A big league debut is a huge moment for a player. An experience, good or bad, that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Some are noteworthy -- a player that fans had heard about for years and were eagerly waiting to arrive. Others tell a tale of heart and resilience, of overcoming the odds and seemingly coming out of nowhere.
Here's a look at some of the top rookie debuts for the Diamondbacks over the years:
Travis Lee, March 31, 1998, vs. Rockies
Final line: 3-for-4, HR, RBI
Lee is often referred to as the "Original Diamondback" because he was signed by the club on Oct. 15, 1996, more than a year before the expansion franchise would play its first game. The No. 2 overall pick the previous June, Lee became a free agent due to a since-closed Draft loophole. His debut came, fittingly, in the franchise's first game, and he recorded the organization's first home run.
RHP Max Scherzer, April 29, 2008, vs. Astros
Final line: 4.1 IP, 7 SO
Scherzer was selected in the first round the previous year by the Diamondbacks, and his rise through the system was rapid and well-chronicled. Brought up to provide length in the bullpen, Scherzer made his debut in relief, and he dominated the Astros. In 4 1/3 perfect innings, Scherzer struck out seven and lived up to the hype.
RHP Ryne Nelson, Sept. 5, 2022, at Padres
Final line: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 SO
Nelson was not as hyped of a prospect as Scherzer, but he was part of a core of young pitchers that the Diamondbacks had in Triple-A in 2022, including Drey Jameson and Brandon Pfaadt. Nelson announced his presence with authority in dominating the Padres with his dominant fastball, throwing 87 pitches, 61 for strikes.
RHP Drey Jameson, Sept. 15, 2022, vs. Padres
Final line: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 SO
It was a tough stretch for the Padres, who in the span of 10 days had to face a pair of Arizona pitchers making their debuts. Like Nelson, Jameson shined, as the Diamondbacks shut out San Diego, 4-0.
RHP Geraldo Guzman, July 6, 2000, at Astros
Final line: 8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
Guzman's journey to the mound in Houston that day was circuitous, to say the least. Born in the Dominican Republic, Guzman was originally signed by the Expos and pitched in the Dominican Summer League in 1990 and 1991 before being sidelined by an arm injury. He spent the next seven years working as a carpenter before pitching in Taiwan in 1999. He was signed by Arizona in 2000 and wound up making 17 appearances (10 starts) for them before being released following the 2001 season.
RF Corbin Carroll, Aug. 29, 2022, vs. Phillies
Final line: 1-for-5, 2 RBI
Diamondbacks fans had been waiting for Carroll's arrival since he was selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. Although he had just one hit in his debut, his speed had caused second baseman Jean Segura to make an error earlier in the game. His one hit was a big one, too, as the two runs it drove in were the go-ahead tallies in a 13-7 Arizona win.
RHP Zack Godley, July 23, 2015, vs. Brewers
Final line: 6 IP, 4 H, 7 SO
Godley was part of the Diamondbacks’ return when they traded Miguel Montero to the Cubs in December 2014, and he shined in his debut. Not an overpowering pitcher or a highly ranked prospect, Godley would go 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA in nine games (six starts) for Arizona in 2015.
RF Mitch Haniger, Aug. 16, 2016, vs. Mets
Final line: 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI
Haniger came to the Diamondbacks at the Trade Deadline in 2014 in a deal that sent Geraldo Parra to the Brewers, but that would not be the Arizona trade he is remembered most for. Following the 2016 season, the D-backs dismissed GM Dave Stewart and hired Mike Hazen. Hazen's first move was to trade Haniger to the Mariners as part of a package for second baseman Ketel Marte and right-hander Taijuan Walker.
CF Stone Garrett, Aug. 17, 2022, at Giants
Final line: 2-for-3, 2 2B, 1 RBI
Garrett was drafted by the Marlins in 2014, and after working his way up their system, he was released during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He then began working in real estate before, thanks in a roundabout way to his LinkedIn profile, he wound up being signed by the Diamondbacks in 2021.
1B Paul Goldschmidt, Aug. 1, 2011, at Giants
Final line: 1-for-4
This one is less about his debut than what Goldschmidt would go on to do in his career in Arizona. He followed up that one hit by homering the next night off Tim Lincecum. It would turn out to be a recurring theme for Goldschmidt during his time with the Diamondbacks, as he crushed both Giants and Lincecum.