Diamondbacks Reacts Survey: Pitcher Problems

Payamps

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Arizona Diamondbacks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed the season, it looked like the D-backs might have one of the strongest pitching staffs in the major leagues. The arrival of Corbin Burnes, a healthy Merrill Kelly, breakout candidate Brandon Pfaadt, plus the proven names of Zac Gallen and Eduardo Rodriguez, coming in with career ERA+ of 129 and 110 respectively, looked to be a real strength for Arizona. However Kevin Ginkel Jersey, here we are, a month into the season and the D-backs rotation ranks 24th in the majors with a 4.56 ERA - slightly higher than last years 4.41. Pfaadt is 5-1 with an ERA of 2.78, though even he has a fielding independent ERAwhich is more than a run higher. Everyone else has combined to go 5-9 with a 5.07 ERA over 23 starts. This is particularly rough, considering the other four starting pitchers will earn a total of $72.2 million this year. And thats not including a further $22.5 million being paid to Jordan Montgomery as he rehab from Tommy John. All told, thats close to a hundred million bucks being spent by the D-backs this year, for performance which, outside of Pfaadt, has basically been at replacement level. In some cases Zac Gallen Jersey, improvement can be hoped for. Eduardo Rodriguez, for example has a FIP which is a whole two runs below his ERA. Only three of the 83 qualified pitchers have a gap bigger than that But Kelly and Burnes both have FIPs higher than their current ERA. A couple of weeks ago in this spot, we asked you which player you were most concerned about. I want to revisit the issue, now weve got a better sample size to look at, and I also wanted to focus purely on the rotation. It feels like there are question-marks over everyone, of varying sizes and fonts. Too many home-runs allowed would be the communal trait. The 25 allowed so far by Arizonas starters is tied for the most in the National League, and on pace for 140 on the year, which would be thirty-four more than last season. Kelly and Pfaadt are well-below average in terms of strikeouts.