Mark Reynolds: Biggest Key For Diamondbacks in 2009

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

For a team that is currently 17-24, has been without its ace since Opening Day, and has already made a change at manager, any sign of progress is worth noting.

Arizona has won four out of six on its current road trip—the closest thing to a “roll” for the Diamondbacks so far this season—and much of that success has been because of third baseman Mark Reynolds.

Reynolds collected seven hits in the Diamondbacks’ four-game series against Florida, including four home runs. He also stole six bases (four in one game) and made several stellar defensive plays at the hot corner.

Reynolds especially caught fire in the Diamondbacks’ final two games against the Marlins.

In the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader, he hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to tie the game at seven and then added a solo shot in the 12th inning that should have been the game-winner if Arizona’s bullpen had done its job.

Then in Thursday’s finale against Florida, Reynolds drove in three more runs, with two of them coming on a long ball in the eighth inning that gave the Diamondbacks a 4-3 lead and did hold as the game-winner.  

Arizona fans have always had a love-hate relationship with Reynolds. His power is undeniable, but he struck out a record 204 times last season and committed 34 errors at third base.

Many argued that those sub-par numbers made him more of a liability in the lineup than his home run potential made him an asset.

But this season, Reynolds has become a much more balanced hitter—his numbers are up in virtually every offensive category—and he has also been more reliable in the field.

Reynolds still strikes out too much and won’t win a Gold Glove anytime soon, but he is showing positive signs that he can be more than an “all-or-nothing” hitter.

And with Chris Young and Chad Tracy both currently batting under .200, Conor Jackson battling Valley Fever and pneumonia, and Stephen Drew still coming back from a hamstring injury, consistent offensive production from Reynolds is desperately needed.

Justin Upton is unquestionably the Diamondbacks’ brightest young star, but the play of Reynolds is the biggest key to Arizona beginning to salvage something out of what has been a bleak 2009 season so far.

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