Zac Gallen Looks Sharp in First Live BP Session of Spring
Today marked the first full squad workout for the Diamondbacks this spring. The defending National League Champions put in over two and a half hours of hard work. They worked on team fundamentals, individual fundamentals, individual batting practice, then live batting practice to close it out.
"The first day of the entire camp being together for me is always a very special time," said manager Torey Lovullo. "When you get in front of them for the first time, and it's always very exciting... To get in front of them, make the introductions, outline what the expectations are, and keep plowing forward."
Lovullo himself experienced the support from the fan base, being asked to sign a lot of autographs today. He said it's his responsibility to represent the team when he puts the uniform on and connect with the fans.
The highlight of today's session came during live batting practice. Staff ace Zac Gallen was one of many pitchers who threw today, along with pitching prospects Yu-Min Lin, Bryce Jarvis and Cristian Mena. Gallen was sharp, facing five hitters with three strikeouts, a walk, and a rollover ground ball to the right side of the infield. He blew away Geraldo Perdomo and Christian Walker on elevated fastballs and got Eugenio Suárez fishing on a breaking ball. It was good to see the D-backs presumptive Opening Day starter look good out of the gate.
Another highlight came on the same field, when Geraldo Perdomo faced Lin. After a long at-bat, the D-backs starting shortstop hit a home run from the right side of the plate. Perdomo hit .242/.304/.274 against lefties last season with just two extra base hits in 71 plate appearances in 2023.
"He's done a great job of accepting coaching, improving in the right areas, and taking care of his business the right way. We've addressed the right-handed swing with Gerry before, and I've said it here, that he's going to be our everyday shortstop, maybe 135-140+. He knows that to get the reps that we want him to, he's got to be a very good right-handed hitter. For him to get a ball like that and hit it off of Lin, I know it probably felt good for him, but I know it's a lot of hard work that's going in behind the scenes. We need him to continue to grow and learn every single day."
Another topic in Lovullo's post-workout press conference was Corbin Carroll. The D-backs superstar and 2023 National League Rookie of the Year has become the on-field face of the franchise and has drawn quite the crowd at workouts. The D-backs manager noted a different demeanor from Carroll compared to a year ago.
"He might be a tad more natural, I don't want to say more comfortable because I think he's a fine young man. He says the right things, does the right things, and he's always in the right space. I would say more mature and understanding what he's got to get to without trying to fast-forward any of the process. He's a routine and process-oriented guy, and that's why he's so successful."
Jace Peterson was hit in the foot by a pitch while facing Cristian Mena. The journeyman infielder had played through a torn meniscus last season. Lovullo said he did not see it when it happened.
