Diamondbacks spring training: Studs and duds from the weekend
Stud: OF Pavin Smith
Yes, I am aware, the Diamondbacks have only played 3 spring training games. The team leader in ABs is Pavin and he only has 6. But hey, a lot can happen in 6 ABs and Smith certainly made the most out of his…
Smith kickstarted his spring with a bang yesterday. In the top of the 4th, Arizona already down 9-0, Smith stepped into the box and launched a deep home run to right field. No doubt about it as soon as the ball met the bat. In the process, Corbin Carroll scored from first, making it a 9-2 ball game. Smith finished the weekend with 3 hits, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs in 6 ABs. Not too shabby…
Stud: RP Miguel Castro
I guess you could say Castro had a tad bit of success over the weekend. In 1 inning pitched, Castro pitched a 1-2-3 innning. He struck out not 1, not 2, but every Rockies hitter he faced…
Adding Miguel Castro to the bullpen was a sneaky good move for the Diamondbacks this offseason. The Diamondbacks signed the veteran relief pitcher in December. He enjoyed back-to-back solid seasons; in 2021, Castro recorded 9 holds and posted a 3.45 ERA over 70.1 innings with the Mets. For 2022, he switched teams but stayed in the same state. For the Yankees, Castro went 5-0 with a 4.03 ERA across 29 innings in 22’…
Dud: SS Jordan Lawlar
Lawlar did make a sensational catch in shallow left field over the weekend, but that catch couldn’t overshadow the fact that he struggled at the plate. In 4 ABs, Lawlar went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts…
But hey, the kid is young and still learning. Everyone who has seen Lawlar play or has looked at his numbers knows that he can hit. In 2022, Lawlar spent most of his time with Arizona’s low A team the Visalia Rawhide. In 44 low A games, Lawlar hit 9 HRs, 32 RBIs, and posted a 1.050 OPS. Give this kid more ABs and he could be a star MLB shortstop…
Dud: P Connor Grammes
Saturday was a rough day for Connor to say the least. The 25-year-old probably lived his worst nightmare on a baseball field. Here is how the top of the 5th went for Grammes: Walk, single, RBI double, hit by pitch, RBI single, pulled from the game…
A 5th-round pick by the D-backs in 2019, Grammes is looking to turn his pro career around in 2023. From 2019-2022, Grammes has pitched 60.1 minor league innings and currently holds a 7.16 ERA. Not good, not good at all; hopefully, 2023 is the year for a Connor Grammes resurgence…