2023 Diamondbacks: Top performers at the plate, in the field, and on the mound

What a crucial week coming up for this franchise.

A series against the White Sox and a series against the Astros will decide this team’s postseason fate.  Lucky for Arizona, the White Sox have the worst record in the MLB since the all-star break.

What’s not lucky for Arizona is that they have to send Zach Davies to the mound to start the game tonight.  In his last 3 starts, he has given up 11 earned runs in 11 innings pitched (9.00 ERA).

The D-backs may have to lean on second basemen Ketel Marte to produce some runs in the series opener.  In his last 11 games, he has 13 hits, 7 RBIs, and an OPS over 1.000.

Speaking of impressive numbers, when you look at league-wide stats this season, you may not think that you would see some of your beloved Diamondbacks in the top 5 in certain categories.  But that is not the case in the slightest.

There are Arziona players littered across the top of the leaderboards in certain stats.  So let’s take a deep dive into what players have led this team in each phase of the game.

Diamondbacks top performers at the plate

My goal is to show you what Arizona players are in the top 5 (or top 5 percent) in certain stats.  Let’s begin with the madman, Corbin Carroll.

The rookie is all across the leaderboard.  Does this even surprise you?  He is a rookie and he is in the top 20 in WAR league-wide.  The kid is going to be a phenom.  

Carroll is in the top 10 in a lot of categories, but here is where he has excelled most this season; Carroll is currently, 1st in triples (tied with Ketel Marte), 3rd in steals, and he is in the top 1 percent in sprint speed.  He is also just on the outside looking in when it comes to runs scored (6th).  Incredible.

There is only one more player who is top 5 in something.  Just as everyone guessed, it’s Geraldo Perdomo.

Perdomo is in the top 5 percent in chase and whiff rate.  Throw a slider just off the outside corner, he ain’t chasing it.  Throw a curveball in the dirt, he ain’t chasing it.  Throw a fastball at his eyes, and well you get the idea.

Perdomo is as disciplined as they come in the box.

Diamondbacks top performers in the field

Yes I know, defense doesn’t matter, right?  Well, I call bologna on that theory.

Your D-backs have some defensive specialist on their team.  The most talented of them all?  catcher Gabriel Moreno.

Moreno leads the league in defensive WAR and caught stealing above average.  He has a quick release and a cannon of an arm.  Maybe he should back up Joshua Dobbs after the baseball season is over…

If you are a true Diamondbacks fan, you should be able to guess who the other defensive specialist on this team is.  Yes, you are correct, first baseman Christian Walker.

Walker has been as good as they come over the last few seasons.  This year, he is in the top 3% in outs above average among all fielders.  Among first basemen, he is 1st in that department.

Diamondbacks top performers on the mound

Without a doubt, pitching has been the weakest link of this Arizona team.  They rank 20th in baseball in team ERA.  Ironically, they have a lot of pitchers in the top 5 (or top 5 percent) in respective categories.

Let’s start out with the top dog; Zac Gallen.  Gallen is having a strong 2023 campaign.  He is 2nd in the MLB in wins and innings pitched.  Compared to last season, Gallen has regressed, but you can’t be that disappointed with a pitcher who has 17 wins and a 3.49 ERA.

Now on to the bullpen.  Trade deadline acquisition Paul Sewald has a beautiful baseball-savant page.  Sewald is in the top 5 percent in the following: expected ERA, expected batting average, average exit velocity, strikeout percentage, and hard hit percentage.  Unreal. 

Rounding out the pack are Kyle Nelson and Miguel Castro.  Nelson is incredibly in the top 1 percent in chase rate.  As for Castro, he is in the top 3 percent in hard-hit percentage.

What player surprised you the most on this list?