During spring training, manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks told listeners the shortstop job is open to competition. No one player had an edge, and Lovullo said the decision who plays will be dictated by the players themselves. In effect, he pointed out that the starter will be driven by their play and character.
As days of the season approached, Lovullo anointed Chris Owings as his starting shortstop and the skipper took Owings’ bat over Nick Ahmed’s glove. Through the opening weeks of the season, Lovullo has not regretted the decision. Owings broke out of the gate in style and delivered his first career, walk off single in the Diamondbacks’ opening day win over the San Francisco Giants.