Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona’s much-criticized $68.5 million investment in Yas
many Tomas took a turn for the better when he performed like the slugging mainstay the Diamondbacks had envisioned.
Tomas hit 12 home runs over 19 games, most in the big leagues over a recent four-week stretch. With 25 homers, he was close to tripling his total of nine last year as a rookie.
Because he’s a below-average fielder and poor at getting on base (career on-base percentage of .307), Tomas’ power surge was a crucial development.
“I think you’re seeing his physical skills come out now,” teammate Paul Goldschmidt told
The Arizona Republic. “You see him do things that a lot of guys can’t do at the big-league level. Like last year and earlier this year, he just hasn’t been as consistent. I think he’s just having those skills show up more often.”
The growth of Tomas, 25, spurs visions of a formidable quartet leading an Arizona revival in 2017: Goldschmidt and Tomas joined by
A.J. Pollock and David Peralta, who both have been injured for much of the season. Pollock is expected back this week.
The defense took a hit when shortstop Nick Ahmed chose to have season-ending hip surgery. Fill-ins Chris Owings and Jean
Segura are far better hitters, though, and Brandon Drury could spell Segura at second base.
“In my opinion I’ve had two good years. I think I’ve done a good job. I can’t manage. I can’t pitch. And I certainly can’t hit.”
Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart, as reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman of todaysknuckleball.com