The Bullpen, I’m so sorry Diamondbacks Fans
Taylor Clarke: Clarke is in the Minors now thankfully. This year just has not been his year. He’s been hit hard and given up tons of runs. He was injured for a large portion of the year. Yet, that doesn’t excuse how awful he’s performed. This was his first full year in the bullpen after losing a rotation spot to Widener. His overall stats this year are across 43.1 innings, 1-3, 52 hits, 28 runs allowed, 14 walks, 39 K’s, 4.98 ERA, and a better but still not great 3.53 FIP.
Stefan Crichton: You were the chosen one! After excelling as the team’s closer for the latter part of 2019 and 2020, he was expected to take a lead role in the bullpen this season. Alas, that’s the opposite of what happened. He started the season roughly. Ended up going down to Triple-AAA before coming back up for a short stint. He struggled once again and is back in Reno. His awful stat line for this year is 0-4, 31 games, 4 saves, 23.1 innings. 33 hits, 12 walks, 17 K’s, 7.33 ERA, and a 5.43 FIP. Ouch! Hopefully, over the off-season, he can smooth out his kinks and get back to 2019/20 Crichton.
Chris Devenski: This man is the only one still on the MLB roster, if only because he’s on the 60-Day IL. That’s right, the Dragon is out for the rest of the year due to Tommy John Surgery. It’s super sad as he had an excellent Spring Training to earn a roster spot. I had high hopes for him. If only he didn’t get injured. In the 8 games he pitched in, he had a rough start to the year. His season will end with a line of 1-0, 1 save, 7.1 innings, 11 hits, 2 walks, 5 K’s, 8.59 ERA, and a 6.57 FIP.
Kevin Ginkel: What in the world happened to Ginkel? He had so much potential. I truly considered him the closer of the future for the team after his 2019 performance. He struggled in 2020 as did many players. I basically wrote off 2020 for every player due to how few games were played. I really hope he figures it out over the offseason as we could sure use him. Unfortunately, he is out for the rest of the season due to an injury he suffered while with Reno. His season with the Dbacks ends with a line of 0-1, 32 games, 28.1 innings, 30 hits, 14 walks, 31 K’s, 6.35 ERA, and a 5.88 FIP.
Yoan Lopez: Yoan was supposed to be one of the next great Cuban stars in the MLB after signing for a massive 8 million dollar bonus by former GM Dave Stewart in 2015/16. Alas, he ended up in the bullpen where he showed some potential. Unfortunately, he was far too inconsistent and unable to avoid contact. After multiple bad showings, he was sent to the minors. He didn’t pitch any better there and the team eventually traded him to the Atlanta Braves. He’s currently playing in the Braves minor league system. His MLB stats with the Dbacks are 13 games, 12.1 innings, 18 hits, 10 runs, 6 walks, 13 K’s, 6.57 ERA, and a 5.67 FIP. Those numbers are abysmal in the MLB.
Riley Smith: Riley Smith was a young up-and-coming pitcher who had a good Spring Training. He impressed the coaches enough to earn a spot on the MLB roster. He just never was able to settle in. The team was constantly switching him between the rotation and bullpen. He had to make multiple spot-starts. As a younger player, I’m not surprised the volatility of his role affected his playing. His FIP is almost 1.5 points lower than his ERA. He lost his roster spot when he got Covid. Upon his return, he was sent to the minors where he later got hurt. He’s expected to miss the rest of the season. Hope he can come back strong in February! His final stat line is 1-4, 24 games, 6 started, 1 save, 67.1 innings, 86 hits, 15 walks, 36 K’s, 6.01 ERA, and a 4.87 ERA.
Joakim Soria: Joakim is a valley native who loved pitching in the valley while he was here. If only he hadn’t gotten hurt when the season began. That threw the season off for him. Upon his return, he struggled but eventually got going. He ended his Dbacks time strong with multiple scoreless outings/saves. At the trade deadline, he was traded to the Blue Jays for prospects. Soria’s been a great help for a Blue Jays team pushing for the playoffs. Let’s hope he and Robbie Ray can make the playoffs this year. His stat-line with the Diamondbacks are 31 games, 1-4, 6 saves, 29.1 innings, 8 walks, 31 K’s, 4.30 ERA, and a better 3.74 FIP.
Alex Young: Alex Young is a talented left-hander who pitched great for the team from 2019-2020. The bottom-line stats may have said otherwise, but he pitched rather well. This year, the wheels came off the wagon. He cratered in terms of results and on-field play. It was like a different player was out there. At this point, with so many pitchers struggling, one has to look at the pitching coach, Matt Herges, as being responsible. In late July, the team placed Young on waivers where he was claimed by the Cleveland Indians. He’s currently playing in the MLB with the Indians after being called up. Hope he can prove the Diamondbacks wrong for letting him go. His stats in the desert this year are 30 games, 2 started, 2-6, 41.2 innings, 50 hits, 20 walks, 38 K’s, 6.26 ERA, and an equal 6.28 FIP.