Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt’s dominant run has stabilized a shaky rotation to keep the Arizona Diamondbacks’ postseason dreams alive.
The Arizona Diamondbacks continue holding onto the third National League Wild Card spot entering play Wednesday, one game ahead of the San Diego Padres.
If Arizona hopes to remain in the postseason race over the final weeks of the regular season, Brandon Pfaadt could become one of the team’s most important players.
The Diamondbacks’ rotation has faced significant challenges throughout the season.
Injuries have forced Arizona to rely heavily on inexperienced pitchers. And waiting for reinforcements to return remains a risky strategy given the uncertainty surrounding several key starters.
Veteran Merrill Kelly owns a 5.04 ERA in 114.1 innings over 20 starts while continuing to battle inconsistent command.
Zac Gallen, when healthy, carried the highest ERA among qualified starters at 6.34, another indication of how much the rotation has struggled this season.
Questions also remain elsewhere on the pitching staff.
Ryne Nelson may not be able to fully build back up, Corbin Burnes is not expected to return until September as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and a right shoulder injury. And Michael Soroka continues progressing without a 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 uncertainty applies to Soroka.
Pfaadt’s surge
That has made Pfaadt’s emergence even more valuable. The right-hander earned the victory on Monday’s 5-1 home win against the Padres after allowing one unearned run on five hits while striking out three and walking one in 6.2 innings.
He kept San Diego’s lineup under control throughout the night, with the only run against him coming in the seventh inning after an error.
Since returning from Triple-A on June 30, Pfaadt has been one of the hottest pitchers in MLB.
He’s compiled a 6-0 record with a 1.55 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 40.2 innings across seven starts.
Pfaadt owns a 3.66 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 52:22 K:BB in 78.2 innings over 20 appearances (10 starts) this season.
He is tentatively scheduled to face the Los Angeles Dodgers at home on Saturday in what could become another critical game for Arizona’s postseason hopes.
Pfaadt’s upside
Pfaadt’s recent success reflects more than improved results. Throughout his development, he has demonstrated resilience by responding positively to adversity rather than allowing setbacks to define his season.
That ability to make adjustments has become one of his greatest strengths.
He also attacks hitters with confidence and trusts his pitch mix, allowing him to work efficiently while maintaining his composure in difficult situations.
As his confidence has grown, so has his ability to navigate quality lineups deep into games.
Perhaps most importantly, Pfaadt has embraced responsibility during a period when Arizona desperately needed someone to stabilize the rotation.
With several experienced starters sidelined or struggling, he has stepped into a much larger role and helped keep the Diamondbacks firmly in the NL Wild Card race.
