AZ Snake Pit Jan 17, 2021
Diamondbacks Most Valuable Player: Zac Gallen
Photo by Christian Petersen/ The SnakePit has spoken. A pitcher can also be the most valuable player... It was a two-horse race for this title, between Zac Gallen and Kole Calhoun. Well, at least it was, once I’d eliminated the person who had voted seven times for Tim Locastro. I’d like to thanks Mrs. Locastro for visiting the SnakePit. :) Otherwise though, I let the ballots fall where they may, and Gallen edged Calhoun, though the final margin was relatively tight - just two votes. And the SnakePit Supreme Court i.e. me, has declared that there will not be any...
AZ Snake Pit Jan 14, 2021
2020 SnakePit Awards: Most Valuable Player nominations
Photo by Norm Hall/ The final contenders in the last award for the 2020 season Thanks to those who chipped in with their nominees previously. Two names received multiple votes, though as usual there was some confusion i.e. Zac Gallen was already on the final ballot. Read the instructions, people. :) Anyway, Kole Calhoun and Christian Walker were deemed to be the two players most deserving of joining the Pitcher, Unsung Hero and Rookie of the Year winners on the final ballot. Details of all five candidates are below along with the usual poll. It will be interesting to...
AZ Snake Pit Jan 11, 2021
Diamondbacks’ Lineup Protection
A pregame line of players. | Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Did lineup protection positively impact the Diamondbacks in 2020? Does the Diamondback batting order have spots with lineup protection? Lineup protection means that the next batter is a power hitter who is respected by the other team’s pitcher. In theory, because of that next batter the pitcher gives the current batter pitches that are easier to hit. If I was a pitcher, the Diamondback power batters who would concern me most are Kole Calhoun and Christian Walker. This AZ SnakePit article concludes...
AZ Snake Pit Jan 4, 2021
2020 Arizona Diamondbacks Reviews: #2 Kole Calhoun
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Calhoun’s first season with his hometown team was a resounding success. Bio Name: Kole CalhounPosition: Right Fielder2020 Age: 32Acquired: Free Agent (2020)Rating: 7.80/10 Introduction Kole Calhoun grew up in Buckeye, a West Valley suburb, before attending Arizona State University and starting his professional career with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. A former 8th round pick, Calhoun’s overall production has been right around the level of an average starting right fielder. With the Diamondbacks struggling to find any stability...
AZ Snake Pit Dec 28, 2020
Will the Diamondbacks Have a Power Hitter Next Season?
Kole Calhoun | Photo by Christian Petersen/ The answer is based on Marcel, Steamer, and ZiPS projections. Although trades and free agent acquisitions could change the answer, the keys to finding an answer are: Define ‘power hitter.’ For this article, the key measure is homers per plate appearance. Nevertheless, two other measures could help define a ‘power hitter:’ barrel %, and hard hit %. These measures can be found at Baseball Savant. Project how well the Diamondbacks will bat. Good projection systems reflect player skills and are understandable. Although...
