The 2012 season for the Arizona Diamondbacks will end on October 3, 2012, and fans wonder why some key players had disappointing years.
In 2011, Upton was the D-backs' offensive leader who ended up winning the Silver Slugger for right fielders by hitting 31 homers and 88 RBIs with an average of .289 and slugging .529.
In 2012, Upton has only hit 17 home runs and his slugging percentage is down to .433. Further, he was the center of trade talks during June and July, which may have caused him to slump a bit. I know that the D-backs need his bat if the D-backs want to regain the NL West title in 2013.
A Cy Young hopeful in 2011 after ending the season with a record of 21-4, the D-backs ace opened the 2012 season against the San Francisco Giants' Tim Lincecum on April 6. Kennedy won the first game and the D-backs swept the Giants in the opening series.
All looked bright for Kennedy, who started the season 3-0. Kennedy then went 1-5 in May and 2-2 in June before regaining his control in July with a 3-1 record. Kennedy's ERA was 2.88 in 2011, but almost doubled to 4.88 in 2012.
I referred to Hudson and Kennedy as "Dueling Aces" in 2011 since both had ace like numbers. Hudson finished 2011 with a record of 16-12 and an ERA of 3.49.
Hudson pitched 9 games in 2012 before ending the season with a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow after his start against the Atlanta Braves on June 26.
Hudson had Tommy John surgery the first week of July and won't pitch until after the 2013 All-Star Game based on the 12-month recovery time needed after the surgery.
Before his elbow injury, Hudson was 3-2 with an ERA of 7.35, and spent time on the DL for a shoulder impingement.
Since I have watched Young play for the D-backs, I have noticed his inconsistent hitting with an average as low as .212 in 2009 and as high as .257 in 2010--his only All-Star year.
2012 became another down year for Young. He averaged .230 and slugged .435. If it were not for his defensive skills, Young would not be a player for much longer.
In 2013, the D-backs will again be looking at four outfielders--Young, Upton, Jason Kubel, and Gerardo Parra. Kubel has not disappointed fans hitting a team high 30 homers and 90 RBI as of September 30.
Fans are looking for the D-backs to finish above .500 this year, needing at least two wins against the Colorado Rockies on Oct. 1-3 to guarantee a wining season with a record of 82-80.
Phillip Jackson, a long time baseball fan, has been living in Phoenix since 1981 and a fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks since the team was awarded circa 1996. Follow him on Twitter @Pjacksonaz
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Sources
Arizona Diamondbacks statistics page
Arizona Diamondbacks Injury news and updates
MLB fantasy player injury updates pages
Baseball-Reference.com
