Blog Post Series: "Arizona Sports" Timeline & Inspiration/What to Expect
*Disclaimer: Some "bias" will occur, inevitably, since I was born in Arizona.
In the relatively near past, I took a strong liking towards Arizona Sports, therefore in this particular Free Choice Series, I will discuss my favorite team from MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, respectively.
Inspiration for AZ Sports Series:
Ever since a young age, I have always been an aspiring sports writer as I have composed numerous professional analysis works compact with statistics, reviews, and previews. For these following free choice blog posts, I would like to put my talents on display.
*Hopefully Bleacher Report Sees This (Crosses Fingers)
AZ Sports Series: Arizona Diamondbacks
AZ Sports Series Timeline: (My Favorite Teams from MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, respectively)
In the relatively near past, I took a strong liking towards Arizona Sports, therefore in this particular Free Choice Series, I will discuss my favorite team from MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, respectively.
Inspiration for AZ Sports Series:
Ever since a young age, I have always been an aspiring sports writer as I have composed numerous professional analysis works compact with statistics, reviews, and previews. For these following free choice blog posts, I would like to put my talents on display.
*Hopefully Bleacher Report Sees This (Crosses Fingers)
AZ Sports Series: Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2014 Season Review
- 2015 Season Preview
- 2015 Projections
AZ Sports Series Timeline: (My Favorite Teams from MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, respectively)
- Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
- Phoenix Suns (NBA)
- Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
- Arizona Coyotes (NHL)
2014 Season Review
2014 Opening Day Lineup: (Position/(L)= Left-Handed, (R)= Right-Handed)
2014 Opening Rotation: ((L)= Left-Handed, (R)= Right-Handed)
| 2014 Season Finale Lineup: (Position/(L)= Left-Handed, (R)= Right-Handed)
2014 Season Finale Rotation: ((L)= Left-Handed, (R)= Right-Handed)
|
The 2014 MLB Season for the Arizona Diamondbacks was one of ineffectiveness, the injury bug, and roster retooling:
Ineffectiveness:
Firstly, not even a month into the calendar season, both Trevor Cahill and Randall Delgado were demoted to both the bullpen and minors, because of ineffectiveness; both had ERAs north of 5.00. Much of the lineup was struggling immensely, specifically with both Aaron Hill and Martin Prado, the proven veterans on the club, as their batting average topped out at .250.
Injury Bug:
Also, the proverbial Injury Bug, took its bite into the Arizona Diamondbacks as their Disabled List totaled a whopping 15 PLAYERS one point in the season, while playing 19 rookies in the season. (Second and First in the Majors, Respectively)
Tommy John/Broken Bone Epidemic-
2/5 of their starting rotation and 2/7 of their projected bullpen faced the knife for Tommy John surgery of their UCL. To make matters worst, the staff's ace, Patrick Corbin, was shelled prior to the season.
While, the Broken Bones piled up on the opening day lineup as MVP-CALIBER 1B Paul Goldschmidt missed the totality of the second half with a broken hand while Breakout Star A.J. Pollock missed the totality of the first half of the season. While, newly acquired power-bat Mark Trumbo was shelled for the majority of the season with a stress fracture in his foot.
It's practically impossible to stay relevant with the best 3 players on the team missing lengthy periods of time:
A.J. Pollack, Paul Goldschmidt, and Mark Trumbo.
Roster Retooling:
ERA: The pitching staff's ERA ranked 28th in the Majors.
Lineup Effectiveness: The lineup ranked 13th in the National League in terms of runs scored.
As a result of such underwhelming performances, the Arizona Diamondbacks pressed the Retool Button:
Record/Summary of 2014:
Record: Understandably, the Arizona Diamondbacks finished with the worst record in the majors! (64-98)
Summary of 2014: All-in-All, The 2014 Season was a season of ineffectiveness, the injury bug, and roster retooling! But, all is not lost as new management at the helm with top prospects on the cusp of Major League Impact, while returing to full health, the 2015 MLB Season Looks BRIGHT! (FIX)
Ineffectiveness:
Firstly, not even a month into the calendar season, both Trevor Cahill and Randall Delgado were demoted to both the bullpen and minors, because of ineffectiveness; both had ERAs north of 5.00. Much of the lineup was struggling immensely, specifically with both Aaron Hill and Martin Prado, the proven veterans on the club, as their batting average topped out at .250.
Injury Bug:
Also, the proverbial Injury Bug, took its bite into the Arizona Diamondbacks as their Disabled List totaled a whopping 15 PLAYERS one point in the season, while playing 19 rookies in the season. (Second and First in the Majors, Respectively)
Tommy John/Broken Bone Epidemic-
2/5 of their starting rotation and 2/7 of their projected bullpen faced the knife for Tommy John surgery of their UCL. To make matters worst, the staff's ace, Patrick Corbin, was shelled prior to the season.
While, the Broken Bones piled up on the opening day lineup as MVP-CALIBER 1B Paul Goldschmidt missed the totality of the second half with a broken hand while Breakout Star A.J. Pollock missed the totality of the first half of the season. While, newly acquired power-bat Mark Trumbo was shelled for the majority of the season with a stress fracture in his foot.
It's practically impossible to stay relevant with the best 3 players on the team missing lengthy periods of time:
A.J. Pollack, Paul Goldschmidt, and Mark Trumbo.
Roster Retooling:
ERA: The pitching staff's ERA ranked 28th in the Majors.
Lineup Effectiveness: The lineup ranked 13th in the National League in terms of runs scored.
As a result of such underwhelming performances, the Arizona Diamondbacks pressed the Retool Button:
- May 2014: Named Tony La Russa, one of the greatest minds in the game, Chief Baseball Officer
- May 2014: Traded Gerardo Parra, Martin Prado, Brandon McCarthy midseason for prospects
- June 2014: Fired GM Kevin Towers and Manager Kirk Gibson
- July 2014: Hired GM Dave Stewart and Manager Chip Hale
- August 2014: Acquired young PITCHING, which was a major need.
- November 2014: Made the biggest splash of the summer by signing Cuban Power-Bat Yasmany Tomas (R)
Record/Summary of 2014:
Record: Understandably, the Arizona Diamondbacks finished with the worst record in the majors! (64-98)
Summary of 2014: All-in-All, The 2014 Season was a season of ineffectiveness, the injury bug, and roster retooling! But, all is not lost as new management at the helm with top prospects on the cusp of Major League Impact, while returing to full health, the 2015 MLB Season Looks BRIGHT! (FIX)
2015 Season Preview
Projected Lineup, Starting Rotation, Bullpen
2015 Projected Lineup: (Position/(L/R)
| 2015 Projected Rotation: (L/R)
| 2015 Projected Bullpen: (Role/(L/R)
|
2015 Expectations/Projections
Expectations:
I expect a much more competitive baseball team as the D-Backs have the potential to stay competitive if healthy!
They also have the potential to have a Deadly Middle of the Order with Goldy, Trumbo, and Tomas.
I expect a much more competitive baseball team as the D-Backs have the potential to stay competitive if healthy!
They also have the potential to have a Deadly Middle of the Order with Goldy, Trumbo, and Tomas.