Feb 12, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks executive vice president & general manager, Kevin Towers looks on during camp at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
The Diamondbacks might have lost some their pitching depth when they traded guys like Jarrod Parker, Tyler Skaggs, and Trevor Bauer over the past couple of the years, but they still have depth in other area’s of the diamond. In particular this team has depth in the middle of the infield at 2B and SS. Its a good problem to have for any team, depth at any position, in any sport, and its no exception.
Second baseman Aaron Hill, shortstop Chris Owings, and infielder Didi Gregorius are all in the major leagues, and shortstop Nick Ahmed who I saw alot during spring training at Salt River Fields is raking at the plate and playing a solid SS at Triple A Reno. General Manager Kevin Towers thinks that he has four quality MLB infielders.
Towers talked to the Doug and Wolf Show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM about the depth in the middle infield: “It’s a good problem to have,” Towers said.
Aaron Hill has had a poor 2014 season hitting .250 with just five homers after an injury filled 2013 season. The veteran had his best season with the Dbacks in 2011 when he hit .302 and 26 home runs and won a silver slugger. He just hasn’t been the same player sense, and he is still owed 12 million in each of the next couple of seasons.
Despite all of this, Towers is still a big fan of Hill: “We still like Aaron Hill a great deal too,” Towers said. “Aaron Hill’s a proven professional hitter… I’m still a big Aaron Hill fan.”
If the Diamondbacks continue to slide this season and finish under .500 changes have to be made. That started with Trevor Cahill getting sent down to the minors, and guys like Eric Chavez, Cody Ross, Bronson Arroyo, and Brandon McCarthy are on rumor block.
Hill should be on the block as well. Despite not winning the shortstop battle in spring training, Didi Gregorius was raking in Triple A and he is playing a lot of second base because Chris Owings is developing into a superstar. I think this team needs to start planning for the future, and down the road Hill isn’t going to be here. Gregorius and Owings will make a nice middle of the infield and it needs to start now.