Chris Herrmann has had more of an impact than most realize

Before last Saturday’s game against the Pirates, Chip Hale put together his lineup as he does everyday and when it was released for all to see, many fans on social media weren’t in a good mood. This had a lot to do with Hale’s decision to sit Welington Castillo and give Chris Herrmann the start behind the plate working with the Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa.

Castillo had just hit two home runs the night before, and it seemed like his bat was finally starting to come around. Meanwhile, Herrmann in 20 at-bats, was hitting .050.

The same process was in play before last week’s Throwback Thursday game against the Cardinals. Hale said before the ball game that he liked the Herrmann/De la Rosa pair, and after the victory, Hale said during his presser that he really likes the idea of starting Herrmann when Rubby pitches, and that’s perfect because Herrmann has to get some starts especially with the way he is hitting the ball.

Herrmann stepped up at the plate last night with a huge two-run home run off Cardinals starter Michael Wacha after a bloop double by Brandon Drury with one out in the second inning to give the D-backs the lead at 2-0.

Last Saturday against the Pirates, Herrmann drove in four with a double and a home run, and hit a home run Thursday as well. He is so valuable at the plate as another left-handed option for Hale especially against righties, which is why tonight’s start worked out perfectly. He also had a 2-for-4 day this weekend, so he has kept on rolling.

For all those that were calling for Goesewisch instead of Herrmann as the backup catcher to start the year, Hermann has already proved his worth: he is working well with the pitchers behind the plate, especially with Rubby, and he is contributing with extra-base hits at the plate. These are the backup performances you need from time to time.