2026 MLB First-Half Recap: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Pitching

The Good

Amidst the fact that there have been so many great performances across hitters over the first half, Corbin Carroll posted a quiet yet strong first half. Carroll had the 12th-most extra-base hits (42) in the Majors over the first half, 10 of which were triples to lead the league, plus a .356 wOBA. That wOBA figure was 50th-best out of the 200 hitters with 200+ plate appearances.

Yet again, Carroll, alongside Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte, helped lead the D-Backs offense. However, one of the better stories from the first half was Ildemaro Vargas, the journeyman infielder who had a standout April with Arizona. Unfortunately for the D-Backs, he wasn’t able to come close to that pace from May 1 onward.

From that date through the break, Vargas slashed .201/.259/.254 with only eight extra-base hits over 60 contests.

As for the pitching staff, Paul Sewald is back and held down the Diamondbacks’ closer job. Without Justin Martinez or A.J. Puk in the bullpen, Sewald finished the first half with 22 saves, the sixth-most in the Majors.

Even without arguably the two most potent arms in the bullpen, Arizona’s crop of relievers has been very good this season. Veterans Juan Morillo and Jonathan Loaisiga pitched very well, while rookie Brandyn Garcia had one of the best opponents’ wOBA figures over the first half.

Arizona acquired him in the Josh Naylor trade last July.

Moving to the rotation, Michael Soroka continued his career renaissance. Soroka had one of the best HR/9 rates in the Majors over the first half, 79 strikeouts over 82 innings, and an ERA just a shade above 3.00. Soroka pitched like an All-Star, although he is currently on the IL.

Who did make the All-Star Game was Eduardo Rodriguez, who had a 2.29 ERA to finish with the eighth-best figure among starters with 75+ IP. Rodriguez continued the momentum from what was a strong World Baseball Classic, and while he doesn’t net a ton of strikeouts, he proved that deceptive pitchers still very much have a seat at the table.

The Bad

The Diamondbacks filled their hole over the winter at third base with Nolan Arenado, whom the team acquired in a trade with St. Louis. It was a cash dump for the Cardinals but also an opportunity for Arizona.

Thus far, the numbers have been better, as the multi-time Gold Glove winner racked up 22 extra-base hits from May 1 through the break. However, Arenado has also seen a significant uptick in strikeouts.

Arizona had trouble finding consistent help to go alongside Corbin Carroll in the outfield. Alek Thomas was designated for assignment after a down start to the 2026 campaign, while rookies Tommy Troy and Ryan Waldschmidt both saw time, albeit with mixed results.

However, the rotation has been a major weakness, aside from Rodriguez and Soroka.

Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen, both stalwarts of the organization and two who re-signed with the club in the winter, were among the bottom five of the league among starters in terms of wOBA.

The two were also among the most egregious in terms of home runs allowed, particularly concerning for a good groundball pitcher like Kell.

Looking Ahead

Like the Padres, the Diamondbacks are in it as of now. However, whether or not that holds remains to be seen.

Arizona likely won’t have a shot at the division. The NL Wild Card is the only real possibility, and Arizona will need the pitching to be there in order for that to happen.