The more I watch Mark Reynolds play the more I think he reminds me of Mike Schmidt. He will likely never hit for a great average because he whiffs so often but when he hits the ball it goes a long way. Reynolds has now played in 62 games this season for the D-Backs and he is 58 for 225 (.258 avg, .842 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 15 homers, 45 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Reynolds has also whiffed 79 times this season but the D-Backs won’t try to change his 40+ homer type swing.

Micah Owings is off to an outstanding start for the Diamondbacks as he might be the best athlete in all of baseball because of his ability to be an effective starting pitcher and a dominating hitter. Owings has started 6 games for the Diamondbacks this season and he is 4-1 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. That isn’t the end of his production however as he is one of the better hitters around. He has appeared as a hitter in 12 games this season for the Diamondbacks and he is 9 for 21 (.429 avg, 1.119 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. Owings has now played in 46 games in his major league career and he is 29 for 81 (.358 avg, 1.058 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 5 homers and 18 RBIs. The Diamondbacks were letting Owings take grounders at first base in spring training but they won’t likely use him there as Conor Jackson is off to an outstanding start to the season. Plus, Owings is too valuable in the rotation for the D-Backs to risk injuring him in the field.

27 year old lefty swinging Chad Tracy missed more than half of the 2007 season with a serious knee injury that required surgery. While he was out, rookies Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds made their claims to jobs in right field and third base. Tracy is also blocked at 1B by Conor Jackson so it’s possible that the D-Backs will look to trade him in spring training if he proves his health to other teams needing a power hitter. Tracy played in 76 games last season for the Diamondbacks and he was 60 for 227 (.264 avg, .800 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 7 homers and 35 RBIs. Tracy has now played in 518 games in his major league career and he is 520 for 1,818 (.288 avg, .816 OPS) with 239 runs scored, 62 homers and 240 RBIs.

Chris Young has been really hitting the ball hard in the 2nd half of the season.  In 38 games since the All-Star Game, Young is 38 for 155 (.245 avg, .860 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 13 homers, 16 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.  Young is an impressive young played and he’s a big reason with the Diamondbacks are so hot right now.  He has now played in 115 games this season and he is 105 for 443 (.237 avg, .759 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 26 homers, 47 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

The Diamondbacks have rewarded fan favorite Eric Byrnes for his fine play of both this season and last year by giving him a nice contract extension.  Byrnes plays hard every night and he is a good role model for all of the young players on the Diamondbacks.  He has played in 113 games so far this season for the D-Backs and he is 135 for 445 (.303 avg, .862 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 17 homers, 64 RBIs and 28 stolen bases.  Byrnes will likely prove to be worth every penny for the D-Backs this season.