Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Ryan Wheeler (21) on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Image: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

So, as Ryan Roberts was unable to anchor his position for the majority of the season, the Dbacks made a second move to try to upgrade their lowly numbers on the hot corner- the first [failed] attempt was Josh Bell. It took only five days following Wheeler’s arrival for the organization to shake up the position once again with the demotion of Ryan Roberts to AAA Reno making a trade for the fan favorite easier as he was later dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays that afternoon.

In one week Wheeler went from the minor league leader in RBI’s to the starting third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks- but Kevin Towers wasn’t finished. Four days later, on July 29th, Towers dealt for Astros third baseman Chris Johnson and just like that Wheeler’s starting role shifted to that of a platoon player. Like most initial call-ups for rookies, this one was a whirlwind for Wheeler.

Now Wheeler is faced with a difficult position as he tries to acclimate to major league pitching while receiving spotty at bats in pressure situations late in games. He is facing hard throwing relievers who are in the game to specifically retire hitters like Wheeler. While never knowing when his next at bat will come he also isn’t afforded the luxury of adjusting his approach from one at bat to the next. An adjustment for sure as the fifth round pick in 2009 had started in 93 of the Aces’ 99 games this season before being promoted.

Since the acquisition of Johnson, the 24 year old hasn’t started a game and has received just six at bats- all pinch hit appearances. He is 1 for 6 in these at bats collecting his first career pinch hit single against the Pirates on Tuesday evening. For the season Wheeler is 4 for 19 (.211) with one career double that also netted his first career-and only- RBI. Despite leading the Reno Aces in homeruns in 2012, Wheeler believes it is his gap-to-gap hitting approach that will translate into success in the majors. He is still looking for his first career multi-hit effort and it may be a while before the rookie is given the opportunity with the way Chris Johnson has been hitting the ball for the team.

Still, being used in these situations isn’t all bad for Wheeler as he is able to absorb the big league pace of the game while learning from the Dbacks on the field. Hopefully easing the 6′ 3″ rookie into the major leagues with a mid season call-up will allow him to be more prepared when he is needed in September and potentially as an everyday infielder for years to come. Either way Wheeler isn’t complaining, “I don’t know what exactly is in store for me here. It doesn’t matter to me, I’m just happy to be here.” After all there isn’t much to complain about when you’re 24 years old and wearing a Diamondbacks uniform right in the middle of a race to win the N.L. West.

Image: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

The later is what actually happened as the D-backs called up Ryan Wheeler from Triple-A Reno.

Wheeler was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 amateur draft out of Loyola Marymount University. He is listed at 6’3″ and 235 lbs. on the Reno Aces team site but is probably a bit heavier than that.

Wheeler has played 3B in 49 games this season but has also played 32 at 1B and 10 in LF. His defensive acumen, or lack thereof, at 3B lead many to believe he will not play there in the majors.

Unfortunately for the D-backs, that is the one position on the diamond that is the most easily upgraded.

Ryan Roberts, Josh Bell, Cody Ransom, and Willie Bloomquist have not been able to hold down 3B this season and the D-backs have really struggled to find any offensive output from the position.

The D-backs 3B have combined for a putrid .632 OPS for the season at 3B. That is by far the worst number of all eight fielding positions for the D-backs.

And Wheeler should be able to help out with his bat.

This year at Reno, (It should be noted that Reno is an extreme hitters’ park. Imagine Coors field with everybody on steroids) Wheeler is hitting .351 with a .572 slugging percentage. That’s inflated and Wheeler wouldn’t come anywhere close to those averages in the majors.

A more realistic upside for Wheeler is his 2011 stats in Double-A Mobile. Wheeler hit .294 with a .465 slugging. If he hits close to that, the D-backs will find room for him on the roster even if he isn’t able to play 3B like I’m sure many are hoping he can.

The most likely scenario for Wheeler is as a platoon mate for Paul Goldschmidt. Wheeler is a lefty hitter and destroys right-handed pitching and struggles against lefties. Paul Goldschmidt on the other hand is ungodly against lefties and struggles a bit against right handers. It’s possible that Wheeler and Goldschmidt could create a platoon tandem that is devastating against lefties and righties.

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field last year. Image: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

“We talked about maybe having him play a game or two in Mobile since we’re on the East Coast, I think our trainer was going to talk to him about that,” General manager Kevin Towers said. “And then hopefully activate him on Wednesday.”

It was made official this morning and Drew is to report to the Diamondbacks Double A affiliate Mobile BayBears to play both Sunday and Monday night before heading to Atlanta on Tuesday to rejoin the team- assuming no further setbacks. Drew has played his last nine games with the AAA Reno Aces batting .250 with a pair of homeruns in 32 at bats.

Originally, manager Kirk Gibson had stated that they only wanted to activate the shortstop when he was ready to play on an every-single-day basis but now it seems they’re prepared to play him on an irregular basis to ease him back into the big leagues. Which means the team will have to option someone to the minors- most likely Josh Bell- to make room for Drew and will have a trio of shortstops on the roster with Willie Bloomquist, John McDonald and Drew.

Both Bloomquist and McDonald have been excellent all season at shortstop combining for the best fielding percentage at their position in the National League. Bloomquist is hitting .288 with 12 doubles and 5 triples in 52 games this year. McDonald, known exclusively for his premier defense, is batting .280 in 82 at bats when filling in for Bloomquist and has hit four homeruns and seven doubles already. Frankly, Bloomquist has earned the right to remain the everyday starter with Drew filling in for him to get his reps until he is ready to return to everyday playing. McDonald may have to split time with Roberts at third base as well as fill in for Aaron Hill at second. All this assuming- of course- that Bell is the man sent down.

Drew is a lifetime .270 hitter but has a knack for extra bases and driving in runs as he had four consecutive seasons from 2007-2010 with at least 28 doubles and recorded 39 triples in that span.

Drew will become a free agent after this season with a mutual option of $10 million or a club buyout of $1.35 million. Whether Drew will be able to make an impact this season is yet to be seen although you’d have to think the team will be happy to see the 29 year old back in the clubhouse this season and hopefully next spring as well. 

Follow me on Twitter at @ndougherty313 and our team at @venomstrikes.