ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs’ Hall: It’s really about young players gaining confidence

Jul 29, 2022, 12:14 PM | Updated: 2:53 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall joins Doug & Wolf for an interview on 98.7 FM Arizo...

Arizona Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall joins Doug & Wolf for an interview on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station on Feb. 12, 2019. (Arizona Sports/Matt Layman)

(Arizona Sports/Matt Layman)

The Arizona Diamondbacks are currently in the midst of playing their best baseball of the season, winners of six out of their last seven games while outscoring opponents 43-13.

A major reason for the D-backs’ recent success is the younger players on the team finding their stride and making a mark.

D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall joined Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta Thursday morning to discuss how thrilled he is with how his young talent is already producing.

“It’s really about the young players who are gaining confidence and having fun,” Hall said.

The D-backs currently have a plethora of young talent on their roster that includes numerous, as Hall called them, “speedsters.”

“This is a very aggressive baserunning team and it has made a difference,” Hall said.

“When you have the youth and have the legs that we have, it’s nice to see that we have them.”

The D-backs current young talent includes a good amount of left-handed batters that have played well.

They include Jake McCarthy, Alek Thomas and Daulton Varsho.

In 41 games played, McCarthy is hitting .252/.303/.423 including three home runs and 10 runs driven in.

Thomas has played in 67 games and is posting a slash line of .252/.308/.400 while mashing seven home runs with 25 RBI.

While playing a combination of outfield and catcher, Varsho has appeared in 89 games and is hitting .233/.304/.409 while slapping 13 home runs with 47 RBI.

“I’m so proud of the way McCarthy’s playing right now. … Varsho the way he’s playing and Thomas looks so comfortable,” Hall said.

Hall noted how much Arizona is testing the youngsters right away with unfavorable matchups and how the D-backs are still seeing results.

“These kids are thrown into the fire, they’re facing lefties and they’re contributing and succeeding,” Hall said.

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