ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

ESPN Insider: Martinez trade should not affect D-backs’ outfield defense

Aug 22, 2017, 11:55 AM

The Arizona Diamondbacks outfield committed 25 errors last season, the second most in the major leagues behind only the Minnesota Twins. Devastating injuries to center fielder A.J. Pollock and right fielder David Peralta forced infielders and a catcher to play the outfield.

Fast forward to 2017 and Peralta has stayed healthy – but Pollock went on the 10-day disabled list with a right groin strain in May and did not return until July 4. After Pollock went down, the playoff-hopeful Diamondbacks were in a position to add at the trade deadline, acquiring outfielder J.D. Martinez from the Detroit Tigers on July 18.

Since then, Martinez has manned right field and Peralta made the switch to left.

In an insider piece, ESPN expert Keith Law does not think the Diamondbacks will feel the effects of the swap.

With J.D. Martinez taking over in right field for the D-backs, although his defense isn’t great, with David Peralta taking over in left field, the effects should balance out.

Law also included a graph that pointed out the Diamondbacks inability to hold runners at first after getting on base. In 263 attempts against Diamondbacks outfielders, opposing base runners have taken at least one extra base 134 times (51 percent), the fourth-highest rate in the majors.

Even though Pollock and Peralta have stayed healthy for the majority of the 2017 season, Law ranked the Diamondbacks outfield 20th out of 30 teams. As a group, they have committed 10 errors, two below the league average, according to Baseball Reference.

In 47 chances with the Diamondbacks Martinez has yet to commit an error, compared with two errors in 102 chances with the Tigers.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blake Snell...

Associated Press

Blake Snell and San Francisco Giants agree to $62 million, 2-year contract, AP source says

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $62 million, two-year contract.

1 hour ago

Zac Gallen...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen named Opening Day starter

The Arizona Diamondbacks named Zac Gallen the starter for Opening Day on March 28 when the Colorado Rockies come to Chase Field.

3 hours ago

Merrill Kelly...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen building strong outings with Opening Day near

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly followed Zac Gallen's scoreless outing Sunday with one of his own Monday against the Athletics.

4 hours ago

Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder...

Kevin Zimmerman

D-backs’ Alek Thomas found confidence with just 2 swings in 2023 playoffs

Two Alek Thomas home runs during the 2023 playoff run for the Arizona Diamondbacks helped build his confidence. You can guess one of them.

7 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

NL West preview: Where do the Diamondbacks fit in a new-look division?

No division was more prevalent in the news cycle than the NL West. Here's a preview of the Dodgers, D-backs, Giants, Padres and Giants.

12 hours ago

Corbin Martin...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks option RHPs Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi in final week of spring training

The Diamondbacks continued to clear up roster battles by optioning pitchers Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi and Blake Walston Triple-A.

12 hours ago

ESPN Insider: Martinez trade should not affect D-backs’ outfield defense