Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Roster Report: Infielders

SECOND BASE

Feb 11, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman

(2) takes grounders during camp at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Starter – Aaron Hill 
Backup – Cliff Pennington

Based on his production, Aaron Hill could have been the Diamondbacks’ most important player back in 2012, when he hit .302 with 26 home runs, 85 runs batted in and 14 stolen bases. His last two seasons have seen his fielding percentage beat the league average, at .992 and .995 respectively (league average .984). With that said, Hill has gone through some injury issues throughout his career and 2013 was no exception.

Hill played just 87 games, hitting .291 with 11 home runs, 41 runs batted in and just one stolen base. He’s played more than 140 games just once in the last four seasons, which means Cliff Pennington and company will get some work.

Pennington is a light-hitting infielder who will also see time at shortstop and third base. He hit just .242 last season in 299 plate appearances and showed no signs of the speed he had shown in his previous years. Pennington stole just two bases after putting up 58 in his previous three years. His best role is a late inning defensive replacement.