When the 2022 MLB season started, some publications were talking about Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo as one of the candidates to lose his job.
This came, of course, on the heels of a horrific 52-110 campaign in 2021.
While the D-Backs aren’t yet fighting for a postseason spot, their rebuild seems to be going nicely, as they have improved a lot in 2022.
With a 60-67 record, they are relatively close to .500 and have been much, much better than last year.
Arizona’s ownership and front office have rewarded Lovullo with the extension of his deal.
“Our skipper. The #Dbacks have exercised the club option for the 2023 season for Manager Torey Lovullo,” the team announced on Twitter.
Our skipper. 🫡
The #Dbacks have exercised the club option for the 2023 season for Manager Torey Lovullo. pic.twitter.com/PYyLPDLzz9
— Mikal Bridges Fan Account (@Dbacks) August 30, 2022
The D-Backs Are Getting Better
Lovullo took over in 2017, when the D-Backs were contenders.
That year, they made the playoffs with a 93-69 record but were ousted in the Division Series.
Two more seasons with a winning record followed in 2018 and 2019, but the two subsequent years were awful.
Right now, however, Lovullo seems to be the right man to lead the D-Backs’ return to relevancy.
The franchise has developed nice contributors such as Christian Walker, Daulton Varsho, Josh Rojas, Ketel Marte, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly.
The most exciting development, however, is their collection of young prospects ready to make an impact: Alek Thomas, Corbin Carroll, Seth Beer, Jordan Lawlar, and others.
Things are about to get interesting in Arizona, if Carroll can develop into the star he is supposed to be.
Lovullo, if the team makes the right additions over the offseason, could potentially lead them to the postseason again for the first time in six years.
Fans are eager for that to happen.
