Unlikely D-backs performances: By the numbers
May 23, 2016, 12:32 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas (24), center fielder Chris Owings (16) and right fielder Michael Bourn (1) celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game, Sunday, May 22, 2016, in St. Louis. The Diamondbacks won the game 7-2. (AP Photo/Billy Hurst)
(AP Photo/Billy Hurst)
Through 46 games, the best and the worst performers of the 2016 Diamondbacks probably aren’t who you would have predicted.
In fact, almost nothing about this team has gone according to plan.
Paul Goldschmidt is hitting just .245, Jean Segura has the team’s top batting average and Chris Owings has a share of the major-league lead in triples. Meanwhile, the marquee pitchers who were acquired last offseason have been pitching significantly below expectations.
Through nearly two months of play, here are the most staggering stats from the 2016 Arizona Diamondbacks.
3.11
The difference between Zack Greinke’s current ERA (4.59) and his ERA at this time last year (1.48). Through his first five starts in 2016, Greinke posted a 6.16 ERA. Encouragingly, in his last five starts, he’s put up a much more manageable 3.18 ERA.
6.64
Shelby Miller’s ERA has ballooned well above the 3.02 mark he put up last year in his All-Star season. He’s walked nearly as many hitters as he’s struck out (25 to 27), and opponents are hitting a whopping .302 against him.
.321
The batting average of Jean Segura, the leading hitter on a roster that includes Paul Goldschmidt. Coming into play on May 23 of last season, Segura was hitting just .262 with 12 RBI. In 2016, he’s driven in 23 runs.
4
Triples hit by Chris Owings, who is tied for the MLB lead and had only five all last year. His .294 batting average is third on the team behind Segura and rookie Brandon Drury, and is a pleasant surprise from a player who hit just .227 in 2015.
3
Number of starting pitchers with an ERA above four (and Corbin is at 3.99). Rubby De La Rosa leads the rotation with a 3.53 ERA, a surprising frontrunner who put up a 4.67 ERA and 1.371 WHIP in 2015.
15
The D-backs have used 15 different arms out of the bullpen this year. In all of 2015, they had 21 – including September call-ups.
5
The D-backs are fifth in all of baseball in team batting average, behind the Marlins, Rockies, Pirates and Red Sox. Arizona should know the Rockies’ offensive capabilities quite well; the Blake Street Bombers have hit .292 at Chase Field this year with 40 runs scored in six games.
37
A.J. Pollock and David Peralta are both on the disabled list, a painful loss considering the two outfielders combined for 37 home runs in 2015.
.400
The batting average of Nick Ahmed in his last seven games (8-for-20). Ahmed is hitting just .205 on the season.
