Arizona Diamondbacks Announce Major Changes in Coaching Staff for Next Season
In a bid to recover from their near-miss playoff attempt, the Arizona Diamondbacks confirmed a significant overhaul of their coaching staff on October 3, 2024.
Key Departures from the Diamondbacks’ Coaching Team
According to the team’s announcement, pitching coach Brent Strom, assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson, and bullpen coach Mike Fetters will not be resuming their roles in the upcoming year. The shakeup in the coaching lineup comes as the team aims to rebuild and bounce back after narrowly missing the playoffs.
Arizona’s Struggle with Injuries and High-Priced Signings
The Arizona-based team faced a barrage of injuries to their pitching staff throughout the season, which significantly affected their performance. Key players such as Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, and previously trusted closer Paul Sewald all spent time on the injured list.
In an interview with Arizona Sports, Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick admitted his mistake in the expensive acquisition of Montgomery. Despite the high hopes pegged on him, Montgomery underperformed and was subsequently relegated to the bullpen.
Diamondbacks’ Offensive and Defensive Performance
Despite having the highest-scoring offense in baseball with an average of 5.47 runs per game, the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff was one of the weakest in the league, with a troubling Earned Run Average (ERA) of 4.62.
End of Season Standings and Future Expectations
The Diamondbacks, who were the reigning champions of the National League, ended the season with a tie at 89-73 alongside Atlanta and the New York Mets. However, they lost the chance to progress into the playoffs due to unfavorable tiebreakers.
As the Arizona Diamondbacks look forward to the next season, the revamp in their coaching staff signifies their commitment to improvement and a strong comeback in the upcoming games.