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

Jorge Soler #12 of the Miami Marlins celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring during t...

David Veenstra

ESPN’s Schoenfield: Under-the-radar MLB free agents for Diamondbacks to consider

While Shohei Ohtani will command most of the attention this offseason, there is still value to be had elsewhere on the open market.

4 hours ago

Jose Castillo...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks sign LHP Jose Castillo to minor league deal

The Diamondbacks signed left-handed pitcher Jose Castillo to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.

2 days ago

Andres Chaparro...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks add power-hitting minor leaguer Andres Chaparro, assign him to Triple-A

The Arizona Diamondbacks added pop to the system by signing former New York Yankee prospect Andres Chaparro to a minor league deal.

3 days ago

Diamondbacks season ticket pass...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Diamondbacks offer 2024 season ticket pass for $299

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced a new season ticket package for all home games at Chase Field for $299.

3 days ago

Tommy Pham...

Alex Weiner

Free agent Tommy Pham does not want to platoon after Diamondbacks run

Free agent outfielder Tommy Pham, who spent the latter three months of the season with the Diamondbacks, has a clear objective this winter.

7 days ago

(Photo courtesy @GenoDellamorte)...

Arizona Sports

Bickley & Marotta fan creates custom jersey to celebrate Diamondbacks’ World Series run

One Arizona Diamondbacks fan made a custom jersey to represent the MLB club as well as Arizona Sports' Bickley & Marotta.

7 days ago

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