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‘Tis the season for MLB teams to field not only grounders, but questions. For the D-backs, some of the most pressing questions during Spring Training include: pitching rotation, starting shortstop, bullpen pecking order, Adam Eaton's readiness, and perhaps whether the "Up-town" signage will appear on Craigslist?

Speaking of the guy we dubbed Justin "Upside," we'd like to add another question: why does the "D" in D-back seldom stand for -- Develop?

At least, here in the A-Z, that is. Jarrod Parker? Sure. He developed. He's a perfect example of a former first round pick who flourished just fine -- for the Oakland A's last season.

Carlos Gonzalez? Once upon a time, the now two-time All-Star, 2010 batting champ and Gold Glove winner was D-backs' property. Alas, he's still in the division -- with the Colorado Rockies.

Carlos Quentin. Stephen Drew. And yet again, the D-backs have traded away a pair of former first round picks in Justin Upton and Trevor Bauer.

Should we rewind back to draft day and recall how the Snakes waxed euphoric about the skills, talent, tools, athleticism, mental makeup, intangibles, pedigree, DNA, hygiene…etc., etc.?

Nah. Because, here in 2013, all those attributes are no longer wearing Sedona Red. So instead, here's the question we are wondering about: why is that, exactly? Paulie Pattern looks at the raw data of prospect after prospect, year after year, and a thought bubble pops up with the Vince Lombardi sideline quote: "What the heck is going on out here?!"

Should we diagnose our local baseball team as the A.D.D.-backs? Do they lose focus and attention with their own roster?

And, let's be clear, just like D-backs fans who were booing last summer, we were just as frustrated that Justin Up-side had regressed to just that -- more potential than production. #Ding.

We get it. But we also wonder -- whose fault is that? Chicken or the egg? Did the player fail to develop for the club? Or did the club fail to develop the player? I mean, how many prospects can we name in the past decade with more pure baseball gifts in the past decade than J-Upside?

In baseball, if a player's "prime" is typically defined as 27-32 years of age, the D-backs just pulled the rip cord two years early. Again.

Then, you know what else we get? Nauseous. Sick to our stomach at the thought that Upton might grow up to be the next Carlos Gonzalez. Or even better, which would make it worse.

When you hit the "zoom out" button, here's where the D-backs have gone wrong: too quick to elevate and too quick to detonate.

This takes us back to the erstwhile "Uptown" signage in right field.

"Yeah probably wouldn't have done it and it's because we put so much pressure on that kid at a time when we probably shouldn't have," CEO Derrick Hall reflected on Arizona Sports 620. "He could have made comments the last couple of years and he never did and I credit him for that. But that's a lot of pressure to put on someone."

Here on this Valentine's Day, we wonder - shouldn't the D-backs show more love for their own?

Paul Calvisi, Morning Sports Anchor - 92.3 KTAR/Arizona Sports 620

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  • Abuse
    DrSublime wrote...
    sad
    they could have had an outfield of Upton, Gonzalez and Quentin and an infield of Goldschmidt, Uggla, Drew, Montero and Reynolds all former d-backs or d-back minor leagers
  • Abuse
    red7037 wrote...
    Can't blame towers and co
    For Cargo, Quentin, or Uggla.....those guys were shipped out before his tenure. Reynolds was a joke, breaks his own strikeout record every year, and is on his third team in 4 years. Here is something funny, over a 19 yr career Ted Williams had 709 career strikeouts (I know one of the greatest hitters of all time, so hard to compare), and over Reynolds 6 yr career he has 1122 Strikeouts, I say good riddance.
  • Abuse
    mesa mad man wrote...
    @DrSublime
    Its easy to say that. If we have Gonzalez and Quentin, we potentially never get Haren who had some mighty fine years here (noth Chris Carter and Gonzalez were in that deal), and in turn never get Skaggs who could potentially be a pillar of our rotation or Corbin. We keep Sherzer, we never get Edwin Jackson or Ian Kennedy, and then never get Daniel Hudson or Holmberg.
  • Abuse
    DisgustedD wrote...
    Cargo
    one hurts but that is in hindsight because they were thinking we would have had Dan Haren & a healthy Brandon Webb for 2 solid starters. Quentin kept getting hurt which the Sox & Padres have learned. Drew & Upton I am going to miss but Upton is getting paid a lot of money for average #'s. I bet Eaton will be awesome for us at the top of the order & A Hill will replace J-Up in #'s along with Prado. We improved 2 positions in the field with Upton's departure.
  • Abuse
    ollieburger wrote...
    D Backs Young Players
    We dont have the best management around.It seems they always trade off the better players to quickly.Upton I agree he is what he is going to be up and down his whole run in the bigs .Many of the others were traded to quick, takes time to make the majors .another point is dont use Mark Grace for anything he needs a few years proving he is a good human (ya know what I mean)We dont need this for our fans ,if you really want any.
  • Abuse
    Chandler59 wrote...
    PC
    Yes I am a J Up fan and hope that he becomes a superstar MVP not just the best hitter the DBacks have had (and may have in the outfield for some time) in the past 5 years. He needs someone to push him in the work ethic area and I'm not sure his big bro is the right guy. Too bad Chippers not playing.
  • Abuse
    Chandler59 wrote...
    Cont.
    But as big an Upton fan I am a bigger Gibby fan. So I hope this group of players can find the MoJo. Still love Miggy (as much as J Up but for different reasons) and if the new guy at third has a big year the future will look better. I'm a Parra fan and hope the Cody Kid can stay healthy and blossom. If the closer has another good year we could be playoff contenders again. Though World Series contenders (I bet that's the only real thing that Gibby cares to consider as a goal) will require a couple guys to have career years in my opinion
  • Abuse
    Chandler59 wrote...
    Cont.
    Still the reality of replacing a .285-.310 hitter with power is harder than just numbers. When he was healthy teams had to pitch around J Up. And it's been my observation that one solid hitter raises the core groups OBP and RBI's etc. I think teams play a .300 hitter in the 3 hole differently than in the 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8 spots. I remain a fan but muzzled. Not as quiet as when Moreno didn't get to buy a big piece of the team and not as excited as when they got Gibby and even better when they kept him. 
  • Abuse
    Chandler59 wrote...
    PC
    Since I'm at it. Who doesn't love Goldy and is that Hill for real!
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