Diamondbacks in no hurry to decide on starting shortstop
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Manager Torey Lovullo says there will be no rush to judgment regarding the D-backs' starting shortstop position.
Twelve games into the Cactus League schedule, he's content to sit back and enjoy the competition among Nick Ahmed, Chris Owings and Ketel Marte.
"I want to see guys playing full speed, grasping our concepts, taking a leadership role, being the captain of the infield, understanding that they go out there and play fearless baseball, without worry about making mistakes," Lovullo said when asked to elaborate on what he's focused on.
"And all three guys have been doing that. All three guys have been outstanding, it's been a great competition for all of us to watch. It's just one haymaker after the other, they're all landing shots, having good at-bats."
Ahmed edged out Owings for the starting position a year ago in spring training, but a hip impingement ended his season on July 23. His hitting took a step back last year -- average from .226 to .218; slugging from .359 to .299 -- but his reputation as an exceptional defender is intact.
"There's a bunch of really good players we have in camp; it's a great competition. I think competition's a good thing," Ahmed said. "Every time I show up for spring training I want to compete and earn the job, show the team and organization I'm healthy, made adjustments, I'm strong, and ready to perform well when the season starts. Whoever ends up at a certain position, we have some depth at different spots, guys who can help out over the course of a long year."
Owings was pressed into service as an emergency center fielder after A.J. Pollock was injured but made his way back to shortstop after Ahmed's season was cut short. He improved his hitting across the board last season, with career highs in average (.277), on-base percentage (.315) and slugging (.416).
Marte, acquired in the Taijuan Walker-Jean Segura trade, began the season as Seattle's starting shortstop and one of the youngest regulars in the majors (he turned 23 in October). His playing time tailed off as his hitting lagged -- a .259 average, .287 on-base, .323 slugging, compared with .283/.351/.407 in a 57-game audition in 2015.
Ahmed, who says his hip is 100 percent, has made five starts this spring at shortstop, Owings four, and Marte three. Marte was to have started Wednesday's exhibition game vs. Team Mexico but was sidelined by illness.
Lovullo has given each of them ample opportunity at designated hitter when they are not in the field, and Owings is also getting reps in right field as a means of adding to his versatility.
"That's by design,that has nothing to do with any part of his competition," Lovullo said. "He's going to compete all the way up to the very end when the final decisions are made. It's a three-way race. They're all pacing one another."
All three have been error-free thus far. While the early hitting stats are mostly irrelevant, Owings is 7 for 21 (.333) with 2 RBI and two walks; Ahmed is 4 for 22 (.182) with 4 RBI; Marte is 4 for 18 (.222) with 4 RBI and a long home run in Tuesday's game vs. Oakland before becoming ill.
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Marte only hit 3 home runs in 176 games in Seattle, but Lovullo says he's capable.
"I've been watching him take his batting practice rounds, he's got great balance, he's got great hand speed, great bat speed, and he's been backspinning balls in BP for the past couple days," he said. "When he did something like that yesterday, it really didn't surprise me. He's a very physical kid with a lot of tools."
When asked whether how offense vs. defense would be factored into his ultimate decision, Lovullo hesitated.
"I don't know right now. I haven't gotten that far in my own head," he said. "I've just liked what I've seen on both sides of the ball."