Tommy Troy on His Recovery and The Advice He's Received

The advice Tommy Troy is taking to heart this Spring Training, the goals that he's looking to reach this season, and his recovery from offseason surgery.

Tommy Troy is either the No. 2 or 3 prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization depending upon where you look. The 2023 first-round pick is vitally important to the team's future outlook and success. The shortstop has to keep developing in his first full season in professional baseball. Troy played in the Spring Breakout Game when he replaced Jordan Lawlar at shortstop. He saw one at-bat in which he struck out.

He reached High-A Hillsboro last season in his short run of pro ball after coming out of Stanford. With Hillsboro, he hit .247/.343/.447 (114 wRC+) with four home runs and eight stolen bases in 23 games. Over four at-bats in Spring Training, he remains hitless and has struck out in each at-bat. 

The lack of success in Spring Training hasn't deterred him from thoroughly enjoying the Spring Breakout Game or being around the club. Plus, he's enjoying every second of camp and being able to play baseball again.

"This is a great experience, a lot of talent out here...A lot of good energy, I'm just ready to go play. [Camp has been] amazing. It's been pretty busy. I love the structure of it. I love just coming out to the field every day. Can't ask for much more. I've been working my butt off but it's been good just getting back in the flow of things like getting the adrenaline going again. It's fun, I love this."

His offseason was a busy one as he recovered from a fractured foot that he had surgery for. However, he's fully healthy and cleared for everything. Of course, this continued the trend of Diamondbacks' first-round picks needing surgery soon after being drafted by the team.

"It was a great decision just to nip that in the bud and just be able to take the rest of the off-season to get healthy and prepare for this season. I feel really good."

The fracture was in his left foot in which the doctors removed the injured bone from it. "It was the base of the fifth metatarsal. It wasn't too bad. They took it out. It was a little incision. They took out the bone because it kind of separated and was causing me some issues for a little bit. They took it out. Rehab was super quick. I'm all clear now, ready to go."

Troy has specific objectives that he is looking to accomplish this season such as reaching the Big Leagues, staying healthy, and playing 130-plus games at shortstop.

"Playing a full season is going to be a good test for me. 130-something games in whatever level as I keep moving up. Just sticking at shortstop is my plan. Playing good defense and just developing as a whole hitter. That's my main focus. Take it day-by-day but the end goal is I want to make my debut this year. That's the goal and if it happens great, if it doesn't, I'm still going to work my butt off and keep going."

Troy has spent Spring Training seeking advice from the D-backs MLB roster, especially from a long-time veteran All-Star shortstop.

"It's a great experience just being near all the big leaguers, talking with them and picking their brain. They're really smart dudes and really good at what they do. I like talking to Elvis Andrus. He's a funny dude. Corbin, I always like talking to him and then I've probably been sticking around Lawlar the most just because he's young too."

Andrus has talked to him about his defense and health numerous times out on the backfields during sim games. 

"He just gives me a couple of tips like when I'm on defense especially and probably the biggest thing that resonated with me was just do what you can to stay healthy. They work so hard and increase the load but what are they doing to recover and take care of their body. That's something I'm focusing on."

He's taken what Andrus has told him to heart. He's learning more about paying closer attention to detail and treating his body right in terms of recovery and nutrition. Plus, he's learning more of the nuances that take place in MLB camps and the small details that matter the most in the Majors.

"I feel like there's just a little bit more attention to detail like focusing on the little things like what are you going to do to make you prepared for the game like getting a good routine in. I've always had a pretty good routine but building upon a good foundation, and taking care of yourself. I was pretty good when I was at Stanford, but your body's a temple, especially when this is what I'm doing for a living now. Everything matters."

Of course, he saw the D-backs reach the World Series like everyone else did and that has invigorated him to get to the Majors as quickly as possible.

"It's definitely inspiring. We got all the tools here. We got everything we need. You know, I'd love to be a part of it at some point. Put it all together and help us get that ring."