As the Arizona Diamondbacks hit the halfway mark of the season, they're finding themselves in an all-too-familiar spot, mirroring last year's record. Zac Gallen, a key figure in the Diamondbacks' rotation, had a rocky start, struggling through a tough first inning.
Yet, like the resilient pitcher he’s known to be, Gallen rebounded impressively, retiring 15 consecutive batters and showcasing the form that made him a standout in previous seasons. However, the seventh inning proved to be his undoing.
Manager Torey Lovullo, seeing Gallen's low pitch count and solid form, opted to stretch him for one more inning. Unfortunately, that decision backfired, and the Diamondbacks' bats were unable to pick up the slack, leaving Gallen's commendable effort without the offensive support it needed.
On a brighter note for Arizona, Corbin Carroll is making waves with his speed and agility. Carroll has etched his name in the Diamondbacks' history books, setting a new franchise record for triples, surpassing Stephen Drew’s previous mark. Given Carroll's rapid ascent and current pace, it's reasonable to expect that this record will only grow as he continues his career in Arizona.
In other baseball headlines, the Los Angeles Angels made a bold move in their front office. In a surprising shake-up, the team parted ways with general manager Perry Minasian.
Stepping into the role, at least temporarily, is John Mozeliak, a seasoned executive with a long tenure at the St. Louis Cardinals.
This change signals a new direction for the Angels as they look to reshape their strategy and potentially their fortunes on the field.
In Other News...
D Backs Prospect Demetrio Crisantes Just Delivered His Loudest Statement Yet
Demetrio Crisantes added a new line to his breakout season Sunday in Amarillo, where the 21-year-old shortstop for the Sod Poodles hit for the cycle in an 18-4 rout of the Frisco RoughRiders at HODGETOWN. For the Diamondbacks, who have been tracking Crisantes closely as their No. 5 prospect, it was the kind of all-fields, all-around performance that reinforces why his rise has been one of the more encouraging developments in the system this season.
The cycle also carried a bit of franchise trivia with it, marking the first home cycle for the Sod Poodles since the clubs 2019 rebranding. Crisantes has already been swinging it well this year, and the broader question now is how much louder his bat can get from here as he continues to separate himself in Double-A. [Read more 🡒]
Ketel Marte Is Suddenly The Dbacks Bat Everyone Is Watching
Ketel Marte has become the Arizona hitter to keep an eye on again as the Diamondbacks get ready for a rivalry game with the Giants on Monday. His recent stretch has been loud enough to change the conversation around Arizonas lineup, and the batting approach has matched the production, with Marte hitting .304 over the last two weeks while also driving the ball out of the park at a steady clip.
The matchup only adds to the intrigue, because San Francisco right-hander Tyler Mahle is the kind of opponent that can make one swing feel bigger than the rest. Marte has homered in three of his last four games, so even by the standards of a hot streak, this is one of those spots where Arizonas focus naturally lands on whether he can keep forcing pitchers to pay for mistakes. [Read more 🡒]
Diamondbacks Suddenly Have A Zac Gallen Problem They Can't Ignore
Zac Gallen has gone from one of the most reliable arms in the rotation to a pitcher the Diamondbacks can no longer treat as a routine answer every fifth day. The numbers are ugly, with a league-worst 6.15 ERA underscoring just how far the right-hander has fallen, and the concern in Arizona is no longer about a brief rough stretch but about a deeper erosion in effectiveness.
Opposing hitters appear to have adjusted to the way Gallen sequences his pitches, and the stuff itself is not missing bats the way it once did. Reduced spin rate and movement, especially on his knuckle curve, have made his offerings easier to pick up, leaving the Diamondbacks facing a much bigger question than simple command or confidence: whether Gallen needs a real reinvention of his arsenal, with coaching help, to get back on track. [Read more 🡒]