PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks supervisor Torey Lovullo envisioned hugging Nick Ahmed as his staff clinched a postseason berth for the primary time since 2017.
Ahmed has been with the D-Backs since 2013, made his MLB debut with the membership in 2014, and has been the one participant at the roster right through Lovullo’s complete tenure.
He is been thru a 2017 playoff berth and a 110-loss season. Simplest 4 avid gamers have performed extra video games (885) within the uniform: Luis Gonzalez, Paul Goldschmidt, David Peralta and Miguel Montero.
That they had been in combination for goodbye that Lovullo felt he knew what Ahmed was once considering via taking a look at her and vice versa.
The Diamondbacks went within the different path on Wednesday, hiring Ahmed within the ultimate levels in their playoff push to name up Jordan Lawler, the consensus top-ranked prospect within the group.
After Arizona’s 12–5 win over the Colorado Rockies, common supervisor Mike Hazen and Lovullo informed him that Ahmed didn’t see this taking place.
However he understood it.
“Clearly, I am disillusioned,” Ahmed stated. “I have spent a large number of time right here. Gave it my all. … 10 years and 10 mins to tear off the band assist. … Mike Hazen referred to as me up with Torry and defined that they’d name up Lawler and take a look at to box a greater lineup in opposition to left-handed pitching. I did not do an excellent task this yr, clearly, particularly hitting out in opposition to the left. So I perceive, I did not do my task correctly.”
Ahmed hasn’t ever been offensive, however he was once one of the most absolute best defenders in baseball for a very long time. From 2015–19, no person in MLB had a better strikeout reasonable than Ahmed, with 76, and he was once No. 5 in defensive runs stored with 73. He received two Gold Glove Awards.
Stuck him in time. percent.twitter.com/DB8LTdUxO1
— mlb (@mlb) 11 Might 2021
In 2020, he had a downed bat within the final 3 seasons after injuring his shoulder whilst diving for a ball. This yr, he has hit in opposition to righties at shortstop with Geraldo Perdomo. He is had conventional splits for many of his occupation, however this season, his .404 OPS as opposed to southpaws has been the bottom in baseball amongst certified hitters.
Lovullo stated Ahmed took Wednesday’s dialog higher than he did.
“He stated he did not do his task and it was once his duty,” Lovullo stated. “He took possession, he took responsibility. In instances of disaster, you notice an actual individual, you notice an actual individual. He was once the entirety you possibly can be expecting.”
Ahmed stated he’s now totally recovered after getting back from surgical treatment, however admitted that obtaining again to paintings has been a large problem. He claimed that he didn’t remorseful about diving for that ball.
His function this yr was once additionally a big adjustment. He began 56 of Arizona’s 140 video games.
“If truth be told I have by no means been on or performed on any form of staff in my complete existence,” Ahmed stated. “When I used to be now not within the lineup or at the box, I attempted to the most efficient of my skill to lend a hand and inspire all of our younger guys and people who had been suffering. In finding recommendations on pitchers, draft guys and such things as that. The side of now not having the ability to be within the lineup and now not having the ability to do what you like is difficult.”
Lovullo stated that Ahmed’s function by no means suited him.
That they had some difficult conversations about it all through the years, which Lovullo stated did not at all times cross neatly. Lovullo defined that Ahmed would force the ones conversations to hunt solutions.
“He understood that for the nice of the staff and what I used to be asking, he was once going to do what he was once informed, and that’s what I admire maximum about him. He was once adaptable,” Lovullo stated.
Ahmed stated he can be keen if he discovered a equivalent function in other places, and Lovullo felt his days in MLB weren’t over but.
Ketel Marte now holds the lead for many video games performed amongst energetic Arizona avid gamers with 772.
The D-Backs are staring down the playoff desk with 22 video games last. Lawler is anticipated to begin each sport in opposition to left-handers.
Lovullo stated it might be thrilling to have the 21-year-old within the squad.
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