‘That’s kind of our identity’: D-Backs’ thriving with scrappy, versatile style

The Diamondbacks are working deep counts and shooting balls to the opposite field. They are running the bases aggressively and putting pressure on opposing defenses. They are even using a tactic ripped from baseball’s endangered list — the bunt — to advance runners, beat shifts and create havoc.

The Diamondbacks have found their groove on offense in recent weeks. And they’re liking how it feels.

“That’s kind of our identity,” third baseman Josh Rojas said, “and we’re playing into that right now.”

Little about the Diamondbacks’ offense stands out. They do not have many household names. They are not launching balls 500 feet. They are not racking up total bases.

But since the All-Star break, they have managed to score at a decent clip (4.8 runs per game), and just as importantly they have found ways to manufacture runs on nights when hard-hit balls have been few and far between.

It is a style of play that matches up well with their personnel and their ballpark, and is it one they likely need to perfect in order to win games. They had won four of their past five games entering Wednesday and had won 10 of 17 games since the break.

“I think it fits really well,” said first baseman Christian Walker, one of the few pure sluggers in the Diamondbacks’ lineup. “I think it feels more sustainable than relying on a three-run homer.”

The Diamondbacks’ lineup is filled with athletic, speedy players. Just as important, Walker said, is that they are heady and perceptive, capable of spotting tells from opposing pitchers and catchers that will help them take extra bases.

Since the break, the Diamondbacks are tied for the league lead with 15 stolen bases. They also have 25 bunt attempts, tied for the most in the majors in that span; they had two different innings on Monday night when a bunt led directly or indirectly to a run.

“Maybe some guys are just getting a little bit more comfortable,” Walker said, “maybe taking a little bit of pressure off themselves and fitting in and just really finding what they do well and doing that every day.”

The contributions have come from a variety of places. Walker has had consistently tough at-bats. Daulton Varsho has begun to work deep counts and hit balls hard again after fighting through a midseason slump. Ketel Marte had delivered a number of key hits.

Geraldo Perdomo has worked to close many of the holes that pitchers were exploiting early in the season. He is hitting more balls hard and on a line in recent weeks than at any point in the season.

Jake McCarthy, who has received everyday at-bats in left field since David Peralta was shipped to Tampa Bay before the trade deadline, is thriving with a contact-oriented approach, putting balls in play and running the bases aggressively.

Josh Rojas has done a little of everything, dropping down bunts, driving balls to the gaps and running the bases with precision. Carson Kelly has emerged from his early-season funk and has begun to hit balls hard with greater frequency.

“I think they’re settling into their identity and what each guy’s role is,” hitting coach Joe Mather said. “As these guys grow and go into the next couple of years, I think a lot of people will see it’s a pretty exciting brand of baseball.”

Said Rojas: “I think we’re in a spot now where we’ve got a really tight-knit clubhouse. Everybody knows their role. Nobody’s upset when they’re not in there. Everybody pretty much knows why they’re where they’re at. I think teams works best when they’re like that.”

Most games in recent weeks have featured at least a couple of grueling at-bats from Diamondbacks hitters that have served to drive up the pitch counts of opposing starters. Walker had one on Tuesday night, working a walk after seeing 10 pitches in the fifth inning.

“I just think that stuff is kind of contagious, not to sound cliché,” McCarthy said. “But when guys are trying to wear down the opposing pitcher it almost seems like you make it easier for the guy behind you. That seems to be our thing right now.”

Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or nick.piecoro@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: D-Backs offense finding its ‘identity’ with scrappy, versatile style