Call to the pen
Fansided

Arizona Diamondbacks missing Jean Segura – and his bat

By Kyle Cardoza

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 05: (L-R) Ketel Marte #4, Daniel Descalso #3 and Paul Goldschmidt #44 of the Arizona Diamondbacks watch as Archie Bradley (not pictured) warms up in the MLB game against the Houston Astros at Chase Field on May 5, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks won 4-3. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 05: (L-R) Ketel Marte #4, Daniel Descalso #3 and Paul Goldschmidt #44 of the Arizona Diamondbacks watch as Archie Bradley (not pictured) warms up in the MLB game against the Houston Astros at Chase Field on May 5, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks won 4-3. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Diamondbacks
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 13: Jed Lowrie #8 of the Oakland Athletics in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 13, 2018, in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the A’s 6-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Arizona’s Middle-Infield Options

Arizona’s middle-infield crew is unimposing and almost lamentable at this point. And it’s been just two months into the season.

Marte, Nick Ahmed, Daniel Descalso and Chris Owings are all subpar at the dish. Of the four, Descalso is the only one with an OPS currently above .700. Ahmed has ultimately been the second-best player of the group, clubbing seven long balls, tied for second on the team.

Despite the small amount of success these players have seen, the Diamondbacks have a larger issue to address. They essentially have no minor-league, middle-infield prospects ready for the bigs.

Jasrado Chisholm and Domingo Leyba, the two foremost infield prodigies, still need time to marinate and develop. Jack Reinheimer is also an option, but his .241/.320/.345 in Triple-A Reno is lackluster.

More from Arizona Diamondbacks

Kevin Medrano in Double-A Jackson boasts the best numbers of any middle infielder in the system. But he’d have to remain hot in Triple-A to prove he can play at a higher level.

Barring an torrid stretch at the dish, none of these guys will likely see the MLB this year. Slim pickings suggest manager Torey Lovullo will keep his current roster set.

However, there are worthwhile infielders to look into on the trade market, if Arizona hopes to make a late October run. And if the Diamondbacks hope to compete throughout the rest of the year, they need a boost offensively.

Jed Lowrie and Scooter Gennett catch the eye with their strong performances thus far. Both sit in the top 30 in the league in OPS and in the top 50 in overall WAR. Considering that each of their teams are atrocious, they will be dealt before August.

Ironically, Arizona has more valuable pitchers than hitters. Thus, if the Diamondbacks hope to help their middle infield troubles, they must let go of a productive player.

Next: Daniel Descalso is the D-backs' super utility

But then again, at least half of this appalling issue wouldn’t be relevant had they kept Jean Segura.

Home/Arizona Diamondbacks