Tomas Will Need Skill, Swagger to Succeed

Popular opinion: it would be great if Yasmany Tomas had a skill set similar to that of countryman Yasiel Puig.

Unpopular opinion: it would be even better if he had Puig’s attitude, too.

Let’s get something out of the way: I’m not at all advocating that Tomas act in the sometimes questionable manner that Puig does, who often walks a fine line between being entertaining and being a distraction. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks need a sparkplug this season. That’s exactly what Puig was for the Dodgers in 2012, and it’s what Tomas can be in 2015.

Puig is controversial. He’s likely a challenge to coach. But more importantly, he’s exciting. He can make throws from the outfield that no human being should be able to make. He can hit a baseball into the next county, and he makes it all look like child’s play.

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Yasiel Puig does not care. He doesn’t care what you think about his maddening inability to hit the cutoff man. He doesn’t care that you hate when he throws his bat to the heavens whenever he feels like it. And if he does care about any of that, he sure as hell doesn’t show it. The man is entertaining and he’s a reason to go to the ballpark. That’s what the Arizona Diamondbacks need out of Tomas.

Fans can deny it all they want, but this is a franchise that’s in need of some excitement. Paul Goldschmidt is one of the top five players in baseball, that’s a fact. Mark Trumbo can kill a baseball. Other than that, what is there to draw the average fan to Chase Field? According to ESPN, the Diamondbacks ranked 25^th in overall attendance (based on the percentage of the park capacity that was filled) in 2014. The front office’s inability to lure an ace to Phoenix likely won’t help that number.

The best way to draw fans? Winning games and showcasing exciting players. Tomas can be one of those players. He can be that spark that lights a fire under the Diamondbacks, their fan base, and their front office in the same way that Puig did in Los Angeles. Why else do you go out and spend over $68 million on a guy who’s never faced big league pitching?

The best way to draw fans? Winning games and showcasing exciting players. Tomas can be one of those players.

In their best years in Cuba, both Tomas and Puig hit over .300 and slugged over .500. Tomas’ numbers weren’t as impressive as Puig’s in Cuba, but that’s okay. He’s not Puig and he doesn’t need to be. He simply needs to be an igniter; someone who sells tickets, drives in runs, and becomes the most popular jersey outside of Goldschmidt.

He was given a raw power ranking of 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, well above average. In theory, he should be able to murder baseballs once he adjusts to major league pitching. Just imagine if he pans out like we hope he will; having to face Goldschmidt, Trumbo, and Tomas in a row would be downright terrifying for opposing pitchers.

The Diamondbacks are still trying to figure out exactly where to play Tomas. Originally thought to be Arizona’s third baseman this season, Tomas hasn’t impressed at the hot corner. The Diamondbacks could still choose to play him there, but prospect Jake Lamb is a much stronger candidate defensively and could end up pushing Tomas to the outfield. If that’s the case, we’ll get to see how he plays in the grass. Scouts tend to agree that his arm isn’t anything to phone home about, so keep an eye on how positioning plays out.

Finally, staying relevant in the National League West is more important than ever. The Giants have won three championships in the past five years. The Dodgers have Puig and two straight division championships. Heck, even the Padres went out and pelted every free agent with wads of cash until they got themselves a team. The Diamondbacks need Tomas to package with the power combo of Goldschmidt and Trumbo as a way to attract fans, money, and interest.

Most of our knowledge about Tomas comes from articles, reports, and spring training games. Other than that, we really don’t know what kind of attitude to expect from the guy. I do know one thing: the best thing to do is to let him be himself. If he’s quiet and plays the game traditionally, let him do it. If he’s a bat-flipper that hits baseballs to the pool, who cares? Let the guy play his game.

That’s what makes Puig exciting, it’s what will make Tomas exciting, and it’s what will help bring some excitement to Chase Field this season.