ESPN names Paul Goldschmidt ‘worth price of admission’ for D-backs
Feb 5, 2017, 11:43 AM | Updated: Feb 6, 2017, 10:44 am
Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt lines out on a pitch from Colorado Rockies reliever Christian Bergman during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 10, 2016, in Denver. Arizona won 5-1. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
ESPN MLB writer David Schoenfield made a list of one player from every team worth the price of admission, naming Paul Goldschmidt as that player for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Each player had one specific skill that made him worth watching, ranging from defensive prowess to ability to make pyramids of paper cups. For Goldschmidt, Schoenfield named his ability to steal bases as the skill that makes him worth seeing.
Is Goldschmidt fast? No. Can he steal bases? Yes. He swiped 32 in 2016 and ranks 10th in the majors in steals over the past two seasons. And if you enjoy good hitting, don’t run out for your Churro Dog when he’s up.
Goldschmidt is third in franchise history with 99 stolen bases, behind Tony Womack (182) and Chris Young (112). Last season, he stole a career-best 32 bases and was only caught stealing five times.
Schoenfield also mentioned Goldschmidt’s ability at the plate. The All-Star first baseman was not quite as productive with the bat last season, hitting .297/.411/.489 after putting up .321/.435/.570 splits in 2015. Despite the down year, he was third in on-base percentage and 10th in OPS in the National League. He also ranked first in plate appearances and fourth in runs scored.
A couple former D-backs, outfielders Mark Trumbo and Ender Inciarte, also made the list for their respective teams. Trumbo, now with the Orioles, earned the spot for his ability to crush fastballs and Inciarte, with the Braves, was credited for his defense.
