Gabriel Moreno Has Become the D-backs Postseason X-Factor
In his first year with the Diamondbacks, Gabriel Moreno quickly become one of their best players. A catcher that can make a huge impact on the game both offensively and defensively, having him on the field massively improves their chances of winning.
This graphic best explains his overall impact on the team.
After only hitting seven home runs in 111 regular season games, he's launched his two longest home runs of the year in the postseason. None were bigger than the one he launched off of Clayton Kershaw last night. After falling behind 0-2, Moreno worked the count full before getting a middle-middle slider on 3-2 and depositing it deep into the left field bleachers.
"I was just looking for a pitch in the zone," said Moreno through interpreter Alex Arpiza. "It happened to be the slider and I was able to take advantage of it."
The home run not only sent a statement to the Dodgers that the D-backs are ready to compete with them, but also some impressive personal achievements for the D-backs catcher. The 110.8 MPH exit velocity not only was the hardest hit ball of Moreno's career, regular or postseason, but also the second longest home run in his career after the 425 foot blast he hit off Corbin Burnes on Tuesday night.
Since coming off the injured list on August 13th, the D-backs catcher has had a lot of success at the plate. Over that stretch, he's hitting .311 with eight doubles, a triple, four home runs, and a .878 OPS. He's also been more patient at the plate, drawing 13 walks while only striking out 21 times in 136 PA. That has moved him up to the fifth spot in the batting order in the postseason, where he's 3-for-10 with two home runs in three games.
"It's mainly the work I've done in the cage, trying to find a good point to do damage on the ball. I have good rhythm, I look for a pitch in my zone and just be able connect with it well."
In the big stage of the postseason, it has been the D-backs young players who have shone the brightest. Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, and Moreno have each homered twice in the postseason, all of them going deep in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. According to Sara Langs on X, the D-backs are only the second team to have three players Age 23 or younger with multiple home runs in a single postseason after the 2015 Cubs (Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler).
"I think the one thing that I hold on is the trust they've given us. Whether it's Torey [Lovullo], the coaches, the trust they've given us young guys, I'm honestly dreaming about it. I dreamed to be here, all the work I've done in the minor leagues is dreaming about playing in a World Series, playing here in the big leagues."
With a young core in place and excelling in their first postseason, Moreno and the D-backs are set up for sustained success.
