Diamondbacks 2022 Recap

 

As we gear up for the start of the 2023 season, we reflect on the Arizona Diamondbacks 2022 season. The Arizona Diamondbacks would finish the season 74-88, with any playoff hopes not coming to fruition. Although falling short of playoffs is never the goal, the Diamondbacks found little successes throughout the season. Their main goal and success can be summed up by one word, REBUILD. With new faces on the field, they started to build a new foundation that focused on the younger players in the organization. 

There were many call-ups throughout the season, but the biggest and most anticipated was 2019 first-rounder and top prospect, Corbin Carroll. Carroll was called up from Triple-A Reno Aces to debut on August 29th against the Philadelphia Phillies. His debut did not disappoint when he broke the tie in the fifth inning with a two-run double after they trailed 7-0 early in the game. The Diamondbacks would then go on to beat the Phillies 13-7 for the biggest comeback win in franchise history. His impact and the success he brought to the team was noticed early on, hitting  .260 with 26 hits, 13 RBIs, and 12 runs in his first 31 days. Alek Thomas was another call-up who proved he was worthy of being on the field, he earned his spot at center for the remainder of the season and finished with a .231 AVG with 88 hits, 39 RBIs, and 8 home runs. 

Other notable players were Merrill Kelly who started the 2022 season with a 15- inning scoreless streak and went on to become the National League Pitcher of the month in July and player of the week July 31st.  Finishing the season with 177 K’s, an ERA of 3.37, and a whip of 1.14. He was even able to achieve a personal goal of throwing a total of 200.1 innings. His record of 200.1 IP ranked fifth in the National League and seventh overall in baseball.

  The next month Zac Gallen would be named the National League Pitcher for the month of August when he had a 44.1 inning streak not giving up any runs. Gallen finished the season with 192 K’s and an ERA of 2.54 with a 0.91 whip. These two would play a huge part in the season as the Diamondbacks struggled in pitching, spending the majority of the season with only four out of five starting pitchers for their five-man rotation.

Another success for the season came when relief pitcher Joe Mantiply was the only one out of the team to be selected for the All-Star game. Securing a 1-2-3 inning in the game. 

Overall the Diamondbacks 2022 season had its memorable moments and highlights that created the momentum they need as we look to a new season and the future.