That’s one way to announce your entry, Adrian. The Arizona Diamondbacks are aiming for the stratosphere and as of now, they’re reaching it. However, in this journey, they’ve found some unlikely heroes. This time it was Adrian Del Castillo’s turn and he not only became a hero but more. The rookie created history with his walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies and reignited the Diamondbacks’ division win hopes.

“Goosebumps, honestly,” Del Castillo said about his walk-off home run. “Straight up goosebumps. It was sick. I don’t even know how to describe it.” The rookie was quite ecstatic and for a good reason; his 9th-inning solo walk-off home run was his first in the league. More importantly, it was the first time in D-Backs’ history that a rookie had hit a walk-off in his first home run. That certainly calls for celebrations, doesn’t it? 

That’s exactly what the Snakes did when they poured water all over that night’s hero. After the game, the Diamondbacks skipper Torey Lovullo too forgot for a moment that he was a manager. “You couldn’t ask for any greater moment for a young player,” Lovullo said, adding, “I get so excited for the players coming up from player development. I felt like I was 18 years old again for a few minutes.” It was a magical moment that gave another nightmare to the Phillies.

The Phillies of today are but a shadow of what they were in June. Though they remain atop the National League with 69 wins, the team isn’t all dominating anymore. That was visible again when Diamondbacks’ Ryne Nelson gave them just 3 hits and 2 runs in 7 ⅓ innings. For a team laden with attack threat, this wasn’t a great performance. And now it has opened the doors for a photo finish in NL and NL West too. 

Adrian Del Castillo puts the Diamondbacks on pace to challenge for the crown

The Arizona Diamondbacks (64 wins) have an 8-2 record in their last 10 games. Together with the San Diego Padres (65 wins), the team is right on the heels of the Dodgers in the NL West (67 wins). Isn’t this something? Both these teams started out slowly and for a long time had a sub .500 record. But the second half of this season has given some sort of elixir to both the Diamondbacks and Padres. That is a scary situation for the struggling Dodgers but has also increased the pressure on the Phillies to maintain its NL lead.

In the case of the Arizona Diamondbacks, this is yet another proof that they’re a team to reckon with. From Ketel Marte to now Adrian Del Castillo, their players are continuously proving to be clutch. This is a symptom of a champion and that is a scary situation. Especially because they’re heating up at a moment when their good form can extend past the postseason. So, can everyone’s favorite underdog recreate its epic 2023? Stars like Ketel Marte are already competing for the NL MVP award, and with a division win – that dream becomes all the more achievable.

But while that happens this is a good welcome for Adrian Del Castillo. The 24-year-old has made a grand entry into the major leagues. And with such performances, the world knows that his rookie belongs with the Giants. “Many more to come,” Castillo declared. And chances are – he is right. What’s your take on this? Share below.