Outfield defense in spotlight from work put in by D-Backs' Thomas, Varsho
SAN FRANCISCO — The catches that Alek Thomas and Daulton Varsho made in the first inning of Sunday's game, both impressive and both which took away certain extra-base hits, are the product of the work the outfielders do when shagging balls in pregame batting practice and learning to play the walls and fences at Chase Field.
Both Thomas and Varsho were in Monday's lineup at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants, and it being the Diamondbacks' first visit there this season, both had to get used to barriers to which they aren't accustomed. But at home, the catches they made were in part due to being familiar with the outfield dimensions and wall/fence height and angles.
"There's days when I shag a little bit more and harder than normal. You definitely have to practice going against the wall, because if not you're not going to be comfortable around the wall," Thomas said. "It can be scary for some people, but I played football so I'm good."
Thomas tries to get a feel for the warning track in front of the wall during batting practice. He gets to know his surroundings and counts the steps he needs to get to the wall as a center fielder.
Thomas made the first catch Sunday, stealing a hit from Connor Joe of the Colorado Rockies to open the game. Varsho's catch came moments later.
"It's cool to see how that happened in two innings. There's a lot of gold out there, we've got some good defensive guys on the team," Thomas said. "I take pride in all facets of the game, but defense is something that you're in there all nine innings. Nine innings in the field, so you take advantage and try to get as many outs as possible."
Varsho said in lunging for the ball in the right field corner the way he did, he's just hoping the ball goes in the glove.
"You're really not thinking in that moment. You can kind of compare it to a football play. You're going for the football and you're hoping it's within your reach that you can possibly make a play on it and help the pitcher," Varsho said.
Reading balls off the bat is key in batting practice and then in games, Varsho said. He felt that if the ball was hit closer to the fence and wall where he was, he might have been more hesitant to slide to avoid injury.
"These guys have an unbelievable work ethic. You'll watch them every single day in (batting practice), they go out there ... take some balls off the bat. It translates," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "And you know, I think Daulton's catch kind of gets undersold a little bit because of what Alek did, but they were both tremendous catches."
McCarthy returns
The Diamondbacks called up outfielder Jake McCarthy from Triple-A Reno and optioned outfielder Cooper Hummel to Reno before Monday's game. McCarthy was at Oracle Park with the Diamondbacks Monday afternoon in the clubhouse after taking an early flight.
McCarthy has been optioned to Reno twice this season and called up twice as well, and said he hopes the chance to play every day in the minors will help him with this opportunity.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Hummel needs to control the strike zone when back in Reno, and added that there are growing pains with Hummel. "He's learning on the job," Lovullo said. "Excited that Jake is back."
Short hops
*Lovullo said the team would like to get Ketel Marte, Monday's designated hitter, back to playing second base as soon as possible. He'd like to get Marte an inning or two late in games, ideally before the All-Star break but if not, there is a schedule mapped out to get him on the field after that. Marte is still feeling slight discomfort in his hamstring but it is much less than before, Lovullo said, adding that getting him to the All-Star break healthy is the top priority.
*Lovullo said he spoke with RHP Ian Kennedy Sunday at Chase Field, and Kennedy told him he is feeling good with his rehab from a right calf injury. Kennedy's return to the bullpen is targeted for after the All-Star break.
Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Outfield defense in spotlight from work put in by D-Backs' Thomas, Varsho
