3 Reasons Why Chip Hale Has Been Good for the Arizona Diamondbacks

Jun 1, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Chris Owings (16) dives for the ball against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

3-No juggling of positions in the field

Pollock is the center fielder. Period. Inciarte and David Peralta split time in left field and when Tomas is not in the lineup, Peralta moves to right field. Nick Ahmed is the shortstop with Owings at second and Aaron Hill floating between second and third. Under Gibson, Owings would be at second today and short tomorrow with Inciarte starting in all three outfield spots in one week. This is not to say Major Leaguers can’t handle this type of rotation. However, I could imagine it was a little frustrating for certain players to be bounced around the field like a yo-yo.

Like the lineup, does keeping the same defensive alignment correlate with an improved baseball? Again, that can be debated. What can’t be debated is that there is a different Arizona Diamondback team in 2015 that there was in 2014. It is not just reflected in the won-loss record. The talent is better, the injuries are fewer. However, some of the success has to be attributed to the new manager. Call it the honeymoon period or whatever else you please. Chip Hale has done a good job with the D’backs that, like most things about Arizona baseball, is flying under the radar.