Diamondbacks team 1965-2017, pitchers

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While, due in part to their relatively short history, the Diamondbacks haven't had a large quantity of outstanding pitchers, they have had some outstanding high level pitchers. Zack Greinke will probably be on this list if he lasts another year in Arizona. Most of the pitching choices were pretty easy because of the high quality of some of their pitchers, plus the lack of depth of their overall talent pool. And here we go.

Starting pitcher: Randy Johnson The Big Unit would be the number one guy on a lot of teams. Overall, Randy spent eight seasons with the Dbacks and put together a record of 118-62 with an ERA of 2.83. That ERA is deceptively high considering his last couple of seasons in Arizona were near the end of his career. Johnson had 5 seasons with an ERA of under 3.00, and led the NL in that category three times. In 2001, Johnson went 21-6 with a NL leading ERA of 2.49. He capped off a spectacular season by leading the Dbacks to a world series win over the Yankees. Johns was 3-0 in the Series, and was the world series co-MVP. Johnson followed that up by going 24-5 the following season. During this stretch in his career, Johnson was just overpowering. For example, during the 2001 season, Randy averaged 13.4 strikeouts per 9 innings. That also led the NL. At 6'10” and a face that looked less than friendly, Johnson looked menacing. His performance was in line with his appearance. Finally, in 2001, Johnson had a WAR of 10.0. In 2002, he improved that mark to 10.9. Randy Johnson, one of the most dominant pitchers I've ever seen.

Staring pitcher: Curt Schilling In a relatively short period of time in Arizona, Curt went 58-28 and an ERA of 3.14. Curt effectiveness was on display in two spectacular seasons, 2001 and 2002. In 2001, Schilling went 22-6 with an ERA 2.98. The 22 wins led the NL. He followed that up with a 23-7 mark in 2002. For those two seasons, 2001 and 2002, Johnson and Schilling were the most dominant 1-2 pitching combinations in baseball. Schilling was also had big strikeout guy, averaging 10.3 strikeouts or more in three seasons in Arizona. Schilling was also outstanding in the 2001 World Series, being named world series co-MVP with Randy Johnson. In 2001, Schilling's WAR was 8.8. In 2002, it was 8.7. Schilling slots in nicely at number two.

Starting pitcher: Brandon Webb While Brandon Webb isn't on the same level as Johnson and Schilling, he was very good. Brandon was an all star form 2006-8. Webb pitched on opening day of the 2009 season, but left with shoulder issues. He never made another appearance for the Dbacks. Still, for 6 seasons he was an effective starter for the Dbacks, and was their ace most of his time in Arizona. Brandon finished up with a record 87-62 with an ERA of 3.27. His career WAR with the Diamondbacks was 33.3. While Webb averaged a respectable 7.3 strikeouts per 9 innings with the Dbacks he was more of a groundball pitcher than Johnson and Schilling.

Starting pitcher: Ian Kennedy Okay, the drop off is pretty steep at this point. It doesn't seem right to dump on a guy while at the same time putting him on a team like this, but this is a little bit of a reach. Kennedy did have one spectacular season, going 21-4 with an ERA of 2.88 in 2011. Ian followed that up with a decent 2012 season, going 15-12 with an ERA of 4.02. For his four year run with the Diamondbacks, Kennedy finished at 48-34 with an ERA 3.82 and a WAR 8.5. For some perspective, Wade Miley had similar numbers for the Dbacks.

Starting pitcher: Dan Haren I had to cheat a little bit to get Dan on this list. Haren spent 2+ seasons with the Diamondbacks and was pretty good during that time. Dan's won-lost record was 37-26 with an ERA of 3.56. A key to Haren's success was throwing strikes. He struck out 8.7 hitters per 9 innings while walking only 1.6. In his two full seasons with the Dbacks, 2008 and 2009, his WAR totals were 6.1 and 6.5. Haren had a long career, with numerous stops along the way, but he was at his best with the Diamondbacks.

Relief pitcher: Jose Valverde Jose spent 5 seasons with the Diamondbacks and was pretty good for most of that time. All in all, Valverde picked up 98 saves, making him the all time Diamondbacks leader in that department. Jose cashed in on at least 80% of his save opportunities every season while in Arizona. His big fastball resulted in a lot of strikeouts. His strikeout rate per 9 innings was an impressive 11.5. Jose was a member of the 2007 NL all star team. He led the NL in saves that season with 47. The demonstrative Valverde takes the top spot in the Dbacks pen.

Relief pitcher: J J Putz Putz didn't have a long stay in Arizona, but he was effective. Putz spent 4 seasons with the Diamondbacks and averaged 10 strikeouts per 9 innings. J J had 83 saves during his time in Arizona. Most of those were compressed into two seasons, 2006 and 2007 when he had 36 and 40 saves. J J was a member of the 2007 NL all start team. 

Relief pitcher: Brad Ziegler Most of the relievers on these lists are hard throwing guys with big strikeout rates, but there are a few exceptions. Brad Ziegler is one of these. The submariner was a workhorse in Arizona, leading the NL in appearances with 78 in 2013. Brad recorded 68 saves during his time with the Dbacks and converted about 90% of his save opportunities. He was 30-32 in save opportunities in 2015. Ziegler has been recognized as reliable, but probably hasn't gotten the credit he deserves.

So there are my picks for the Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers. What do you think? Looking back at the seasons Johnson and Schilling put together in 2001 and 2002, the Diamondbacks really did catch lightening in a bottle.

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