The Arizona Diamondbacks have carved out a unique niche in Major League Baseball’s 2024 season, positioning themselves as one of the best teams in the league at generating runs. It’s a continuation of a strategy spearheaded during the previous season. While they have undergone a noticeable shift in their offensive strategy compared to previous campaigns, their ability to produce runs through a combination of power, situational hitting, and aggressive baserunning has made them a formidable force. In this article, we take a look at the numbers behind their success, as well as some numbers for the Kansas City Royals who came in a close-runners-up in the baseball basics contest just for some context.

A Shift in Offensive Philosophy: From Speed to Slug

In 2023, the Diamondbacks built their success on a strategy known as “Create Chaos,” focusing on aggressive baserunning to disrupt opposing defenses. That year, they led the MLB in stolen bases with 166 and were the top team in FanGraphs’ baserunning metric (BsR) with a score of 18.3 . This approach not only allowed them to create scoring opportunities but also played a pivotal role in their postseason run.

However, the 2024 season has seen a shift in the Diamondbacks’ offensive strategy. Recognizing the need to adapt, the team has leaned more heavily on power, adding sluggers like Joc Pederson and Eugenio Suárez to their lineup . This has resulted in a more dynamic offense, capable of producing runs through both home runs and clutch hitting. As a result, the Diamondbacks have sacrificed some of their previous baserunning chaos for an approach that balances power with calculated aggression on the bases.

The Power Surge and Situational Hitting

One of the key aspects of the Diamondbacks’ success in 2024 has been their ability to slug their way to victories. With new additions like Pederson and Suárez, the team has seen a notable increase in their home run totals and slugging percentage. This power surge has complemented their situational hitting, allowing them to generate runs in various ways. The Diamondbacks are no longer reliant solely on stealing bases or taking extra bases to score; they have the ability to clear the bases with one swing.

This evolution in their offensive approach has also allowed the Diamondbacks to maximize their run-scoring opportunities, even when their baserunning has not been as aggressive as in previous seasons. Despite a significant drop in stolen bases—they rank 27th in the league with a 72% success rate—they continue to be effective on the basepaths, ranking second in MLB with a 48% extra bases taken rate . This shows that while they may not be stealing bases as frequently, they are still creating opportunities to advance runners and score through smart, aggressive play.

The Continued Role of Baserunning: Controlled Chaos

While the Diamondbacks have adjusted their focus, they have not abandoned their baserunning strategy altogether. Players like Corbin Carroll, who was instrumental in their baserunning success last season with 54 steals, remain key to their approach. Although Carroll’s stolen base numbers and on-base percentage have declined this year, he still contributes significantly by taking extra bases when the opportunity arises  .

The Diamondbacks have also demonstrated their aggressive baserunning in specific moments that have turned games in their favor. For instance, in a key comeback win against the Giants, their baserunning played a crucial role in capitalizing on defensive mistakes and swinging the momentum in their direction . These moments of controlled chaos are indicative of the team’s ability to pick their spots and apply pressure on opponents at critical junctures.

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