2025 MLB Season Recap: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Pitching

The Good

Last season, the Diamondbacks were the highest-scoring offense in the Majors. While Arizona couldn’t replicate those numbers in 2024, the D-Backs came awfully close. Arizona finished top-10 in the league in runs scored, home runs, and OPS. And, the Diamondbacks had three hitters finish in the top-15 in wOBA: Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Geraldo Perdomo.

Marte had — yet again — another big season. The 31-year-old posted his third-straight 25+ home run campaign, torching both left and right-handed pitchers. Carroll, meanwhile, tweaked his stance between 2024 and 2025. Instead of holding the bat flat and high, he was more perpendicular, and it helped in a big way. Carroll posted a 30-30 season for the first time in his career.

The 25-year-old had career-highs in triples (17) and home runs (31).

Perdomo, meanwhile, had a career season for the D-Backs. The 25-year-old hit 20 home runs, an incredible number given he hit 14 across his first three pro seasons. And like in past years, he did what he normally did: cover ground in the infield, and at the dish, put the ball in play, and accrue walks.

It wasn’t just those three who were key contributors. Josh Naylor slashed .292/.360/.447 (.807 OPS) with 31 extra-base hits. Eugenio Suarez blasted 36 home runs, 31 of which came before the All-Star break. However, both ended their seasons with Seattle.

As for the pitching staff, it was an adventure (and I’ll get more into that in a bit). However, it would be a good idea to start with those who worked well in 2025 — specifically, Ryne Nelson.

Nelson was a Swiss Army Knife for the D-Backs this past season. He worked both as a reliever and starter but mostly in the latter. Nelson was pivotal for the Diamondbacks’ second-half push. He posted a 3.09 ERA, with 65 hits allowed and 67 strikeouts over 75.2 IP.

So, what exactly worked well for Nelson? The four-seamer, as Nelson’s fastball earned an obscene +23 Run Value. Nelson’s four-seamer can run up to 97 MPH, hard but not top 1% hard. What aided that fastball, though, is plus extension, carry, and cut. It made for one of the best chase pitches in the game.

Across the final two months of the season, no pitcher accrued more chases (27) off the four-seamer than Nelson.

Merrill Kelly, the adept veteran who’s been a key arm over the last few seasons, posted a stellar 134 ERA+ while in the desert. Both he and Nelson were among the best performers for the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff, which had its ups and downs.

The Bad

Injuries, injuries, injuries.

The Diamonbacks sustained serious losses in 2025 that will affect their 2026 season. Corbin Burnes, the marquee acquisition last winter for Arizona, pitched well after a brief early-season scuffle. However, after 64.1 IP, he suffered an elbow injury that eventually required Tommy John surgery in June.

That’ll leave Burnes out for most — if not all — of the 2026 campaign. But he was just one of several in-season losses. Arizona lost Justin Martinez to Tommy John surgery, while A.J. Puk also needed major elbow surgery.

Arizona had to get creative to make up for its losses. Forty-two pitchers threw in at least one game this season for the D-Backs, even though their rotation sustained relative stability. Only seven pitchers made at least five starts this past season.

It helped that Shelby Miller performed very well as the interim closer before he was traded at the deadline, along with Jordan Montgomery (Montgomery also needed TJ surgery), to the Brewers. Late in the season, Taylor Rashi and Brandyn Garcia, the latter of whom was acquired from Seattle, logged key innings for the D-Backs.

But nonetheless, pitching was arguably the key reason why Arizona couldn’t make it back to October. It wasn’t just because of injuries, either. Brandon Pfaadt may have led the NL in BB/9 (1.9). However, he also gave up a lot of contact. Zac Gallen, the soon-to-be free agent, gave up 31 home runs and recorded a 4.83 ERA.

Put all of that together, and it’s not shocking to see why the Diamondbacks gave up the fourth-most runs in the National League. And, why Suarez, Naylor, Kelly, and Miller were traded in July.

Early Projected Lineup for 2026

• C: Gabriel Moreno
• 1B: Tyler Locklear
• 2B: Ketel Marte
• 3B: Jordan Lawlar
• SS: Geraldo Perdomo
• OF: Jake McCarthy (LF), Alek Thomas (CF), Corbin Carroll (RF)
• DH: Pavin Smith
• SP: Eduardo Rodriguez, Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, Yilber Diaz, [FA/CALLUP]
• RP: Andrew Saalfrank, Taylor Rashi, Ryan Thompson, Brandyn Garcia, Juan Burgos, Juan Morillo, [FA/CALLUP]

There’s plenty of room for change here. The Diamondbacks won’t have Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for a healthy chink of the 2026 season, as the veteran suffered a torn ACL this past September and will require roughly nine to 10 months to rehab. Additionally, Tyler Locklear will need to rehab, as he dealt with his injury problems.

Arizona does have prospects who could make an impact next season. Former first-rounder Tommy Troy hit well in both Double-A and Triple-A this season. Kohl Drake, acquired in the Kelly deal, is also an option for the rotation.

However, it’s very much unclear how much Arizona will add between now and Opening Day 2026. Owner Ken Kendrick stated after the season ended that payroll will likely drop, meaning Arizona may not add much to offset potential losses.