ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

CBS’s Snyder: D-backs should sell aggressively

Apr 24, 2019, 11:20 AM

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) looks on after Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez (9) ...

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) looks on after Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez (9) hit an RBI triple during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

(AP Photo/Matt Marton)

It is safe to say that the Arizona Diamondbacks have been one of the many positive early-season surprises in baseball.

Through the first 24 games, the D-backs sit in a tie for second place in the NL West and have been riding their productive offense that ranks in the top 10 in runs scored, hits and home runs.

A lot of that production has come from the impressive start of outfielder David Peralta, who ranks third in the league in hits (33) and is tied for second in the league in doubles (11). The 31-year-old began the season with a 10-game hitting streak and has filled the middle of the lineup in nicely after the losses of Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock in the offseason.

Along with Peralta, first baseman Christian Walker has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the D-backs order. Walker has burst onto the scene in the first everyday role of his major league career. The 28-year-old leads the team in home runs (7), batting average (.329), slugging (.684) and OPS (1.077).

Taking into account all the team’s recent success, CBS’s Matt Snyder believes the D-backs should sell the players they can to send the team on a complete rebuild.

The upside is flirting with .500.

Even with their offensive success, the D-backs have seemingly been held back the surprising struggles of their starting rotation and bullpen, however, Snyder doesn’t believe that pitching will be the biggest problem for the D-backs.

The pitching overall should be much better and it probably does get better. By the same token, the offense probably then comes back to Earth.

After a year in which the pitching staff finished with the fourth best ERA in all of baseball, the D-back staff is 19th in the MLB in ERA (4.56) and ranks in the bottom half of baseball in walks allowed and runs allowed.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte...

Arizona Sports

NL Wild Card standings: Diamondbacks fight for postseason berth

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in a playoff hunt for the first time in years. After a cold July and early August, they are back in the race.

5 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Alex Weiner

Zac Gallen deals, D-backs beat Yankees in the rain to keep 2nd wild card spot

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen threw six scoreless innings on Sunday against the New York Yankees.

10 hours ago

Yankee Stadium...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks-Yankees game delayed by 50 minutes on Sunday in New York

The start of Sunday's game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium was delayed, the teams announced. 

14 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Alex Weiner

How weather may or may not impact the D-backs’ pitching plans down the stretch

Rain falling in New York could change the D-backs' pitching plans in the final week of the regular season.

2 days ago

Blake Walston...

Alex Weiner

D-backs prospects Ivan Melendez, Blake Walston to play in Arizona Fall League

Pitcher Blake Walston, infielder Ivan Melendez and outfielder A.J. Vukovich will represent the D-backs at the Arizona Fall League.

2 days ago

The Arizona Diamondbacks logo on the field during the MLB baseball game between the Chicago Cubs an...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks vs. Yankees game on Saturday postponed, rescheduled for Monday

The game between the Diamondbacks and Yankees scheduled for Saturday at Yankee Stadium in New York City has been postponed.

2 days ago

CBS’s Snyder: D-backs should sell aggressively