D-backs’ Seth Beer focused on consistency in new big-league opportunity

PHOENIX — There was a time during the 2022 Arizona Diamondbacks’ season when Seth Beer was the top offensive producer on the squad.

He hit .375 with a .993 OPS through the first 15 games of the year, a bright spot during a particularly difficult time for Arizona’s offense.

Then came a crash, as Beer went through a 2-for-41 dry spell and got sent down to Triple-A Reno. That’s where he spent nearly the past three months before getting the call back up this week.

Beer said he started to spiral trying to force himself out of his offensive struggles, and he is hyper focused on keeping a consistent approach now that he has another chance.

“I think every ballplayer has to go through a concept when you kind of go through a skid and you try to get the snowball effect to stop, and for me, it was to go down there and learn what I gotta do to get out of that funk sometimes,” Beer said.

“So when they call on you, that you’re ready to go in any situation. For me, now, it’s just to continue to stick to that approach and those things I learned.”

There’s a role for Beer with the big-league club so long as he hits right-handed pitching, and this is a critical time for him to earn it.

Arizona does not have a set designated hitter nor another first baseman on the active roster behind starter Christian Walker and Beer.

Trading away David Peralta opened a lot more at-bats for younger players.

Lovullo called the current DH situation “revolving” to reporters Friday but noted that he believes someone will emerge in time. There are various batters performing well in Arizona’s farm system.

Beer has highlight moments in MLB, hitting a home run in his first at-bat last year and a walk-off long ball on Opening Day in April.

Seth Beer keeps the good times rolling with his first three-hit showing for the @Dbacks.

Arizona’s No. 12 prospect is 8-for-20 (.400) with a homer and a double through seven MLB games. pic.twitter.com/zBs6JhicOC

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 16, 2022

The 25-year-old did not work on changing his mechanics as much as staying consistent, mentally as much as physically.

He said what the pitchers threw would alter his approach too much as opposed to him sticking to his plan and staying confident with it.

Beer has leaned on Reno hitting coach Nick Evans, who has experience going back and forth from the majors and minors, for guidance on handling transitions from one level to another.

“Everybody learns at a different pace when you get called up or sent down, and for me, it was just no matter where you’re at, you’re playing baseball, it’s the same game,” Beer said.

“You just got to go out there and continue to challenge yourself … No matter what city, no matter what team, you gotta go out there and play … That’s the one thing you can count on. So for me, that has been the thought, to stick to the approach and go with that.”

Beer found another hot streak in July, hitting .323 with six home runs for the Aces.

Beer bath! 🍻

No. 10 @Dbacks prospect Seth Beer records 3 hits, including a homer, then draws a walk-off walk for the @Aces. pic.twitter.com/RX87pwWIEs

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 25, 2022

He went 1-for-2 Friday and will DH Saturday against the Rockies.

Catch the game at 5:10 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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