Arizona Diamondbacks: Robbie Ray inspired by notable source

Left-hander Robbie Ray of the Arizona Diamondbacks drew inspiration from an important foundation of wisdom and experience.

Despite passed over as the opening day starter, the stature of Robbie Ray of the Arizona Diamondbacks merely reinforces his inspiration and motivation. As well, Ray’s ascendency to the National League stratosphere was not by accident nor by chance.

His rise was an accumulated effect of trial and errors and mostly error. With the natural ability and a fastball which seems to hurl through a wall, Ray’s talent remains raw and untapped. With physical realities aside, his growth, maturity, and acumen as a baseball player was helped by an icon of the Arizona organization.

On the radar screen of several clubs, Ray first displayed potential as a member of the 2009, 18-under USA national team that participated in the Pan American championships in Venezuela. At the time, Ray committed to play baseball at the University of Arkansas, but then the Washington Nationals called. Eventually, he was drafted by the Nats on the 12^th round of the 2010 draft, and by the start of the 2011 season, Ray reached number 15 in the Nationals list of prospects.

Like so many hopefuls, Ray’s untapped potential was swept under the rug, and he eventually became part of two trades. By the time he arrived in the desert, and as part of a three-team deal which included infielder Didi Gregorius off to the New York Yankees in Dec. 2014, Ray, now at 27-years-old, was still very much an unknown commodity.

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Assigned to Triple-A Reno at the start of the 2015 season, Ray entered his sixth year in the minors at that time and seemed locked at the Triple-A level. In the Tigers organization in the previous year, he started with Triple-A Toledo and made 19 starts before a recall to Detroit.

In six starts with the Tigers in 2014, Ray managed a 1-4 record with a lofty 8.16 ERA. His strikeout ratio was impressive. In 41.2 innings with Detroit, he fanned 57 hitters, and the reward was a trade to Arizona.

At the same time, Randy Johnson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and accepted a position in the Diamondbacks’ organization as Special Assistant to the President. Upon assuming this position, Johnson told Call to the Pen that he planned to visit minor league prospects and begin a mentoring process.

One candidate was Ray, who started the 2015 season with nine starts for Reno. This was the period where an association with Johnson began to flourish, and the ability to communicate and gain experience from the Hall of Famer increased value.

As he prepares to open his season behind opening day starter Patrick Corbin, Ray told Call to the Pen that the time with Johnson remains on an equal plane of education and stimulation.

"“It wasn’t anything about pitch-wise, and mechanics-wise,” Ray said of his early conversations with Johnson. “It was more mentality, and about going out every day. He told me you never know what game could be your last game. And, you’re never know when you’ll pitch your best game until you do it. It’s about going out and giving everything you have like it’s your last game.”"

That sense of urgency began to resonate with Ray, who took the attitude and approach of capturing every moment in time. Johnson’s words rang with purpose, and Ray told Call to the Pen he never puts anything in the Hall of Famer on the back burner.

"“His words hit home with me,” Ray said. “This game is so short. Your time compared to the rest of your life is so short. You want to make as much an impact as you can. Yes, Randy has been pretty big in personal mentality and how you go about your business day-by-day. When he speaks, people listen, and he’ll never just talk the talk. I’m always listening to him and always looking to pick his brain a little. This will only help my career.”"

On the dotted line …

Before Tuesday’s final spring game with Cleveland in Chase Field, the Diamondbacks made it official and announced the signing of infielder Ketel Marte to a five-year deal. The club did not disclose terms, but multiple reports put the price tag at $24 mill with a two-year option.

In reaching out to Marte, Arizona general manager Mike Hazen told Call to the Pen two factors addressed Marte’s character and his baseball ability to impact a game.

"“First, I was impressed when I went to (Triple-A Reno) early last season and saw Ketel working extremely hard at 2 in the afternoon,” Hazen said. “Also, the organization was impressed with the way he handled a very tragic situation. That spoke to his character.”"

The reference from Hazen was the death of Marte’s mother last July in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic. For the season, Marte filled in at shortstop when Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed went down each with a broken right hand. In 2017, Marte hit .260 with five homers and drove in 18 runs. In four post-season game, Marte hit .412 with two triples and 2 RBIs.

Getting a closer …

Before Tuesday’s game with the Indians, Lovullo announced that Brad Boxberger would assume the role of closer. Archie Bradley retains his responsibility as the set-up reliever with the prospect of stretched-out to one plus inning. At this time, Lovullo told Call to the Pen that he does not envision Bradley to go two innings or more during any one outing.

"“Brad has been a very successful closer and a strong track record there,” he said. “At this point, Brad will close, and Bradley will continue in the role he established last season.”"

The third part of the back end of this bullpen, Yoshi Hirano, will be used in the seventh, eighth or ninth inning, Lovullo told Call to the Pen. The use of Hirano will be dictated by a game situation and the necessity of giving players days off, Lovullo pointed out.

On the diamond …

With a 3-3 deadlock with the Cleveland Indians before 12,843 Tuesday afternoon in Chase Field, the Diamondbacks completed their spring slate with a mark of 15-15-2.

Now, the bell rings, and the Colorado Rockies help the Diamondbacks open the season in Chase Field.

Next: Corbin named opening day starter

On Thursday night, Patrick Corbin, coming off a 13-14 season and a 4.03 ERA for 32 starts get the ball from manager Torey Lovullo. Right-hander Jon Gray (10-4, 3.67 ERA, 20 starts) starts for the Rockies. With the hour at hand, Lovullo told Call to the Pen his team is ready.

"“Our expectations are the same, and now we have a clearer vision, he said. “We’re as ready as we can be.”"