SCOTTSDALE — The Arizona Diamondbacks’ infield last season accounted for 27 defensive runs saved and 20 outs above average, making it one of the strongest units in MLB.
Three-time Gold Glove first baseman Christian Walker is now on Houston, which draws questions to how effective can this infield remain without such a force multiplier?
Ketel Marte is back at second base after he was named a Gold Glove finalist, while shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and third baseman Eugenio Suarez provide stability.
The comparative unknown is Josh Naylor taking over at first base, and the D-backs are going through the process of acclimating him. Arizona also has a new infield coach, as Shaun Larkin took over for Tony Perezchica, who is also with the Astros.
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In spring training, the infielders learn each others’ tendencies and develop trust, Perdomo explained, which is particularly important with a new first baseman.
“For example, Josh is in his first season with us, like he doesn’t know how many bad throws I’m going to make,” Perdomo told Arizona Sports. “Like he doesn’t know my (release) point from the ball. Sometimes here in spring training, even in practice, we tried to practice tough bounces, tough throws, just to be on the same page for the season.”
The Diamondbacks pride themselves on defense, and last season there were a few more inconsistencies than expected. Injuries to Perdomo, Walker and catcher Gabriel Moreno contributed. The club is betting on significant run prevention improvements.
Aces Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen put the ball on the ground more than the league average of 44%, while relievers Justin Martinez, Joe Mantiply and Ryan Thompson were amongst the best in the game at inducing grounders last season.
Diamondbacks defense working at fast pace
The speed and execution of that backfields work can be mesmerizing when the instruction to fungo hitters is to hit grounders as hard as possible to get the defenders’ clocks up to speed.
“I’m watching the pace in which guys are picking up the baseball and the footwork and the arm swing. How quickly are things moving and how quickly are they getting it into the slot? Is it consistent?” manager Torey Lovullo said.
“From day one, we have very aggressive fungo hitters, which I like. There are times where you work on your patterns and your habits, but there’s other times where you have to have very high intensity training. I’m gathering that we’re hitting ground balls pretty close to major league average, right around, I’m gonna say, mid 80s, close to 90 mph.”
Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Torey Lovullo touches on the defensive intensity he's seeing from his infielders so far this spring training: pic.twitter.com/AVwWvQ3NRA
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) March 5, 2025
Beyond the cracks of the bats is plenty of talking amongst players and coaches, both instructional and good-humored. Four-time Gold Glover Orlando Hudson’s projecting voice is a spring training staple.
“Early impressions is guys just get after it out here,” veteran newcomer and stalwart defender Garrett Hampson told Arizona Sports. “People love the work, which is awesome. … I think the earlier you can speed yourself up and practice at that type of speed is very important.”
"Hamps, atta boy" -Eugenio Suarez
Garrett Hampson flashes the leather up the middle and connects with Jordan Lawlar for the out pic.twitter.com/Nd9rRBaAMc
— Reno Aces (@Aces) March 7, 2025
Naylor told Arizona Sports last week he was impressed by the combination of focus and fun had by the group. Naylor played a career-high 137 games at first base last season with some up and down metrics (1 OAA, -4 defensive runs saved). As Perdomo said, not everyone is Walker, but the internal belief is Naylor will fill in effectively. He has shown the determination to do so.
“He’s out there early today, he texted me late last night about some concepts that came up in the game the other day, he’s all in,” Larkin told Arizona Sports. “He’s engaging, he’s curious and he wants to help our infielders be the best as well. His offensive prowess is well known, but the defensive side, he takes a lot of pride in, and he has really good questions. He cares.
“There’s definitely a need for everyone to get acclimated to each other,” Larkin added. “I think with the work that Naylor puts in and (Pavin Smith) puts in. I think they’re quickly realizing we have a couple guys that care. That’s all you can ask for.”
Lovullo said watching Naylor dive for grounders on Day 2 told him the club had a gamer.
Returning infielders look to step up
Marte was about as solid as any defender last year, amassing a career-high eight outs above average in 930 innings at second. He committed five errors for a fielding percentage of 99%. The key is staying healthy, which is where days off his feet as a DH will be utilized.
His double play partner, Perdomo, lost time with a torn meniscus last year, and he had to manage some discomfort throughout the season. He has five OAA over the past three years with improvements in mind, namely his range. Larkin expressed belief Perdomo can become one of the top defensive shortstops in the league, and the recently-extended infielder is hungry to get there.
“Just getting better, getting more range and making all the plays I can,” Perdomo said. “A base hit is a base hit, but if I can steal some base hits, I’m gonna be glad to be doing that. … Working on my first step, my pre-pitch, it’s the routine we have working out everyday in practice.”
“He wants it, he can do it, got the skill set for it and with the work he’s been putting in and the intent he has behind it, he’s a fun one to have now and for a longer term,” Larkin added.
Over at third, Suarez consistently posted despite early-season hitting struggles, playing 155 games at third base.
He believes he’s become an underrated defender at this point of his career after significant improvements over the past couple years.
“I feel like it was very good and I hope that this year can be better,” Suarez told Arizona Sports. “I work hard to be better every day, but overall, I feel happy about my defense. … I want to be one of the best in the league at third base.”
Despite the feeling that there is room to improve, the Diamondbacks committed the fewest errors in MLB for the second straight season last year (62) while also producing the second most OAA with 34.
The number of Gold Gloves owned by Diamondbacks infielders has taken a hit, but there remains a standard and confidence this group will be equipped remain impactful.
Pitching improvements will also aid the defense in a “help me help you” kind of way — Arizona allowed the third-highest hard-hit rate (33.6%) and highest line drive rate (21.1%) in MLB last year.
Getting stable play from understudies is also a priority.
Where does Jordan Lawlar fit in?
The plan for top prospect Jordan Lawlar is to continue getting reps at shortstop and third base as he competes for a roster spot, Lovullo explained. He is not playing second base, but that can change.
The public sentiment has been Lawlar will likely start in Triple-A Reno for playing time, but Lovullo also left the door open when discussing his positioning.
“Anything’s possible to happen. He might be our backup infielder, and we will have to get him reps at second base, but we talked about doing that a little bit later,” Lovullo said.
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