In professional sports, managers have to adapt to the strengths of their roster and play with them in mind.
Taking advantage of these strengths is crucial to put a team in a position to succeed.
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ most notable trait is their overall speed.
They have swept 17 bases so far in the 2023 campaign, and no National League team has more.
They don’t want to stop there, though.
“The @Dbacks have the most stolen bases in the NL and Manager Torey Lovullo wants more,” MLB Network Radio tweeted.
The @Dbacks have the most stolen bases in the NL and Manager Torey Lovullo wants more #Dbacks | #ArizonaBorn pic.twitter.com/FZ9ZUYxQOg
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) April 14, 2023
Lovullo discusses some of the conversations they had in spring training regarding stolen bases.
He says there is an organizational strategy involving how pitchers use the now-limited number of disengagements they have per at-bat.
The tools are there for Arizona to steal a lot more bases in the remainder of the season.
Exciting rookie Corbin Carroll leads the team with five and has 40-steal potential.
Then we have shortstop Nick Ahmed with three swipes; and Josh Rojas, Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy with two.
Three different players have contributed one to the cause.
It appears Lovullo is giving his players the green light to go steal bases whenever they see fit, understanding certain things about the new rules and dynamics.
There is no question that the D-Backs are becoming more and more exciting and easy to watch.
Their roster is full of talent, and there is more help on the way in the form of top prospects.
Let’s hope they can fully blossom this year or next.
NEXT:
Diamondbacks Remain Part Of A Special 2023 Group
