ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Lovullo on Jarrod Dyson: ‘He’s not a fourth outfielder, he’s more than that’

Feb 20, 2018, 5:05 PM

Seattle Mariners' Jarrod Dyson is interviewed after a baseball game against the New York Mets, Satu...

Seattle Mariners' Jarrod Dyson is interviewed after a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, July 29, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

When also factoring in the timing of Jarrod Dyson signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he was not a very buzzworthy name.

Soon after reports surfaced of J.D. Martinez agreeing to a deal with the Boston Red Sox, more came later in the day that Dyson was coming to the Valley.

On paper, a look at Dyson’s stats backs that up beyond name recognition.

A player that relies on speed and defense, Dyson doesn’t pop like Martinez. Dyson, in fact, has only 12 career home runs, while Martinez hit 16 in September alone last year.

Related: D-backs sign outfielder Jarrod Dyson

It’s easy to fall into that comparison given the timing of the two moves, but Dyson will be a valuable piece for the D-backs, according to their manager Torey Lovullo.

“He’s not a backup,” he said on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Burns & Gambo Tuesday. “He’s not a fourth outfielder, he’s more than that. I think that kind of describes that we think an awful lot of Jarrod and his ability to get out there and perform.

“He’s gonna play. He’s gonna contribute and he’s gonna help us win.”

Dyson will likely see most of his time against right-handed pitching. He’s a respectable .267 hitter against righties in his career, but his batting average drops to .215 when taking on lefties.

Beyond hitting righties and stealing bases, the D-backs see Dyson bringing value in other different ways than Martinez did.

“There’s defensive runs saved, so on his feet in the outfield he’s saving a number of runs,” Lovullo said. “It’s a different way to categorize things.”

There’s no doubt, though, that Lovullo sees the significance of losing a player like Martinez.

“With him coming on board it took us right over the top and got us to where we felt like we had a legitimate chance to win and advance all the way through the playoffs,” he said.

Even with his departure, there is anything but panic in Lovullo’s mindset on where the team is at heading into spring training play.

“We feel very good about things,” he said. “With the experience and a new year, I think we’re in a good spot.”

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.

6 hours 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.

8 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.

9 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.

13 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.

17 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.

18 hours ago

Lovullo on Jarrod Dyson: ‘He’s not a fourth outfielder, he’s more than that’