ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs coach Dave McKay: Trumbo has ‘everything it takes’ to be a good outfielder

Jan 7, 2014, 4:23 AM | Updated: 6:15 pm

...

When Dave McKay joined the Arizona Diamondbacks staff as the team’s first base and outfielders coach, three of his outfielders were fast, promising young defenders. Then, the Diamondbacks traded away Adam Eaton and got back Mark Trumbo in the same deal.

And McKay’s new job got a whole lot more difficult.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Trumbo was drafted as a pitcher and groomed into a first baseman, third baseman and designated hitter, playing about 25 percent of his major league career in the outfield.

After the trade, which would effectively pigeonhole Trumbo in the outfield without a reprieve at a defensively less-demanding position, the doubters made themselves heard.

McKay, though, is unfazed by Trumbo’s perceived inability on defense. And he actually looks forward to working with the 27-year-old slugger.

“I get excited about that, I really do,” McKay told Arizona Sports’ Hot Stove Show on Monday.

“I’ve heard that before — I’ve heard it about Matt Holliday, who turned out to be a very good outfielder for us in St. Louis.”

Along with Holliday, McKay went on to point to his previous work with Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano, a converted second baseman who once garnered gold glove consideration for his work in left field.

“If you have a player who’s willing to work at it, which Mark Trumbo is, there’s a lot of things you can do,” McKay told the show.

“I point it out, he goes to work. The player makes himself good.The guy has everything it takes to be a good outfielder.”

Over four seasons in the big leagues, and 922 innings in the outfield, Trumbo has accrued a -5.24 ultimate zone rating as an outfielder. He has six career outfield assists and four career fielding errors.

“I talked to (the Angels and they) said when (Trumbo) started playing first base, he was really, really rough,” McKay went on.

“And they turned him into a really good first baseman, because he was willing to get out there everyday.”

But McKay, who has more than 30 years of coaching experience, hedged his hopes of turning Trumbo into the next Gerardo Parra or A.J. Pollock.

“Make all the routine plays, and we’ll go from there,” he said.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

37 minutes ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

4 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

5 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

6 hours ago

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

7 hours ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

7 hours ago

D-backs coach Dave McKay: Trumbo has ‘everything it takes’ to be a good outfielder