in the WS in the next few years.

07-22-2006, 11:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	Yes, they are a lot more top hitters than pitchers. However, all the big contracts are going away. They will have plenty of money to spend on FA pitching.