2023 Diamondbacks: 3 pitchers that might surprise us
RP Kyle Nelson
Kyle Nelson was spectacular for the Diamondbacks in 2022. In 37 innings, Nelson went 2-1 with a stellar 2.19 ERA, a .194 BAA, and a 1.08 WHIP…
Yes, Nelson has already proven himself as a worthy southpaw out of the bullpen. But Nelson may surprise us with how much he perfects his craft. In 2022, Nelson relied on two pitches; a 4-seam fastball and a slider. Against Nelson’s fastball, batters averaged a weak .135 and slugged a weaker .162. That slugging percentage against his fastball ranked Nelson in the top 5 in all of baseball; accompanying him are names like Devin Williams and J.P. Feyereisen. If Nelson can tweak his slider to be more effective this season, do not be surprised if Nelson is representing the Diamondbacks in the mid-simmer classic; you heard it here first…
RP Mark Melancon
When you hear the name Mark Melancon, what do you think of? Do you think of a 10-loss, 4.66 ERA season? Or do you think of 18 saves out of 21 opportunities? Understandably, I could see you thinking of either…
Mark Melancon had an odd 2022 debut season with Arizona, to say the least. In 32.2 innings pitched at home, Melancon posted a 2-6 record, a 5.79 ERA, a 1.65 WHIP, and a .280 BAA. In 23.1 innings pitched on the road, however, Melancon produced a solid 3.09 ERA and 1.29 WHIP; and overall, Melancon recorded 18 saves out of 21 opportunities. The good, the bad, and the ugly: Mark Melancon edition. I smell a bounce-back season in the air for the Arizona veteran. In the two seasons leading up to Melancon signing with the D-backs, he was elite. In 2020, Melancon recorded 11 saves out of 13 opportunities and posted a 2.78 ERA with Atlanta. The following season with the Padres, Mealcnon recorded 39 saves out of 45 opportunities and posted an impressive 2.23 ERA. I predict Melancon will get back to that form in 23’...
SP Madison Bumgarner
This is more of a hope than a prediction. For the first 11 seasons of Bumgarner’s career, he pitched for the San Fransisco Giants. As a part of the Giants, Madison won 3 world series titles, 2 silver slugger awards, appeared in 4 all-star games, and won an NLCS and WS MVP award. With the Giants, he had a total record of 119-92 and a 3.13 ERA over 1,844 innings pitched. With the Diamondbacks, he has a total record of 15-29 and a 4.99 ERA over 346 innings pitched.
But hey, let’s stay optimistic. Just 4 years ago, Madison was a pitcher that posted a 3.90 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Bumgarner also has a pitch (changeup) that batters hit a mere .145 against a season ago. Maybe this is the season Bumgarner surprises us all, and earns what he’s getting paid…