Perdomo's Unconventional Protection: A New Diamondbacks Strategy

0:00On March 31st, Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop, Gerardo Predomo is batting third in the line of these days, but not to drive in runs like a typical power. Guy. Instead, he's protecting stars Keto Marte and Corbin Carroll by grinding out deep counts and seeing tons of pitches. This setup lets the free-swinged sluggers hunt fastballs early without worrying about quick innings. Manager Tori LeVulo calls it non-traditional protection. Marte and Carol go for the fences right away, while Predomo fows off pitches like a machine, running up the count to 5 or 7 per ad bat. LeVulo says Predomo even asks him before played appearances, how many pitches do you want me to see? Then he delivers exactly that. LeVulo raves about Predomo's plate discipline, comparing him to Red Sox's great Dustin Pajroya, the only other player he's coached with that level of. Control. He recalls Pajroya calling his shot in a playoff 9th inning, vowing to walk without swinging and doing just that against Fernando Rodney.

1:01Predomo shrubs it off, saying the three-hole spot changes nothing for him. His job stays the same, get on base, extend at bats, and set up the big bats behind. Last year, he slashed 290, 389, 462, with 20 homers, a franchise record 100 RBI for shortstop, and 7. Winds above replacement. Only in 2026, Predomo's 4 for 12 with a homer already, proving this strategy is clicking as the debax line up evolves. I'm Cory with the story and you've been listening to MLB News today, AI-powered baseball coverage.