ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Now healthy, D-backs SS Nick Ahmed proving he’s a threat with a bat

Aug 10, 2018, 11:38 AM
Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed (13) watches his grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball ...
Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed (13) watches his grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
(AP Photo/David Banks)

Shortstop Nick Ahmed’s defensive value for the Arizona Diamondbacks has been proven over and over since he debuted in 2014.

He ranks in the top-10 of all MLB players with 14 defensive runs saved this year, according to FanGraphs, and once again he’s forced Arizona to use him as an everyday starter regardless of his offensive abilities. It just so happens that Ahmed’s best offensive season as a major leaguer is only the cherry on top.

“You always have expectations coming into a new season. I think the main thing I wanted to do this year is stay healthy,” he told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “God’s blessed me with some really good health this year and I feel better than I ever have, so I’m thankful for that.

“But from a performance standpoint as well, I’ve done some things especially offensively that most people would say that they could be surprised at or (I) haven’t done in the past, but I always expect myself to perform offensively. I’m just trying to get a little bit better every day.”

Ahmed appeared in only 53 games a year ago after suffering a broken hand and then, in a rehab game, was hit in the same wrist by a pitch, adding another fracture to recover from. With his season shortened, perhaps people forgot he was on track to set career highs by batting .251 and recording 21 RBI — his career high was 34 in 2015 — about a third of the way through a season.

The success has continued in 2018.

Ahmed has tallied 57 RBI and 16 home runs through 108 games while batting .243.

“Our hitting coach Dave Magadan sometimes will drop the line, ‘That was a swing with bad intentions'” Ahmed told Doug & Wolf on Friday. “I’m definitely doing more of that. I’m going up to the plate with the intention of driving the baseball, not just swinging to put it in play or going up there and being defensive. I’m going up there with a really offensive mindset, really hunting a specific pitch in the middle of the plate.

“I’m trying to do damage every time I go up there. I’m not trying to buy into this, really, launch angle, high fly ball, home run-or-nothing approach.”

That said, the statistics substantiate Ahmed’s aggression is paying off in all kinds of ways. His home run per fly ball percentage was never beyond 7.3 percent (2015) until it jumped to 14.6 percent last year and 15.8 percent in 2018.

Ahmed has also adjusted to improve his success against right-handed pitchers.

A career .209 hitter against righties, he’s improved to bat .225 against them this season. Per FanGraphs, Ahmed’s line drive percentage (25.8 percent) is a career-high, while his hard-hit percentage has increased in each of the last two years — from 27.3 in 2016 to 32 percent last year to 39.7 percent this season.

With one more walk, he’ll set a career high of 30 walks in a single season as well.

“I’ve simplified things. I’m going up to the plate with a better plan, a better idea of what I’m trying to do and how to attack the pitcher, especially right-handed pitching — I’ve never really hit right-handed pitching well in my career,” Ahmed said. “But I’ve kind of retooled and developed some things over the last couple months that have really helped me do that and get to a spot where I can really see the ball well consistently and just take that aggressive swing.”

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar hits a two-run double against the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Matt Andriese (35) and catcher Alex Avila celebrate after the Diamondbacks deefeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0 during a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Scott Kingery turns the double play while avoiding Arizona Diamondbacks' Alex Avila (5) on a ball hit by Patrick Corbin in the fourth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks' Patrick Corbin drives in a run on a fielder's choice during the fourth inning during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Carlos Santana flips the ball for an out on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt in the fourth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta (6) celebrates after hitting an RBI triple against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Williams makes a running catch on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Daniel Descalso in the third inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Vince Velasquez throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks

Fans fill Camelback Ranch during the MLB Spring Training baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and...
Wills Rice

Dog makes fantastic home run snag during Cactus League game

A dog made the play of the day in the outfield grass on Saturday following a home run during the Dodgers-Royals Cactus League game.
1 day ago
Gabriel Moreno #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks works out at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on F...
Kellan Olson

Arizona Diamondbacks believe Gabriel Moreno is ready for bigger role

Gabriel Moreno will be the Arizona Diamondbacks' everyday catcher soon enough but it might happen even sooner than expected.
2 days ago
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo speaks with reporters after a 7-4 spring training loss t...
Jake Anderson

Diamondbacks still have major roster questions as Opening Day looms

With only six days until Opening Day, D-backs skipper Torey Lovullo still has to get the active roster down from 36 to 26.
2 days ago
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Luis Frias (65) shakes hands with Diamondbacks catcher Grayson Greiner...
Arizona Sports

D-backs option Ps Luis Frias, Kyle Nelson to Triple-A Reno

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned pitchers Luis Frias and Kyle Nelson to the Triple-A Reno Aces on Friday.
2 days ago
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen throws against the Colorado Rockies during the fir...
Arizona Sports

D-backs name Zac Gallen as Opening Day starter for 2023

Zac Gallen will start for the Arizona Diamondbacks next Thursday for Opening Day against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2 days ago
Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. speaks, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, during ...
Arizona Sports

Timing makes D-backs media rights complex for MLB to obtain

Why would the Padres become the first team ahead of the D-backs that triggers MLB to head to court in an attempt to obtain their rights?
2 days ago
Now healthy, D-backs SS Nick Ahmed proving he’s a threat with a bat