D-Backs fans get chance to meet new faces at fan fest
The new-look Arizona Diamondbacks were on full display as players and coaches took turns signing autographs, taking photos and participating in Q&As during Diamondbacks Fan Fest at Salt River Fields on Saturday.
The fan fest covered three fields with everything from a virtual reality home run derby at Chase Field to fielding fly balls and taking at-bats in a batting cage.
While there were many activities, the majority of the attention focused on players and upper management taking questions, many of which focused on the departure of six-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt.
“Very difficult decisions for us on a number of different levels, the largest of which was certainly Paul,” General Manager Mike Hazen said of the Diamondbacks’ December trade with the Cardinals. “When we looked at our roster short and long term, having Paul here would have been the preferred outcome. … We just weren’t able to do that in the end.”
The response from Hazen was to the first question of many about the trade that sent Goldschmidt to St. Louis as both players from last season and newcomers were asked about it.
Luke Weaver and Carson Kelly, two of the players that came to Arizona in the deal, were asked if there was any added pressure due to the success of Goldschmidt during his time with the Diamondbacks.
“Paul who,” Weaver said jokingly. “I know we’re not as big of a name as he is, but we hope to be one day. We know we’re early in our career but that’s what we strive for is to be a big guy like that who is well rounded and doing all the things right and love the fans and that’s what we hope for.”
Weaver and Kelly also discussed how they heard about the trade and their first emotions about going to Arizona.
Weaver was in the middle of a nap when he received a call from Kelly during which the two discussed the future ahead of them.
“I think I was a little more overwhelmed, just because I think I was half asleep taking a nap,” Weaver said. “It is really exciting, we talked about it a lot and we’re really excited to be here, more than anything great fans, great ball club and great golf.”
Former Arizona State pitcher Merrill Kelly, who signed with the Diamondbacks in December, called the chance to get to play in front of his hometown crowd a special opportunity.
Fan favorites David Peralta, Nick Ahmed and Jake Lamb also took questions as they discussed a variety of subjects, including past and upcoming fan giveaways.
Future bobbleheads will include Ahmed landing on the moon and Peralta doing his signature Freight Train celebration.
“I just heard about that,” Ahmed said of his bobblehead. “Fifteenth anniversary of landing on the moon so we get to celebrate it with me going to the moon.”
“My first ever bobblehead I was a zookeeper,” Lamb added.
The questions quickly turned back to the legacy of Goldschmidt and the opportunity those three players have to become the face of the franchise.
With a Silver Slugger, Gold Glove winner and former All-Star among them, the trio did not seem to be affected by the departure of Goldschmidt.
“I think we’re going to get questions all the time with Paul Goldschmidt being gone, who’s the face of the franchise,” Ahmed said. “We’re not going to try and replace him or (Patrick) Corbin or (A.J.) Pollock or anybody else. We’re just going to be ourselves and get a little better every day and we’re going to try and be a team and bring home a championship for Arizona.”
The conversation then took an upbeat turn as kids took turns asking questions of pitchers Archie Bradley, Zack Godley, Andrew Chafin, and Robbie Ray.
Bradley, another fan favorite fielded the majority of the questions ranging from his favorite color (red) to where he would want to go if he could go anywhere in the world.
“I would pick the moon because that’s where I want to go,” Bradley said before reconsidering somewhere on this earth. “Honestly, a World Series, that’s where I want to go. Doesn’t matter what city or where, just put me in one.”
Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Tuesday with position players joining on Feb. 17.