How Are Former D-backs Faring in Spring Training?
The Arizona Diamondbacks have had many players play for their team over their 25-year history with quite a few becoming fan favorites. The same is true for players who might've hardly played for the team but were big pieces in trades that enabled the D-backs to acquire a player. Others simply were on the team for a short time but still made an impact in helping the squad reach the Playoffs or even the World Series in last season's miracle run. This article will give the run down over some notable players who played for the D-backs in years past and how they are doing this Spring Training for their new ball club.
Robbie Ray was traded from the Seattle Mariners to the San Francisco Giants this past off-season. He's expected to be a key starter for them once he returns from Tommy John Surgery closer to the All-Star Break.
The Chicago Cubs signed outfielder David Peralta to a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to Spring Training. The long-time fan favorite is coming off a rough season with the Dodgers and had offseason Flexor Tendon surgery on his left elbow. So far this Spring, he has three hits in nine at-bats with two runs and two RBI with a double and triple as he fights for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
AJ Pollock has yet to retire but he is in the Seattle Mariners camp in a coach-mentor role as he learns how to be a baseball coach. It sounds like his career is over.
Also in Seattle are three former D-backs, Josh Rojas, Dominic Canzone, and Seby Zavala. Rojas is battling for playing time at third base against Luis Urias. He's assured of a roster spot but is pushing for the larger platoon share. So far, he's hit just .217 in 23 at-bats though he does have a .814 OPS with a homer and five RBI.
Canzone was a part of the Paul Sewald trade with Rojas and prospect Ryan Bliss. Canzone is battling for an outfield spot on the roster and has made a great case so far. Over 30 at-bats, he has hit .300 with a 1.033 OPS and three home runs to go with nine RBI and a stolen base. Zavala was a piece in the Eugenio Suarez trade. He's pretty much assured a roster spot as the team's backup catcher despite hitting just .143 in 21 at-bats with a .602 OPS. He's expected to back up starting catcher Cal Raleigh.
Tyler Gilbert, of the No-Hitter fame, signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a Non-Roster Invite Minor League signing. He was reassigned to Minor League Camp on March 18th after pitching six innings of 3.00 ERA ball over four games with nine strikeouts and only one walk. He will serve as a veteran depth starter/reliever for the Reds this season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Jake Lamb to a Non-Roster Invite Minor League contract and gave him the chance to make the roster as a backup infielder and veteran pinch hitter. The Pirates have been pleased with his results thus far and say he's in the mix for a roster spot after he has hit .286 with a .781 OPS over 25 at-bats with a homer and five RBI. The 33-year-old, if he makes the team, will be on his eighth team and ninth organization since September 2020.
The long-time franchise shortstop Nick Ahmed signed with the Giants on a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. The Giants were unsure if Marco Luciano was ready for a full-time job and needed infield depth. Ahmed had played himself onto the Opening Day roster with rumors that he might even start Opening Day at shortstop. He's playing motivated and hungry with a .500 batting average over 20 at-bats with a 1.550 OPS, including two homers and six RBI to go with a stolen base.
Chris Owings signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers and has hit .160 with a .320 OPS over 25 at-bats. The former HBP/Stolen Base-machine, Tim Locastro, signed a MiLB deal with an invite to Spring Training with the San Diego Padres. With their barren outfield aside from Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr., Locastro has a good shot at getting back to the Majors at some point this season, if not Opening Day. He's performed well in Spring Training, hitting .462 over 13 at-bats with four RBI and a stolen base.
Dominic Fletcher was traded to the Chicago White Sox over the offseason in exchange for prospect pitcher Cristian Mena. Fletcher is currently the favorite to win the right field job on Opening Day for the White Sox. This is despite a rough Spring in which he has hit just .159 with a .465 OPS over 44 at-bats. He has displayed strong defense and confidence that has won him the majority of playing time at right field.
Eduardo Escobar signed a MiLB deal with an invite to Spring Training with the Toronto Blue Jays so that he could compete for a backup infielder position with them. So far, Escobar has not done enough to guarantee himself a spot on the roster. He has hit just .132 with a .443 OPS over 38 at-bats. While he could still make the roster, the odds aren't favorable.
Two former notable Diamondbacks players are still without jobs. Zack Greinke is entering his 21st MLB season off of a 2-15 season with a 5.06 ERA with the Royals. He still wants to pitch but has to sign a deal with any team, including a minor league deal. He is just 21 strikeouts from reaching 3,000 so hopefully he signs with a club. Tommy Pham is also without a job. However, that could soon change as the 36-year-old is rumored to be nearing an agreement with the San Diego Padres for a one-year deal. If that happens, he would help solve the Padres' dire outfield roster issues as they only have three on the 40-man roster.
