Derrick Hall, D-backs disappointed Paul Goldschmidt didn’t play much in WBC
Mar 23, 2017, 2:57 PM | Updated: 4:16 pm
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall wished Paul Goldschmidt was more involved in the World Baseball Classic.
The D-backs first baseman didn’t take an at-bat in the final four games of Team USA’s run to win the event, and Hall told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM the team hadn’t asked manager Jim Leyland to restrict Goldschmidt’s playing time in any way.
“When we knew he was going, we were excited he was going,” Hall said Thursday. “You want guys to get ready and make sure they get their work in.
“You don’t want to see a guy sit, especially four days in a row,” Hall added. “We never had any restrictions on him. We were excited he was going to be part of it.”
Goldschmidt did extra work in batting practice and took enough reps to stay in shape after he appeared in just five games, going 1-for-13 in the early stages of the tournament.
Leyland played Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer at first — to the dismay of baseball fans — due to Hosmer’s hot bat.
With another week left before Arizona’s Opening Day on April 2, Hall believes Goldschmidt will have enough reps to be prepared for the season.
And he trusts Goldschmidt kept busy despite the lack of playing time over the last week.
“If there’s anybody who’s gonna make sure he’s prepared regardless of how many at-bats he gets during the game, it’s Goldy,” Hall said. “We know that he was working hard during BP and taking infield and getting his work in the cages.
“We were disappointed,” Hall added. “Goldy’s just such a good guy he was not disappointed. I mean, I’m sure he was, he wants to play, he’s a competitor. But he would never complain about it and he still said he had the time of his life because he’s such a team guy and there’s something about playing for your flag.”