It’s official: Diamondbacks’ Chris Herrmann has turned it around

May 20, 2016, 9:59 PM | Updated: 10:03 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Herrmann reacts after striking out against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

ArizonaSports.com lead editor

Remember when taking balls was Chris Herrmann’s sole method of reaching base? Recall the Arizona Diamondbacks’ catcher owning a batting average of .050 through 20 at-bats to begin 2016?

Apparently, he doesn’t either.

Herrmann turned his season around with a 4-RBI performance on April 24 and it appears that breakout game wasn’t an anomaly.

Less than a month later after an 11-7 Diamondbacks win against the St. Louis Cardinals, his average has increased to .290 after the nightmare start to his Arizona career.

Hitting in the 6-hole on Friday, Herrmann got the D-backs going with a two-RBI single with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the first inning before smashing a solo shot in the ninth inning to put Arizona comfortably ahead, 10-2.

Herrmann added a run himself and his three RBI led the team. It was his third three-RBI game in the last two weeks, and the catcher has recorded a hit in 10 of the 11 games he’s played in the month of May.

The backup behind catcher Welington Castillo has already done more than was expected from him when the D-backs traded minor-leaguer Daniel Palka to the Minnesota Twins in an offseason trade.

With 142 games played in his MLB career, Herrmann had a .181 career average with six home runs and 33 RBI when Arizona acquired him. So far he’s proved general manager Dave Stewart saw something others didn’t.

Already this season, Herrmann has recorded five home runs and 19 RBI.

Not long ago, Herrmann became the first player in D-backs history to play catcher and center field in the same season. While his appearances in the outfield are more about Arizona’s injury-depleted roster, he continues to thrive at the plate.

Herrmann is forcing manager Chip Hale to find a place in the lineup for his bat.

What a difference a month makes.

Follow @kzimmermanaz

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Herrmann hits a two-run single during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb, left, is congratulated by teammate Chris Owings after scoring during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker dives to catch a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon Drury during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Stephen Piscotty (55) is tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura while trying to steal second during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Patrick Corbin, left, scores past St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

A ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Patrick Corbin bounces past St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker for a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. Hazelbaker was charged with an error and Corbin advanced to second on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez stands in the dugout after working during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb, right, is congratulated by teammates including manager Chip Hale (3) after scoring during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin, right, gets a pat from manager Chip Hale as Corbin leaves a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday, right, stands at the plate and Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Chris Herrmann celebrates after Holliday struck out to end the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings runs to first on a two-run single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings, right, is congratulated by first base coach Dave McKay after hitting a two-run single during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Yasmany Tomas, right, scores past St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Ruben Tejada pitches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Ruben Tejada, left, gets a pat from Arizona Diamondbacks first base coach Dave McKay while walking off the field after pitching during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 20, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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