Drew Hedman a contributor to Arizona Diamondbacks' World Series journey

ARLINGTON, Texas – Arizona Diamondbacks assistant hitting coach and Redding native Drew Hedman took a moment to observe the ground he was standing on in Arlington, Texas.

Hedman, who is the Director of Minor League Hitting for the Diamondbacks, was walking on the outfield grass of Globe Life Fields toward the batting cages six hours before his Diamondbacks battled the Texas Rangers in Game 2 of the World Series.

He was on his way to work with batters such as emerging Rookie of the Year candidate Corbin Carroll and hardened veteran Tommy Pham.

"The best part is going around the clubhouse and seeing all the players," Hedman said. "This is a group that has looked after each other. We knocked off some really good ball clubs and put ourselves in the best position to win the World Series."

Hedman has quietly become one of the Diamondbacks' most valued assets, molding what's become one of the more unlikely runs to the World Series. Arizona was the final team entered in the playoffs, earning the third wild card spot.

Arizona Diamondback's journey to World Series

Arizona won the NL Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, swept the Los Angeles Dodgers after having a 5-8 regular season record against its NL West rivals and then won the National League pennant after a roller coaster seven-game NLCS with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Diamondbacks have just nine combined All-Star appearances on their roster. Four of those appearances belong to 38-year-old third baseman Evan Longoria who hasn't played in the Midsummer Classic since 2011.

Arizona reached the World Series while carrying the lowest payroll among teams that entered the National League playoffs. The Diamondbacks knocked out spenders like the Dodgers ($222,717,834), who owned the fifth-highest opening-day payroll, and Phillies ($243,009,439), who owned the fourth-highest in the MLB, according to USA Today.

"We've always known what we've wanted to do, and that's getting to the World Series and winning a World Series," Hedman said. "To do that, you're going to have to play and beat some really good teams. We've looked (at) those teams as opportunities instead of obstacles that are too big to overcome. They are opportunities for guys to play, come together, and support each other."

Through the ups and downs, the Diamondbacks continued to believe in each other.

Earning the opportunity to play in the World Series is proving to speak greater volumes than winning the NL West Division title.

"A connected team is a dangerous team and there's a lot of love in that room," Hedman said. "When you're connected to the people around you and you find that common cause, it heightens your focus. It helps accentuate the fact that it's not about you but about everyone in the locker room and there's a collective mission here."

What has Hedman seen from the players he has mentored? Has Arizona done something unique during this World Series and could there be another baseball world champion from Redding?

It's time to unpack Hedman's 2023 journey with Arizona.

Nurturing Diamondback franchise face Corbin Carroll

Hedman has been working with Carroll, the 23-year-old left-handed hitting speedster first-round pick from Seattle since becoming Director of Minor League Hitting in winter 2021.

Carroll's work ethic has been consistent since being drafted — a dedication that Hedman believes has helped unify Arizona even more.

The results have blossomed into Carroll hitting a .296/.381/.463 slash line during the postseason with two home runs,10 RBI and four stolen bases.

Hedman has seen Carroll's rise firsthand since the start of Spring Training in Scottsdale, Arizona.

"He is meticulous in his work and he's a great example of how you win every day," Hedman said. "He won every day in Spring Training and he's constantly trying to find an edge and find a weakness in his game so he can continue to get better. He knows what he needs to do to get his mind and body right. The level of detail and focus is special."

What have the Arizona Diamondbacks taught baseball?

Arizona has succeeded in being the anti-hero to data-driven baseball.

Relying on small ball tactics like sacrifice bunts and hitting singles to drive in runs instead of launch angles to generate home runs.

While Pham did hit a home run, 14 of the Diamondbacks' 16 hits came off singles. Geraldo Perdomo became the first player in MLB history to tap three sacrifice bunts in a single game and Arizona won Game 2 on the road 9-1.

Hedman believes that Arizona's style is showing the beautiful complexities of baseball and how games can be won using different styles.

"There's no one way to put together a winning club," Hedman said. "I think specifically for us like our general manager (Mike Hazen) and acquired some very impactful players that can be big for us in the postseason."

Among the acquisitions Hedman highlighted was the trade by the Diamondbacks, sending outfielder Daulton Varsho to the Toronto Blue Jays for catcher Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. last December and bringing on 35-year-old Tommy Pham, a veteran voice who has spent 10 seasons including four teams in the last two years with the New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds before landing in Arizona.

Moreno, the 23-year-old in only his second year, batted .284, hit seven home runs, drove in 50 RBI and has provided key at-bats during the postseason, batting .250 with four home runs and 10 RBI.

Gurriel Jr., in his first year with Arizona, landed his first All-Star game appearance in 2023 after hitting a career-high 24 home runs with 80 RBI after five seasons with Toronto. Gurriel owns two home runs and is batting .268 in the postseason.

Pham — on a famously hot night going 4-for-4 in Game 2 — had the opportunity to make history as the first MLB player to hit 5-for-5 in a World Series game on Sunday.

Seeing how Arizona was holding serve and leading 7-1 with three runs across, Pham passed his at-bat so third baseman Jace Peterson could have his first World Series at-bat.

Pham is currently 5-for-9 and an MVP-favorite if Arizona wins its second World Series.

Small moves and possibly underappreciated pieces have created an unlikely Cinderella machine in Arizona.

"Every team has their own journey on how they got here, their own history on how that team's composed and how those players came together," Hedman said.

And all of it, Hedman believes, ties back to the clubhouse unity created by Arizona manager Torey Luvullo.

"(Luvullo) pushes everyone to be the best version of themselves, and that includes his players and his coaching staff," Hedman said. "There's so much love for each other, and when you have that trust, the wins are going to follow."

Redding could have its second world champion in 2023

Hedman has the opportunity to follow in line with another former Redding resident in LSU head coach Jay Johnson.

Johnson, who played at Shasta College in 1997 and 1998, led the Tigers to the program's seventh College Baseball World Series.

Now, Hedman is on the same type of ride as a supporting member on professional baseball's biggest stage.

"There's a lot of emotions that find their way in and you realize what a special experience this is," Hedman said. "You look back at Redding and how baseball was a huge part of my life. The amount of support from my dad and mom especially the amount of time and resources to seriously pursue that as a passion is special."

Advice for upcoming Redding athletes

Hedman is back in Arizona preparing for Game 3 and will be joined by his father, Andy, his mother, and several other members who are there to watch the World Series on Monday.

The 38-year-old Shasta graduate has seen baseball played successfully at every level.

Echoing Arizona's culture, Hedman explained how he created in own achievements both as a player at Pomona-Pitzer where he batted .500 with 23 home runs and 78 RBI, and was the National College Baseball Writer's Association NCAA Division III Hitter of the Year in 2009 before being drafted by the Red Sox to now on the cusp of winning his first World Series title as a coach.

"It's the work that is done when no one is watching," Hedman said. "It's the extra work in the batting cage with a teammate or parent that's done it or waking up at Shasta High School at 7 a.m. for being at Tiger Field taking reps before the lights go out."

Ethan Hanson started working for the Journal & Courier in West Lafayette, Indiana after four years at the Record Searchlight in Redding, CA. He previously freelanced with the Los Angeles Daily News for four years. Follow him on Twitter at @EthanAHanson and Instagram at @ethan_a_hanson.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Shasta alum Drew Hedman competes in World Series Arizona Diamondbacks