(Photo courtesy of Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
There is no question that the Arizona Diamondbacks have underperformed during their 2021 campaign. Between injuries and lack of production from most of the roster, the club will put a stamp on a 100-plus loss season at the beginning of October.
The Diamondbacks saw four key players suffer major injuries this season: Ketel Marte, Kole Calhoun, Luke Weaver and Zac Gallen among others.
The most impactful of that bunch was Calhoun. The outfielder was arguably the best bat in the lineup in 2020, but due to two hamstring injuries and a knee injury, he only played in 36 games. He recently returned to the lineup against the Houston Astros on September 17 following his most recent trip to the IL.
Calhoun said of his second hamstring injury “It’s been a heck of a year, man. A knee and a hamstring, getting the chance to come back… It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. It is what it is. I can’t change it. Just kind of deal with it now.”
With injury comes new opportunities, something the Diamondbacks have presented a lot of to a variety of different players this season.
The Diamondbacks have set a franchise record for players used in a season, with the number currently sitting at 64. Some have had success, while others have had short tenures with the club or have since been sent down to the Minor Leagues.
One of these players is left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert, who made his Major League debut in August. He was a starter in the minors but upon being called up he was thrown in the bullpen for a few games before making his first big league start.
That first start proved to be historic, as Gilbert tossed a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres on August 14. It was the first no-hitter in Chase Field history and the fourth such occasion that a player has thrown a no-hitter in their first career start.
Gilbert has pitched to a 3.15 ERA this season with the Diamondbacks in 40 innings of work.
Another notable player to debut was the Diamondbacks no. 12 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Seth Beer. Beer had been a name the Diamondbacks have hoped to see play in 2021, and he delivered immediately, homering in his first at-bat in Seattle.
Beer currently resides on the injured list after dislocating his shoulder against the Los Angeles Dodgers a week ago, but not before going 4-for-9 at the plate to start his career.
While their role may not have been as significant early in the season, some players have found more playing time during the home stretch of the season, much like second baseman Josh VanMeter.
The 24-year-old second baseman has been able to play in 102 games after spending most of June in Triple-A. After hitting .388 in 19 games with Triple-A Reno, VanMeter was called back up for good.
While VanMeter has been one of the more unproductive pieces for Arizona this season, he’s filled in at second and third base when needed for the Diamondbacks.
Another recent newcomer, outfielder Henry Ramos, has been solid for the Diamondbacks. Since his callup, he has had his fair share of highlight-reel moments, from big hits to incredible catches.
While he is currently hitting a meager .207 with one home run and six RBI in ten games, he has provided a bit of a spark to the lineup at times.
While the Diamondbacks have been tough to watch at times, it has been a year of development and opportunity for the organization as a whole. This season has given them a chance to assess what they want the future to look like, by featuring a multitude of prospects and new faces at the Major League level.
Contact the reporter at mgaraffa@asu.edu.
