MLB Power Rankings: What was every team’s best offseason move?
For this week’s power rankings, we look at every MLB team’s top offseason addition. It’s often not the player you might expect.JUNE 5, 2023
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS 5-3 · 4TH IN NL WEST
5-3 · 4TH IN NL WEST
Diamondbacks exceeding even their own expectations in rapid rise to contention Just two seasons removed from losing 110 games, the Arizona Diamondbacks are tied for the NL's best record: \
JUNE 5, 2023 • USATODAY.COM
Scott McGough - Settling in as setup arm McGough struck out one over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 8-5 loss to Atlanta.
Impact McGough did his job in the eighth inning, but closer Miguel Castro let it slip away in the ninth. McGough faltered early in the season, but he's righted himself and back pitching in high-leverage spots. On May 6, the right-hander was 0-3 with three blown saves and a 5.87 ERA over 15.1 innings. In the same number of innings since then, McGough sports a 0.59 ERA with 20 strikeouts with just five hits allowed.
JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Jake McCarthy - Adds two more thefts McCarthy went 0-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases in Sunday's 8-5 loss to Atlanta.
Impact In his second MLB stint of 20203, McCarthy is showing off the same base-stealing skills he did when he got a second chance in 2022. Since returning from Triple-A Reno on May 26, the outfielder has swiped eight bases in nine games. McCarthy, who had a .229 on-base percentage before his demotion to Reno, has a .355 OBP since his recall.
JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Ketel Marte - Homers in loss Marte went 1-for-4 with a walk and two-run home run in Sunday's 8-5 loss to Atlanta.
Impact Marte's two-run home run in the fourth was shaping up to the game-winning hit, but Atlanta stunned the home team with a grand slam in the ninth to steal the victory. The homer was Marte's ninth in 56 games, which far outpaces the 12 hit over 137 games in 2022.
JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Corbin Carroll - Drills 10th homer Carroll went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and a walk in Sunday's loss to Atlanta.
Impact Carroll knocked a solo shot as part of Arizona's three-run third frame. The star rookie boosted his slash line to .286/.373/.523 with 10 home runs, 16 steals and 38 runs scored. He's hitting .326 with eight extra-base knocks over his last 12 contests.
JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Zac Gallen - Fans six in no-decision Gallen allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk over six innings in Sunday's loss to Atlanta. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.
Impact It wasn't Gallen's sharpest outing as he gave up a season-high nine hits but he escaped with just two earned runs against him. The 27-year-old also coughed up a homer for the first time since April 4. After a brutal outing against the Pirates, he's given up two or fewer earned runs in three straight outings, resulting in a 2.75 ERA across 78.2 frames. Gallen's next start is projected to be in Detroit.
JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Miguel Castro - Stumbles in ninth inning Castro (3-2) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks Sunday. He recorded two outs (one strikeout) while blowing a save chance and taking the loss against Atlanta.
Impact Castro entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead and coughed up a go-ahead grand slam. He was riding a 10.1-inning scoreless streak since May 7 when he gave up a homer and blew a save against Washington. The 28-year-old's ERA spiked to 3.46 with a 23:10 K:BB through 26 frames.
JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Eddie Rosario's grand slam powers Braves past Diamondbacks Eddie Rosario hit a grand slam with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to give the Atlanta Braves an 8-5 win over the Arizona Diamondba...
JUNE 4, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM
Rosario's grand slam caps Braves' 8-5 comeback win over Diamondbacks
Eddie Rosario hit a grand slam off Miguel Castro with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-5JUNE 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals Preview - 06/06/2023 This browser does not support the video element.
JUNE 4, 2023 • MLB.COM
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. - Not in Sunday's lineup Gurriel was removed from the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Impact The 29-year-old was initially slated to serve as the designated hitter Sunday, but he was instead a late scratch with Christian Walker cleared to return after sitting out Saturday with food poisoning. Gurriel started the previous nine games and figures to be back in the lineup Tuesday in Washington.
JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Christian Walker - Late add to lineup Walker (illness) is batting cleanup as the designated hitter Sunday against Atlanta, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Impact Walker was initially out of the lineup Sunday for the second straight game due to food poisoning, but he ended up being a late addition to the starting nine. Lourdes Gurriel was pulled from the lineup as a result.
JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Diamondbacks give manager Torey Lovullo 1-year extension The Arizona Diamondbacks gave manager Torey Lovullo a one-year contract extension through the 2024 season on Sunday.
JUNE 4, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Christian Walker - On bench for second straight Walker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
Impact Walker sat out Saturday's 5-2 loss in what was believed to be a rest day, but his absence from the lineup for the second straight day suggests he could be dealing with an injury or illness. Expect Arizona to provide an explanation on the matter later Sunday, but Emmanuel Rivera will fill in for Walker at first base in the series finale.
JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Gabriel Moreno - Resting Sunday Moreno is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
Impact Moreno looks to be receiving some routine maintenance in the series finale after drawing starts behind the plate Friday and Saturday. Jose Herrera will catch for starting pitcher Zac Gallen on Sunday.
JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Diamondbacks extend Lovullo's contract through 2024 season
The Arizona Diamondbacks have extended manager Torey Lovullo’s contract through the 2024 seasonJUNE 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Diamondbacks extend manager Torey Lovullo Arizona sits atop the National League West, tied with the Dodgers at 35-24.
JUNE 4, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Reports: Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo to receive 1-year extension Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo will have his contract extended through the 2024 season, multiple media outlets reported
JUNE 4, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM
Josh Rojas - Returns to lineup Rojas started at third base and went 1-for-4 in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta.
Impact The lefty-batting Rojas, who was given Friday off against a right-hander, was back in the lineup Saturday against Atlanta's Spencer Strider. Friday's off day notwithstanding, Rojas remains a regular presence against righties, but his overall production has dropped significantly since mid-April. He's hitting .165 (15-for-91) with a .481 OPS over the last 30 games. For the season, Rojas is batting .237 against right-handed pitching.
JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Pavin Smith - Back in lineup Smith batted leadoff and went 0-for-4 in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta.
Impact Smith was back in the lineup after getting a day off Friday. He also back at leadoff with Arizona facing right-hander Spencer Strider. The leadoff experiment started a couple of weeks ago and produced mixed results. Smith is 5-for-30 (.167) with five walks (.286 OBP) in eight games atop the order.
JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Diamondbacks vs. Braves Betting Odds, Over/Under, Spread - June 4
Preview the June 4 matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.JUNE 4, 2023 • DATA SKRIVE
Diamondbacks and Braves play to determine series winner
Both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves are looking for a series win with a victory on SundayJUNE 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Evan Longoria - Lifts eighth homer Longoria went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta.
Impact Longoria got Arizona on the board in the fifth inning with a blast off Spencer Strider. This was Longoria's fifth homer over his last 11 games, but that span dates back to May 9 as he remains in a part-time role. The veteran is batting just .216 on the year, but he's added a .505 slugging percentage, eight homers, four doubles, 13 RBI and 15 runs scored through 104 plate appearances.
JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Ryne Nelson - Struggles against Atlanta Nelson (2-3) took the loss Saturday versus Atlanta, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks with no strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
Impact Nelson's four walks matched his season high, and he needed 98 pitches (64 strikes) to get 14 outs. This was always going to be a tough matchup, and the silver lining is that he didn't get shelled. The 25-year-old is now at a 5.40 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 37:22 K:BB through 61.2 innings through 12 starts this season. Nelson is lined up for a more favorable road start in Detroit his next time out.
JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
