On February 25, I wrote a text in which I talked about one of my favorite teams for the 2023 season: the Arizona Diamondbacks. In this paper, I explained how the club was, in my eyes, a young formation which risked making noise and, who knows, was going to potentially confuse the cards.
I even dared to say that I saw them at the height of the race for the playoffs, which was quite daring at that time. However, I liked the core of the club and I had confidence to see Corbin Carroll and Zac Gallen lead the troops to their destination.
A little over three months later, with a third of the season already behind us, the Diamondbacks almost make me look like a pessimist. In fact, as of June 2, they are currently 34-23.
That’s good for third place in the Majors, but more importantly, it’s good for first place in the National West (tied with the Dodgers).
At this moment, the DBacks do what the Padres can’t: challenge the Dodgers for the top of the division. In fact, the two clubs have the best record in the National and only the Rays (40-18) and the Rangers (35-20) do better than them.
Although I believed in them, the fact remains that I too am a little surprised to see them being Also good.
How can these successes be explained? Two names: Corbin Carroll and Zac Gallen.
Carroll was the organization’s #1 prospect last year and graduated late last season. He had done well, and this year he is the one who pulls the club up.
Yesterday, it was thanks to him that the Diamondbacks won a fifth consecutive victory.
In 54 games this season, he’s hitting .287/.372/.516 along with hitting nine home runs, stealing 16 bases and playing excellent defense all over the outfield.
Do I need to remind you that we are talking about a green recruit here?
Before the start of the season, I predicted that Carroll would win Nationals Rookie of the Year. If he continues like this, not only will he easily win it, but he will earn votes for the title of MVP.
And speaking of my predictions for the honors, I also predicted a Cy Young for Zac Gallen, the club’s pitching ace. He is also having a very good season (7-2 record, 2.72 ERA, WHIP of 1.032), and at home he is downright untouchable.
When we add the very solid contributions of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Ketel Marte, Gabriel Moreno, Christian Walker and Geraldo Perdomo in attack as well as those of Madison Bumgarner Merrill Kelly, Tommy Henry and a bullpen doing great work, the ingredients are there for the club to win games.
I still have some doubts about the succession, but so far it is very solid.
It’s time for the rest of the league to take the Diamondbacks seriously. We’re talking about a club that has the resources to compete with anyone, including the Dodgers.
And on the eve of a big three-game series against the Braves (while the Dodgers will cross swords with the Yankees), they will have the opportunity to prove themselves again.
It is up to them to continue to silence their detractors.
