Average Season for the 2019 Diamondbacks
The 2019 Arizona Diamondbacks team was as “average” as you can get. They won 17 and lost 17 against the NL East. The team went 16 and 16 against the NL Central and 38 and 38 against the NL West.
They were within two games of .500 (plus or minus) for 60 games, an MLB record. The stretch lasted from June 18, when they lost to the Colorado Rockies to fall to 38-36, through August 30, when they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers to improve to 69-66. Only inter-league play, where they won 14 games, saved them from a .500 season.
Before the start of the 2019 season, pundits predicted them to finish with a losing record and finish fourth or fifth in the NL West. Instead, the team finished 85-77, second in the NL West.
2019 Diamondbacks Starting Pitching and Bullpen Numbers
The starting pitchers finished up with a 4.25 ERA, 12th best in the league. Robbie Ray started the most games with 33. He led the team with 235 strikeouts. Merrill Kelly pitched the most innings (183 1/3) and led the team in wins with 13. Luke Weaver, who only made 12 starts due to injury, had the lowest ERA among starters at 2.94. None of the starters pitched a complete game.
The 2019 Diamondbacks bullpen had a 4.26 ERA. Archie Bradley pitched 71 2/3 innings to lead all relievers. Though he was never named it, Bradley appeared to be the unofficial closer for the team in the second half of the season and after the release of Greg Holland. He finished the season with 18 saves. Andrew Chafin appeared in the most games with 77 and had 23 holds.
Offensive Numbers
Looking at the 2019 Diamondbacks offense reveals 45 players saw action in the 2019 season. Together they had a.252 team batting average, the 13th best in the league. The team finished the season ranked 19th in the league with 220 home runs. They averaged 5.02 runs per game, 11th-best in the league. They scored 813 runs and had a +70 run differential.
Ketel Marte held the highest batting average at .329. Marte also led the team with the most hits (187) and finished fourth in the NL MVP voting. Eduardo Escobar had the most home runs, with 35, and the most RBI, with 118.
Nick Ahmed and Escobar played in the most games with 158 each.
Defensive Numbers
The 2019 Diamondbacks finished 10th overall in fielding. They had only 85 errors committed and held a .986 fielding percentage. The team was first in total chances with 5990 and fifth in putouts with 4354. They tied for fourth in assists with 1551. The team turned 138 double plays and finished third overall with 19 pickoffs.
Ahmed led all shortstops with 19 defensive runs saved. He and outfielder David Peralta, along with departed pitcher Zack Greinke, won Gold Gloves.
Records Set in 2019 by the Diamondbacks
The 2019 Diamondbacks broke a league record alongside the Philadelphia Phillies this season for most home runs in one game — a franchise-record eight home runs (out of 13 total) in a 13–8 win on June 10.
Additionally, they set a franchise record when their game against the St. Louis Cardinals lasted 19 innings, the longest game by innings played in Diamondback history. At six hours and 53 minutes from start to finish, it was also the longest game by time ever played at Chase Field. Also a team record was the use of 30 players during the game.
Frustrating and Exciting
The 2019 version of the Arizona Diamondbacks was at times incredibly frustrating and incredibly exciting to watch. It seemed like every time they were close to something special, for example after a long winning streak or fantastic showing, they were brought back to earth by a losing streak or an injury. With the 2019 season over they will make changes and look to remove the “average team” tag. Now, they need to look to improving on their record, once again exceeding expectations and generating a renewed excitement that a playoff spot could be in line for the 2020 season.
