ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

By the numbers: A look into the Diamondbacks’ blistering offensive start

Apr 8, 2017, 3:41 PM

offensive...

Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock dives back to first during the first inning of an exhibition baseball game against Mexico, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Although it’s incredibly early in the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks, their offensive production so far is definitely noteworthy.

The offense has carried the team to a 4-1 record, having scored six or more runs in all of their wins.

Regression is obviously to be expected from some players, but the performances of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and centerfielder A.J. Pollock certainly seem relatively sustainable and give hope that the team can improve upon a lackluster 2016.

Below are some of the most notable numbers related to the team’s impressive offensive start.

6.8

Arizona leads all teams with 6.8 runs scored per game. The Diamondbacks finished 11th last season with an average of 4.64 runs.

.307

The Diamondbacks’ .307 batting average is tops in the majors. The Washington Nationals are second with .293.

9

Nine of the 13 Diamondbacks with more than two at-bats currently have career-highs in batting average. Yasmany Tomas, David Peralta, Chris Iannetta and Daniel Descalso are the only ones not on pace to set a career-best mark.

.467

24-year-old second baseman Brandon Drury’s batting average, which would break Hugh Duffy’s 123-year-old record if he were to sustain it over a full season. Of course, 12 other players would break that record as well based on their performance this year, so that remains highly unlikely.

+.103

Veteran catcher Jeff Mathis’ .300 batting average is 103 points better than his career average of .197. The 34-year-old posted his best mark at .238 last year for his 11 seasons with at least six games played.

1-2

Goldschmidt leads the majors with seven runs scored, while third baseman Jake Lamb is in a three-way tie for second with six.

25

Pollock leads MLB with 25 plate appearances after getting only 46 in 12 games last year due to injury. He has collected eight hits and one walk over these appearances.

3

Tomas and Pollock are tied for the second-most doubles in the majors with three each.

4.85

The Diamondbacks’ offensive explosion has certainly helped out their starting pitching, who are a combined 2-1 despite a 4.85 ERA up to this point. For reference, the same pitchers’ 4.89 ERA last year earned them a combined record of 37-58.

.393

Arizona’s .393 batting average on balls in play is highest in baseball, suggesting that opposing defensive play and luck may have something to do with the team’s offensive performance thus far. The Tampa Bay Rays (.377) are the only other team with a mark higher than .350.

10

Not everything has been perfect, as Lamb is tied for second in baseball with 10 strikeouts. He has the highest batting average (.263) of any player with more than seven strikeouts.

3.73

The free-swinging Diamondbacks have faced an average of 3.73 pitches per plate appearance, fifth-lowest in the majors.

8.2%

Only 8.2 percent of Arizona’s plate appearances have resulted in a 2-0 count. Similarly, 1.5 percent have gone to a 3-0 count. Both numbers are second-lowest behind the Texas Rangers.

60%

Tomas has swung at 60 percent of the pitches he’s seen, which explains why 78.3 percent of the pitches thrown to him have been strikes, the third-highest rate in the league.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar, D-backs...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar to have thumb surgery

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar will have surgery on his right thumb after tearing a ligament, GM Mike Hazen said on Wednesday.

13 hours ago

General shot of Chase Field...

Bailey Leasure

What’s new at Chase Field for the 2024 D-backs season?

The Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 season will see the team debut new food items, enhancements to the ballpark and giveaways.

18 hours ago

Bryce Jarvis #40 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws a pitch during the second inning in the game ag...

Vincent DeAngelis

Bryce Jarvis starting season in long reliever role for Diamondbacks

Twenty-six-year-old Bryce Jarvis will start the 2024 season in a long relief role for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

19 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

Reports: Diamondbacks, LHP Jordan Montgomery agree to terms on contract

The Diamondbacks and big-ticket free agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery agreed to terms on a contract, according to multiple reports on Tuesday. 

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Zac Gallen says Diamondbacks are ready for opponents’ best daily

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the excitement surrounding his second straight Opening Day start for the Snakes, and the overall excitement the team has for the coming season.

1 day ago

Kevin Ginkel...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Kevin Ginkel has no problem if asked to close in Paul Sewald’s absence

Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel has not been told whether he will step into the closer role with Paul Sewald on the injured list.

2 days ago

By the numbers: A look into the Diamondbacks’ blistering offensive start