Mike Hazen: Diamondbacks Deliver a Better Brand of Baseball

The Arizona Diamondbacks are showing that a trade-deadline sell-off doesn’t always mean giving up. General manager Mike Hazen refuses to let anyone think this team’s rebuilding. Even after trading away some key veterans, the D-backs have charged toward the postseason. They’ve built a new identity—leaning on speed, contact, strong pitching, and sharp defense. With just nine games left and only 1.5 games between them and a playoff spot, Arizona’s late-season surge is turning heads. It’s honestly one of the more surprising stories in MLB right now. A New Mindset Rooted in Competing, Not Collapsing Hazen’s message: losing isn’t an option. He’s seen what happens when a team lets a losing culture settle in, pointing to the disaster that was 2021. This time, instead of folding after the roster shake-up, the Diamondbacks have stepped up. They’ve put together a strong 26-18 record since the trade deadline. Rediscovering Their Offensive Edge Most teams drop off offensively after losing their big bats. Arizona didn’t. Even without power hitters like Eugenio Suarez, Josh Naylor, and Randal Grichuk, the D-backs’ run production has gone up. They’re averaging 5.2 runs per game post-deadline, compared to 4.8 before. So what changed? They’ve gone all-in on aggressive, contact-driven baseball: Stolen bases jumped from 0.65 per game to 1.02. Slugging percentage hasn’t really dropped, even with fewer home runs. Batting average with runners in scoring position shot up from .240 to .289. Small ball is their thing now. They even set a franchise record with four sacrifice bunts in a single game. That kind of selfless play has brought real energy into the clubhouse. Pitching Staff Answering the Call The offense isn’t the only part that’s changed. The pitching rotation has kept Arizona in the race, too. Since the deadline, the starting staff has put up a 3.79 ERA, a clear jump from 4.38 earlier in the season. Leaders on the Mound Zac Gallen has found his top form again, giving the team those crucial, lockdown starts. Ryne Nelson and Nabil Crismatt have both stepped up as reliable arms, adding depth and stability just when it’s needed. Defensive Excellence Paving the Way Defense has tightened up in a big way, too. The Diamondbacks have climbed into the league’s top six in fielding run value, after sitting in the middle of the pack before. They’re just playing smarter and more consistent defense. Every run they save feels huge with the playoff race this close. An Organizational Identity Taking Shape The biggest change might be the vibe. This team finally knows who it is. Hazen credits the players for buying into the scrappy, fast-paced, team-first style. That belief is showing up on the field, and it’s got the D-backs playing their best baseball of the year. The Road Ahead There’s just over a week left in the regular season. The Diamondbacks know they control their own destiny. If they keep mixing speed, situational hitting, lockdown pitching, and defensive precision, they might just punch an unlikely ticket to October baseball. All that pre-deadline skepticism? Maybe it was a little overblown. For Hazen and the organization, the 2023 campaign feels like a lesson. Selling doesn’t always mean giving up. With the right culture and a bit of stubborn commitment, it might even spark something bigger down the line. — If you’d like, I can also provide a **SEO-friendly meta description** and **suggested keyword list** to maximize this article’s ranking potential. Would you like me to prepare that for you?   Here is the source article for this story: Mike Hazen credits Diamondbacks for better brand of baseball