D-Backs Reach Halfway Mark: Personal Milestones and Player Progress

The halfway point of the MLB season has arrived, with the Diamondbacks playing their 81st game, a loss against the Rays. This season has been a rollercoaster, showcasing both thrilling highs and disappointing lows. Injuries have plagued key players, hindering the D-Backs from fully realizing their potential. Yet, amidst the team’s inconsistency, individual performances have shone brightly, featuring remarkable plays and captivating debuts. At 41-40, the team’s record mirrors their position at this time last year, prompting a timely check-in on personal milestones set at the season’s outset.

Among the notable figures is the club’s unofficial captain, who has experienced a tumultuous first half. He began the season sluggishly, with his OPS plummeting to .619 by May 15 after an 0-for-5 outing against the Rockies. Alarmingly, he had recorded just five home runs and 12 extra-base hits in 41 games. However, since that low point, he has transformed into one of the league’s top hitters, boasting a .329/.381/.580 slash line, eight home runs, and 20 extra-base hits over the next 35 games. This resurgence places him in striking distance of his career norms of .280/.349/.472, 23 home runs, and 65 extra-base hits. With a chance to reach 28 home runs for a total of 200 in his career, he remains a player to watch as the season progresses.

The acquisition of Nolan Arenado by Mike Hazen during the offseason appeared to be a savvy move, bolstering the D-Backs’ defense while adding veteran leadership. While Arenado was not expected to deliver MVP-caliber offense, he has exceeded expectations at the plate. With 61 hits already this season, he is on track to reach 2,000 career hits, potentially hitting the milestone by the All-Star Break if he maintains his form. Additionally, he is just 0.9 bWAR away from achieving a career total of 60, a feat that would make him the 132nd position player in MLB history to reach that mark. This achievement could signal a return to form for Arenado and positive developments for the D-Backs.

Paul Sewald carved his name into Diamondbacks lore during the 2023 World Series with an impressive eight-game, eight-inning scoreless streak that propelled the team to the championship. However, his performance dipped in 2024, with his ERA rising from 3.12 to 4.31 and his ERA+ dropping from 132 to 98, despite securing 16 saves. As a result, the D-Backs allowed him to depart in the offseason. Although his performance remained inconsistent in 2025, he found himself in a lower tier of relievers. Given the struggles of the Arizona bullpen, Sewald was slotted into the closer role, pending the return of AJ Puk and Justin Martinez from injury. Notably, Sewald has accumulated 86 saves over the last five years, reaching a milestone of 100 saves by the end of May. If he continues as the closer, the next target of 125 saves is within reach as the D-Backs lean on him in the second half of the season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.