Who runs the Diamondbacks? The Front Office explained
Who runs the Diamondbacks? The Front Office explained
The Arizona Diamondbacks are not a faceless organization. They have many executives that are out in the public and talking to reporters about the team. Some of them are well known, whereas others are not. Yet, everyone holds an important role in preparing our favorite team for MLB play.
In this slideshow, I will go through some of the most important people in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. If you want the complete layout of the Diamondbacks organization, click here. Let’s start from the top shall we?
Owner and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks
Owner and Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick:
Ken Kendrick has owned the Diamondbacks since 2004 when he purchased the majority shares of the team from Jerry Colangelo. Ken helped bring the team to Arizona originally in 1998 by being a minority owner. He is not often in the spotlight when it comes to interaction with fans or media. If you want some more information, check out this recent article from Venom Strikes on Kendrick!
President and CEO Derrick Hall:
Now Derrick Hall is the spokesperson for the Diamondbacks. He is the one doing the majority of the interviews with fans and media. He goes on broadcasts, interacts with fans, and does Twitter AMA’s. Derrick is the 4th longest CEO in MLB today. Derrick has been instrumental in developing a positive work culture within the Dbacks. He has changed the culture of organization and made the Dbacks one of the best places to work. He’s seen as a leader in the Valley and someone who actually cares about the average fan and citizen in Arizona.
Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Hazen:
Mike Hazen is the Diamondbacks General Manager. He is responsible for everything regarding the players and coaches. He is the one who signs, trades, and releases players. He came to Arizona after a highly successful time with the Red Sox. He has been the GM of the team since 2017. In that time, he’s been successful in keeping the team competitive for three years in a row, including the playoffs in 2017. He has also remade the teams’ Minor League system since 2017 when it ranked near the bottom of the MLB. Now, the team is in the top 10, and even top 5 for some people. Mike’s hard work is beginning to show as we see many rookies drafted/acquired from his time with the team reach the MLB this year. Quick ask for prayers for Mike’s family and wife as she battles cancer right now.
Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager Amiel Sawdaye:
Amiel came over to the Diamondbacks organization with Mike Hazen in 2017. He’s been crucial in helping Hazen develop the team through these last few years. He is seen as a rising star in the GM world of baseball having had interviews with teams in recent years. He’s taken on more of a role this year due to Hazen’s family emergency.
Special Assistant to the CEO J.J. Putz:
Now I hope you all remember Putz, a former closer for the Diamondbacks. He played in 12 seasons across multiple teams in the MLB. He was a critical part of the division winning team in 2011. He has been with the Diamondbacks organization ever since he retired. He holds a variety of duties for the team. You’ll often see him talking to fans during Diamondbacks games at Chase Field. J.J.’s beyond funny and even has a Diamondbacks little league field named after him. He serves on multiple charity boards as well.
Special Assistant to the CEO Randy Johnson:
Now you know who Randy is. He’s known for his amazing photography. Well, he’s also known for being a Hall of Fame pitcher from the Diamondbacks who won the World Series in 2001. He has won countless awards and was the second player to have his number retired by the team. Randy is widely loved and admired from all fans. You can see him at games or in the Minor Leagues helping young pitchers. He’s another face of the franchise in many events. The street outside Chase Field is named “Randy Johnson Way” to honor him too.
Special Assistant to the CEO Luis Gonzalez:
You all know the man who hit the walk-off hit for the Dbacks to win the World Series in 2001. He has worked for the team since he retired. He holds multiple records in the team’s history. He is a leader in the Valley Sports world and is always happy to interact with fans. He’s a spokesperson for the Diamondbacks at many events. Luis is also the back-up person for Dbacks broadcasts whether on TV or Radio. His son is in the Giants’ Minor League system. Luis is also a player mentor for all the players in the Dbacks organization.
Baseball Operations for the Diamondbacks
Vice President Research and Development Mike Fitzgerald :
Mike has been with the team for a while, rising through the ranks to his current role. He is in charge of all the analytics and data that help the Diamondbacks’ players get ready for their game. Mike has helped lead the Dbacks to become more analytically driven and engage the technological side of baseball. He also covers the Minor Leagues and reports directly to Mike Hazen.
Special Asst. to GM Burke Badenhop:
A former relief pitcher in the MLB, Burke works under Hazen. He helps in multiple facets whether it is scouting, analytics, coaching, or any other task that Hazen asks. Burke also is a journalist in his free time, having written for MLB Trade Rumors.
Pitching Strategist Dan Haren:
Yes, the Dan Haren of Twitter , and former Ace of the Diamondbacks, works for the team. He has worked for the team since he retired from the MLB. He focuses on preparing pitching game-plans for all the pitchers on the MLB team each game. He works closely mentoring and helping them. Dan is a former All-Star pitcher and fan favorite of the team. He has a baseball field named after him.
Director of Player Development Josh Barfield:
Josh Barfield is a former MLB player who now works as the man in charge of developing our players. He started as a scout with the team before rising to where he is now. His main task to make sure that our Minor League teams are doing well in coaching our players. Josh helps Hazen and Fitzgerald decide when to promote or demote a player. He aides in helping figure out how to fix a current issue that a player has. Josh is crucial to our future as a team. So far, he’s doing a good job getting the next wave of Diamondbacks ready to win.
Director of Amateur Scouting Deric Ladnier:
This man is one of the most important people in the Diamondbacks organization. He’s who ultimately has the biggest voice next to Mike Hazen on who to draft each year in the MLB Rookie Draft. He’s a former MLB player. He also directs the scouts who to scout. He reviews their reports and is instrumental in making sure we draft good players. Players that will represent the Dbacks well now and on the MLB level. He has been with the Dbacks since 2014. Deric was instrumental in getting Jordan Lawlar in this past draft. He’s close friends with Zack Greinke too and Greinke if you’re reading this, please come back to Arizona in off-season. Mike Hazen, please make it happen or at least hire Greinke when he retires.
Must Read. Find out who the Diamondbacks coaches are!. light
There’s so many more Diamondbacks executives that contribute to the best team. They are behind the scenes, the relative unknowns, and the ones that allow our team to play. We have some of the best people in the industry. I apologize if I missed one of you but know I appreciate you!
Til next time Dbacks fans,
May the Force be with You…