PHOENIX — With the first half of the 2015 season in the books, the Arizona Diamondbacks (42-45) proved to be surprisingly competitive, finally reaching .500 again before dropping three games against the Mets heading into the All-Star break. Here’s the lowdown:
Best surprise
Coming into the season, shortstop Nick Ahmed had no real offensive pedigree. In four minor-league seasons, he owned a .269 average and a combined .711 on-base and slugging percentage (OPS), and a friendly hitting environment at Triple-A Reno helped those numbers.
After a slow start, it’s clear manager Chip Hale and the front office knew what they were talking about. Since May 12, Ahmed has hit .291 with a .792 OPS. He’s earned nods in the leadoff spot against left-handers and is on pace to hit 11 homers.
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Worst surprise
By taking a chance with Ahmed at short, the D-backs felt sure they’d at least get offense out of second base. So far, those hopes have been unfulfilled. Aaron Hill has hit just .211 with a .595 OPS in 201 at-bats, and Chris Owings hasn’t been much better with a .227 average and .570 OPS in nearly 300 at-bats.
Going by OPS, Arizona received the least amount of production out of second base of any NL team.
No surprise at all
The D-backs led the NL in scoring, but they live and die by their rotation. The outlook now seems no different than at the start: Arizona has promising starters, but they haven’t been consistent.
Robbie Ray is the team’s only unqualified success, and he’s had only eight starts. Archie Bradley looked good in his first two starts but has spent most of the year on the disabled list. Jeremy Hellickson and Rubby De La Rosa have shown flashes of why the organization traded for them.
Josh Collmenter has gone from Opening Day starter to the bullpen, and Chase Anderson has started giving up home runs in bunches after being so strong to start.
In total the rotation has posted a 4.66 ERA, fifth-worst in the majors.
