Ransom, Roberts competing for time at 3B

Ryan Roberts is one of the most popular members of the
Arizona Diamondbacks and played a key role in the team’s
2011 National League West championship.

Cody Ransom is a 36-year-old journeyman who has never had
more than 79 at-bats in a season during his major league
career, during which he’s played for five teams.

But with Roberts struggling this season,
Ransom is making the most of an opportunity.

Ransom, who has played in 1,445 minor league games
(including over 1,110 at the Triple-A) level has been one
of the Diamondbacks’ best offensive weapons this season.
The former Grand Canyon University Antelope is batting
.351 with four home runs and 12 runs batted in, which is
third-most on the team.

“He’s stepping up for us right now,” manager Kirk Gibson
said Tuesday. “Ryan (Roberts) has struggled. I think
he’s coming around, like I’ve said, for about a week now.
We’ve been bringing him along slowly.”

Roberts looks to be breaking out of his slump — he’s
hitting .385 (5-for-13) in May after batting just .152
(10-for-66) over his first 21 games.

But Ransom has been a sparkplug for a struggling offense
since having his contracted selected from Triple-A Reno
back on April 18.

“I think he’s much more comfortable here, he’s got
experience to be here,” Gibson said. “It’s his second year
with our organization and he feels comfortable around the
guys and confident.”

Clubbing 452-foot home runs, like the one he connected
with Monday night off of St. Louis releiver J.C. Romero,
will do wonders for that confidence.

“He’s just on a good roll, he’s seeing the ball well, he’s
striking it well,” Gibson stated. “He’s got a good thing
going on.”

If Ransom keeps up this “roll” and Roberts continues his
resurgence after a slow offensive start, a position that
was a concern early in the year could turn into a position
of strength for Gibson and the D-backs.

Arizona Sports’ Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this
report

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