Relying on struggling rookies and underperforming veterans, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ fractured rotation risks collapsing.
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ biggest need has become increasingly clear.
If the team hopes to make a deep postseason run, its current starting rotation is unlikely to be enough.
Injuries have forced Arizona to rely on inexperienced arms, and waiting for reinforcements to return may not be a realistic solution given the uncertainty surrounding several key pitchers.
That reality has become more apparent in recent weeks.
The Diamondbacks turned to rookies Mitch Bratt and Kohl Drake for two important starts, hoping both young pitchers could provide stability while the rotation continues to battle injuries.
Although each has flashed promising potential during his time in MLB, both struggled against a productive Washington Nationals lineup.
Bratt allowed five runs on seven hits (one home run) in five innings while also putting 12 baserunners on. Drake encountered similar difficulties, surrendering two home runs on five hits during a four-inning outing in which he allowed four runs.
Those performances proved especially costly because Arizona lost both games by fewer runs than their starting pitchers surrendered.
Lack of consistency all around
Veteran Merrill Kelly has posted a 4.86 ERA in 109.1 innings over 19 starts while continuing to battle inconsistent command.
Zac Gallen, when healthy, carried the worst ERA among qualified starters at 6.34, another indication of how much the rotation has underperformed throughout the season.
There is also uncertainty surrounding the rest of the staff.
Ryne Nelson may not be able to fully build back up, while Corbin Burnes is not expected to return until September after recovering from Tommy John surgery and a right shoulder injury. Michael Soroka is progressing but there’s no timetable for his return.
Even when Burnes is healthy enough to pitch again, there is no guarantee he will immediately return to his previous level of effectiveness. The same can be said for Soroka.
Taken together, those circumstances leave Arizona facing a difficult reality as the trade deadline approaches.
The Diamondbacks simply need starting pitching, perhaps more than any other area on the roster.
A glaring need
Finding quality starters before the deadline is never easy, particularly when nearly every contender is searching for the same commodity.
Even so, it is an issue general manager Mike Hazen cannot afford to overlook if the organization wants to remain competitive during the final stretch of the season.
Without meaningful improvements to the rotation, the Diamondbacks could find themselves asking too much of both their bullpen and their offense on a nightly basis.
Addressing the starting staff should remain the organization’s top priority before the deadline passes.
The Diamondbacks have talented pieces throughout the organization. However, assembling a balanced and reliable rotation will be essential if the team hopes to maximize both its immediate postseason aspirations and its long-term outlook.
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