Moreno in control behind plate ... and at it

PHOENIX -- The D-backs were hoping to get an impact catcher behind the plate, both offensively and defensively, when they acquired Gabriel Moreno from the Blue Jays in December.

Those hopes have been realized.

Moreno has proven his ability to spray the ball all over the field while maintaining a fortified position behind the plate. After going 3-for-4 and driving in a run in the D-backs' 5-2 victory over the Marlins on Monday night, Moreno has a slash line of .315/.323/.404 in his first 27 games with Arizona.

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The key to his success so far? According to Moreno and D-backs manager Torey Lovullo, it has just been about becoming comfortable around the team.

“He was a very young player last year playing at the big league level, and he's putting up some concepts together,” Lovullo said. “He came here, and we put a lot on him defensively … to go out there and take care of the pitcher first.

“I think the swing mechanics were always there, but he was probably a little bit excited and going out of the zone. Once we talked to him about it, he brought it back into here. And now he's swinging at strikes and hitting the ball where it's pitched.”

As well as he’s swinging his bat, Moreno’s biggest asset might be his defense.

According to Statcast, Moreno is tied for first in MLB in catcher's caught stealing above average, which is designed to express the skill of catchers at throwing out runners on steal attempts, given the specifics of the opportunities they are presented with. Also, out of 47 eligible players, he ranks seventh in pop time.

In other words, don’t run on Moreno. He attributes his success behind the dish to just working on the basics and clicking with the pitcher.

“My priority is to be able to connect with the pitcher and call the game,” Moreno said in Spanish. “Everything else is doing simple stuff like receiving, catching and blocking the ball. It’s stuff that you always have to work on as a catcher. That’s what I carry with me to the game and the results are showing.”

D-backs starter Zac Gallen certainly clicked with Moreno, going seven innings against the Marlins with seven strikeouts and one run allowed.

“Gabby cares,” Gallen said. “I could care less if a catcher is hitting 1.000 or if he’s hitting .100. I think the biggest thing is, don't let the ball go to the backstop and care. Gabby's really good at that. He eliminates the running game. He's in the war with you.”

Moreno was optimistic when he got the news of the offseason trade. Despite at one point being the Blue Jays’ No. 1 prospect, he knew there would be the opportunity to be an everyday player -- unlike in Toronto where Alejandro Kirk was coming off an All-Star season. It would not only allow the 23-year-old catcher to develop more, but it also meant he’d play a key role with the D-backs and their young, promising roster.

The only challenge posed would be how quickly he’d be able to adjust to learning a new system with Arizona’s pitching staff. So far, it’s been a smooth transition. Moreno enjoys being in a clubhouse with players who are in the same situation as him -- young, still figuring out the trials and tribulations of playing at the Major League level.

“I feel like the conformity I have with guys has given me the confidence to do what I need to,” Moreno. “That confidence helps when I’m on the diamond. I just try to go out and do my job, whether it’s hitting, catching and pitch selection -- all of that stuff. It’s an important relationship to have with the pitcher.”