Arizona Diamondbacks: Paul Goldschmidt is quietly heating up in May

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is climbing up National League leaderboards in May

Paul Goldschmidt started to heat up at the plate in late April and has taken off so far in May for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Everybody knew it was going to happen eventually because “America’s First Baseman” has been one of the best hitters in major league baseball since being called up in 2011.

Before April 21, Goldschmidt was hitting .237 with 6 RBIs, and concern was starting to set in among fans.

The first baseman quickly put any anxiety to bed. In his last 22 games since April 21, Goldschmidt is hitting .377 (29-for-78) with eight home runs, 26 RBIs, 17 walks, 19 runs scored and a 1.213 OPS.

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Coming into Monday night’s series opener against the New York Mets, Goldschmidt had quietly jumped into fourth in the NL in on-base percentage (.450) tied for third in runs scored (30) and fifth in the league with 32 RBIs.

On Monday, the 29-year-old almost hit his third home run in 3 games but settled for his second double of the game. Goldschmidt was 5-for-17 against the Pittsburg Pirates and is 9-for-25 on the homestand.

Even when Goldschmidt was not hitting in early April, he was still finding other ways to beat an opponent, whether he is taking a walk or stealing a base. That is what makes him an all around player and an MVP candidate year in and year out. Goldschmidt might be underrated nationally, but he deserves more recognition than he gets.

In the last 30 days, Goldschmidt is second in the National League with a .476 on-base percentage and 27 RBIs. In the same span, Goldschmidt is tied with Freddie Freeman for second in the NL with a 1.8 WAR behind Bryce Harper (2.4).

In 2017, with the All-Star game looming, only Freddie Freeman has a higher WAR in the National League. It is going to be a heated completion for the starting spot in Miami with Goldschmidt, Freeman, Ryan Zimmerman and Eric Thames all having great seasons.

Injury Notes

• Chris Iannetta was placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list after being hit in the mouth by a 93 mph fastball from Pittsburg Pirates reliever Johnny Barbato. Jeff Mathis and Chris Herrmann will split catching duties.
• A.J. Pollock was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a Grade 1 right groin strain Monday. Rey Fuentes was called up from Triple-A Reno and will share center field duties with Gregor Blanco. Reliever Enrique Burgos was designated for assignment to make room for Fuentes on the 40-man roster.

"Arizona Diamondbacks: Peralta and Lamb are raking against the shift"

David Peralta came out of Sunday’s game with tightness in his right glute. The right fielder pinch hit Monday in the seventh inning and flew out to center. Before Monday’s game, Peralta said he felt fine, but the Diamondbacks did not have him in the starting lineup for precautionary reasons.