ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Wolf & Luke’s midseason awards for Arizona Diamondbacks

Jul 16, 2024, 2:52 PM

Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate...

Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates with Jake McCarthy #31 after hitting a grand slam home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at Chase Field on July 14, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

With the Arizona Diamondbacks and the rest of MLB at the All-Star break, it’s time for Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke Show to hand out some midseason awards.

Enlisting the help of nine judges from the Arizona Sports newsroom, the show handed out hardware from team MVP to biggest disappointment 97 games in.

Let’s get right into it:

Wolf & Luke’s midseason Diamondbacks awards

Breakout Player — P Justin Martinez

Justin Martinez throws a pitch

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Others receiving votes:

– Brandon Pfaadt

Wolf: It’s not Brandon Pfaadt? He was the question mark of the rotation coming into the season. He had a lot to prove.

Luke: It’s hard for me to mad with this music playing — it’s so soothing and inspirational — but I did also vote for Brandon Pfaadt.

Most Impactful Injury — P Merrill Kelly

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Others receiving votes:

– Alek Thomas
– Eduardo Rodriguez

Wolf: The academy actually got something right. The DNA of this team is pitching and defense. Merrill Kelly may be their best pitcher. You can argue that.

Luke: Merrill hasn’t pitched a game since April 15. Eduardo Rodriguez I’m sure is impactful but I don’t know what he looks like pitching for the Diamondbacks.

Biggest Surprise — OF Joc Pederson

Joc Pederson celebrates

(Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Others receiving votes:

– Justin Martinez
– Kevin Newman
– Jake McCarthy

Wolf: Is Joc Pederson really a surprise? Joc Pederson has done some things in this league. Kevin Newman, ladies and gentlemen, shocking. Seventy games, 195 at-bats Kevin Newman has gotten with the Diamondbacks. He’s hitting .277. I get it, he’s only got two home runs and 21 RBIs, but he’s played a really solid shortstop in lieu of Geraldo Perdomo not being around.

Luke: Pederson’s third on the team in home runs. He wasn’t even supposed to play all that much. I’m surprised with how much he’s done here.

Biggest Disappointment — OF Corbin Carroll

Corbin Carroll runs the bases

(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Others receiving votes:

– Jordan Montgomery

Wolf: I went with Jordan Montgomery and it’s only because I believe Corbin Carroll is going to snap out of it. When I look at Jordan Montgomery, I’m not so sure he’s going to snap out of it.

Luke: Carroll has been a disappointment, but this is how disappointing Jordan Montgomery has been: I originally forgot about him. I didn’t think about Jordan Montgomery until a half-hour later of filling out the ballot.

Best Moment — Christian Walker’s HR tear at Dodger Stadium

Christian Walker celebrates

(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Wolf: I was not there Basinonians. I did not see it. For me, the greatest moment was Corbin Carroll hitting two home runs. That was huge.

Luke: For Christian Walker to homer in five straight games at Dodger Stadium and to hit seven homers in those five games. Every time he hit one, the look on Dave Roberts’ face was priceless. They just kept pitching to him and he just kept hitting home runs.

Glue Guy — SS Geraldo Perdomo

Geraldo Perdomo celebrates

(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Others receiving votes:

– Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Wolf: What’s so cool about Perdomo is he starts rallies, he fields his position, he gets clutch hits, makes things happen. He’s beloved in the clubhouse, he’s been an All-Star. To me, he is a glue guy.

Luke: He is the definition of a glue guy, specifically in baseball. That is a guy that produces. He’s fine hitting at the bottom of the order. The way his teammates play better when he is around is very noticeable.

Team MVP — 2B Ketel Marte

Ketel Marte celebrates

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Wolf: That’s who I had, Ketel Marte. You could either way — Marte or Walker — on that one. We take Marte for granted. That’s what I think.

Luke: I’ll applaud that. Well done. Christian Walker is a very close second.

Most Pivotal Player in 2nd Half — OF Corbin Carroll

Corbin Carroll celebrates

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Others receiving votes:

– Zac Gallen
– Merrill Kelly

Wolf: There we go. For me, you tell me that Corbin Carroll looks like Corbin Carroll in the second half of the season, there’s no way in the world the Diamondbacks aren’t going to get into the playoffs.

Luke: That was a really tough one. I went with Corbin, but it was one of those ones where I already turned in my ballot and Paul Sewald came up.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Diamondbacks

Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

Jordan Montgomery responds to Ken Kendrick’s comments, enters spring training in better shape

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery reacted to owner Ken Kendricks comments after coming into camp in better shape.

2 hours ago

Ketel Marte paces Diamondbacks in MLB Network’s top 100 ranking....

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte paces Diamondbacks in MLB Network’s top 100 ranking

Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte leads the way for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB Network’s running top 100 ranking.

4 hours ago

Diamondbacks...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks would like to name closer by end of spring training, still looking to add

Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said his bullpen is one of Arizona's best since he arrived, but there are major decisions over the next six weeks. 

22 hours ago

Drey Jameson...

Alex Weiner

D-backs RHP Drey Jameson confident he’ll be ready for Opening Day

After missing an entire season, Diamondbacks pitcher Drey Jameson hopped back on the mound in front of fans on Day 1 of spring training.

23 hours ago

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson heads into spring training with added comfortability....

Tyler Drake

D-backs’ Ryne Nelson keeping things in perspective this spring training

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson heads into spring training with added comfortability following a strong finish in 2024.

1 day ago

Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks...

Alex Weiner

When can fans attend Diamondbacks spring training workouts?

Wednesday is a big day for Diamondbacks fans, as pitchers and catchers officially report, and workouts are open to the public at Salt River Fields. 

2 days ago

Wolf & Luke’s midseason awards for Arizona Diamondbacks