Arizona Diamondbacks Mid-Season Report Card

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Oh, the eternal hope of spring, how fast you fade away.  I feel like a Cubs fan.  Actually, at least recently the Cubs have been making it interesting into September, this Arizona Diamondbacks team lost hope after April.

This season can only be described as the worst season in the history of the team.  Yes, even worse than the 2004 season, because everyone knew the team would be bad that year.

This team had hope, this team had expectations, and this team has crashed hard.

So what has the halfway point brought thus far?  Let's take a look around the diamond:

First base:

The team decided not to offer arbitration to Adam Dunn and instead gave the reigns to...I am really not sure. 

Chad Tracy and Tony Clark had the first crack at it.  Clark was hurt, then Tracy landed on the DL. 

So Josh Whitesell was called up and given a chance.  Well, not really.  The team has flip-flopped between keeping him out there and playing veterans.  I just feel bad for the kid.

The best decision that has been made at first base was to move Mark Reynolds there.  Reynolds is having his best professional season, proving to be a prototypical cleanup hitter.

Even though Reynolds himself would receive an A for his season, the first base position will receive a D.  Until Reynolds is over there full-time, that is all I can give them.

Final Verdict: D

Second Base: 

Orlando Hudson turned down the initial offer from the team, and the Diamondbacks decided to let him walk and take a draft pick instead. 

The team then signed Felipe Lopez.  I can't say much about Lopez other than he has million dollar talent but a ten cent head.

Lopez is hitting over .300 from the leadoff position and playing every day.  The problem is that he makes at least one mental error each game.  Whether it be not running out a ground ball or failing to go from first to third on a ball in the gap, Lopez has one play a game that makes you go, "Huh?!"

Final Verdict: C-

Third Base: 

This falls in line with first base.  If Reynolds was playing the hot corner every day, I would give the position a B+ or an A-.  But he is not, and they are rotating light-hitting players like Augie Ojeda and Ryan Roberts. 

They need to either find another third baseman or a first baseman and make a decision with Reynolds.

Final Verdict: C-

Shortstop: 

A position that is one of the the strengths on this team.  While Stephen Drew struggled out of the gate, he has played great defense, and is now beginning to drive the ball to all fields.

Stephen Drew joins Mark Reynolds as the only viable building block in the infield.

Final Verdict: B+

Left Field: 

Oh, left field.  Remember the days when all that happened was No. 20 suited up and produced .300, 30, and 120 every year.  Those were the days.

Sadly, Luis Gonzalez is not walking through the door anytime soon so we are stuck with what we have, a trio of Conor Jackson, Gerardo Parra and...I really don't even like writing it, Eric Byrnes. 

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