ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale: ‘We’re going to do some special things’

Feb 26, 2015, 10:49 PM | Updated: 10:58 pm

LISTEN: Chip Hale, D-backs manager

The Arizona Diamondbacks won just 64 games in 2014, leading the organization to part with both its general manager and manager as well as make a significant number of changes to the roster.

While many feel the team is heading in the right direction, most are not expecting much of the team in 2015. In fact, another NL West-worst finish would not be a surprise to the majority of baseball.

But Chip Hale, the team’s first-year manager, disagrees. The way he sees it, his club may be like last year’s Kansas City Royals, a group he said was like a team of destiny.

“We’re going to do some special things,” he told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Thursday.

The D-backs last made the playoffs in 2011, but since then had season win totals of 81, 81 and last year’s 64. The roster boasts a perennial MVP candidate in first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, but after him, there are mostly question marks.

Some of those question marks are related to injuries; others to young players who have yet to produce for an entire 162-game season. If all goes well for the team, it’s very reasonable to think they’ll be one of baseball’s biggest surprises.

While that seems like a lot to ask for, Hale said he’s very pleased with roster that has been put together.

“I like the players,” he said. “I think we have championship-caliber players.”

The skipper said the team has “a whole lot of secret weapons” that, not unlike the A’s team he was with in 2012, create a roster of players who will compete hard in spring training and throughout the season. Having a bevvy of skilled-but-mostly-unproven pitchers in the rotation is something he sees as a positive.

“Remember, when you end up going into these championship situations, you’re not talking about 25 guys; you’re talking about 45 guys,” he said. “So we feel really good about the depth of our organization, the depth of our pitching staff.

“I think we have guys that teams have never seen — teams have never seen our pitchers, and that in itself creates issues in the major leagues. Hitters that have been around like to know what guys throw, and all of a sudden they’re facing guys they’ve never faced.”

Hale understands why people doubt his team, but is confident there is more talent on the roster than people seem to believe.

“The process is important, and how we play and how we teach is very important,” he said. “If we get that down I really, truly believe we can do some special things here.”

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blake Snell...

Associated Press

Blake Snell and San Francisco Giants agree to $62 million, 2-year contract, AP source says

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $62 million, two-year contract.

1 hour ago

Zac Gallen...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen named Opening Day starter

The Arizona Diamondbacks named Zac Gallen the starter for Opening Day on March 28 when the Colorado Rockies come to Chase Field.

3 hours ago

Merrill Kelly...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen building strong outings with Opening Day near

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly followed Zac Gallen's scoreless outing Sunday with one of his own Monday against the Athletics.

4 hours ago

Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder...

Kevin Zimmerman

D-backs’ Alek Thomas found confidence with just 2 swings in 2023 playoffs

Two Alek Thomas home runs during the 2023 playoff run for the Arizona Diamondbacks helped build his confidence. You can guess one of them.

7 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

NL West preview: Where do the Diamondbacks fit in a new-look division?

No division was more prevalent in the news cycle than the NL West. Here's a preview of the Dodgers, D-backs, Giants, Padres and Giants.

12 hours ago

Corbin Martin...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks option RHPs Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi in final week of spring training

The Diamondbacks continued to clear up roster battles by optioning pitchers Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi and Blake Walston Triple-A.

12 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale: ‘We’re going to do some special things’