As the saying goes, “C’s get degrees.” But does that apply to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025?
With MLB All-Star weekend closing in, ESPN’s David Schoenfield handed out his midseason grades. The D-backs earned a C.
One of the biggest reasons behind the middle-of-the-road grade? Arizona’s starting pitching woes.
After the aggressive move to sign Corbin Burnes, he went down with Tommy John surgery after 11 starts. Meanwhile, Zac Gallen, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt each have an ERA on the wrong side of 5.00. Rodriguez was better in June before a shellacking on July 4, while Gallen remains homer-prone, so it’s hard to tell if improvement is on the horizon.
While Gallen appears to be turning things around following a pair of strong starts this month, the same can’t be said for Rodriguez.
After allowing eight earned runs on July 4, Rodriguez saw four more cross the plate in Thursday’s loss to the San Diego Padres. He’s allowed 12 earned runs across the last 8.1 innings pitched.
It hasn’t just been the starting pitching, though, with the bullpen struggling to close out games.
Entering play Friday, Arizona has 17 blown saves. That’s tied with Toronto for the MLB lead.
It also doesn’t help that closer Shelby Miller is currently on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain. He (10 saves), Justin Martinez (five) and A.J. Puk (four) — two relievers lost for the year due to injury — make up 19 of Arizona’s 27 saves this year.
How can the Diamondbacks improve moving forward?
On top of getting the pitching back on track, Arizona must continue to be one of the top offensive teams in MLB (third with 468 RBIs, fourth with 137 home runs) behind a trio of All-Stars in Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Eugenio Suarez.
The D-backs are back in action Friday against the Anaheim Angels. First pitch is slated for 6:38 p.m. and can be heard on the Arizona Sports app, 98.7 and ArizonaSports.com.
