1998 Arizona Diamondbacks season
The 1998 Arizona Diamondbacks season was the franchise's 1st season in Major League Baseball and their 1st season at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, as members of the National League West.
They looked to contend in what was a strong National League West. They finished the season 33 games behind the National League Champion San Diego Padres with a record of 65–97, last in the National League West division.
Jeff Suppan was the last player from the inaugural team still active in Major League Baseball when he retired in 2012.
Offseason
- February 7, 1997: Mark Davis was signed as a free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- August 14, 1997: Mark Davis was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers by the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a conditional deal.
- November 17, 1997: Jay Bell signed as a free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- November 18, 1997: Devon White was traded by the Florida Marlins to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jesus Martinez.
- November 18, 1997: Travis Fryman was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Gabe Alvarez, Joe Randa, and Matt Drews.
- December 1, 1997: Matt Williams was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Travis Fryman, Tom Martin, and cash.
- January 8, 1998: Andy Stankiewicz signed as a free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- January 11, 1998: Mark Davis was signed as a free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
1996–97 MLB June drafts and minor league affiliates
The two expansion teams set to debut in 1998, the Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, had two full seasons to establish scouting and player development systems and were permitted to participate fully in the 1996 and 1997 Major League Baseball drafts. The Diamondbacks drafted 30th in both 1996 and 1997, selecting 62 players and 60 players in those drafts. The team began developing those players in a farm system with three minor-league affiliates in 1996 and four in 1997.
Among the players selected and signed by Arizona from those drafts were pitchers Brad Penny and Casey Fossum ; infielders Alex Cintrón, Jack Cust and Junior Spivey ; and outfielders Ron Calloway and Jason Conti.
Visalia affiliation shared with Detroit Tigers
1997 farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: High Desert
Regular season
Opening Day starters
Notable transactions
Player stats
Batting
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average
Pitching
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; BB = Walks allowed
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; BB = Walks allowed
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; BB = Walks allowed