There was a point near the beginning of the 2012 season that former Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero remembers being a perilous time for Paul Goldschmidt.
Goldschmidt, then 24, had enjoyed some success as a late-season call-up from the minor leagues the year before and was expected to receive most of the playing time at first base heading into the season.
But he hit just .193 through the first month, and appeared to be in danger of losing his position. Perhaps he needed more time to develop in Triple-A.
"He was pretty much a game away from being sent down," remembered Montero, now with the Chicago Cubs.