Arizona Diamondbacks: One long shot with a dream that never died

Living the dream, once again

Within a two-week period, Atkinson was back living the dream, and his patience and belief paid astonishing dividends.

Assigned to Rookie League Missoula in June 2016, Atkinson appeared in seven games, started six but dropped four of five decisions. For last season, he turned in a 3-3 season at Visalia and a respectable 3.33 ERA for nine starts.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

More impressive, he fanned 66 hitters in 48.2 innings. Atkinson started the season with Kane Country and went 2-5 and a 3.34 ERA for 10 starts. That included striking out 60 hitters in 56 1/3 innings.

Following participation in the prestigious Arizona Fall for the Salt River Rafters, Atkinson is in the Diamondbacks camp as a non-roster invitee.

As quickly as the pre-season slate began, manager Torey Lovullo wanted to get a quick look at Atkinson.  Pinching behind starter Taylor Clarke and Yuhei Nakaushiro in the opener against Arizona State last Wednesday, Atkinson needed but 11 pitches to retire the sides in order with two strikeouts and a grounder.

Afterward, he told Call to the Pen that he is keenly aware of the log-jam in front of him.

"“I tell everybody that I can only control what can control, and make the best of what I can do,” he said. “I know what’s here and have to earn everything. My mentality was to come in here and earn spot regardless of the situation. I have to have that mentality to make a name for myself and to open up a door for myself. I just want to get better every day and, down the road, help this team win a World Series.”"

Atkinson gets another opportunity open eyes on Sunday against the Brewers; He is slated to follow starter Zack Greinke to the mound and get into this one with relievers Kris Medlen and T. J. McFarland.

This weekend …

Coming off a 7-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies in 10 innings Friday in their spring opener, the Diamondbacks remain at Salt River for the weekend.

Next: Will these new MLB rule changes speed the game up?

On Saturday, Zack Godley will start against the Cleveland Indians, and Zack Greinke gets his first start of the spring against Milwaukee on Sunday.

On Monday, the Diamondbacks split their squad — half remain at Salt River to take on the Rockies and the other half will bus to Goodyear and a date with the Cincinnati Reds.