ASU baseball head coach and former DBacks player Willie Bloomquist praises the Diamondbacks

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State baseball head coach Willie Bloomquist has an extensive playing career, with a lot of connection to the Valley. Bloomquist spent three years playing for the Sun Devils, (1997-1999). He was an elite talent and earned Pac-10 play of the year honors in his junior season.

After his decorated playing career in Tempe, Bloomquist began a lengthy 14-year playing career. He began his MLB career with the Mariners in 2002. Fast forward nine years later, and he returned to the Valley.

In 2011 Bloomquist became the first ever former Sun Devil to play for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Although he was only a player with the DBacks for three seasons, he returned to the organization as a coach.

Bloomquist spent five years as a Special Assistant to Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall after joining the front office in May 2016. In this role, Bloomquist assisted Hall and other departments throughout the baseball and business side of the organization, including working on-field with players at all levels of the organization, attending community events, meeting with corporate partners, interacting with season ticket holders, and visiting D-backs Minor League affiliates.

Now he’s back where he started, at Arizona State. This time, as the head coach.

ASU baseball head coach praises Diamondbacks

Bloomquist has a deep connection with the Diamondbacks and praised this 2023 group. He also spoke about the excitement that they’re bringing to the Valley.

“The city’s on fire for them right now, it’s a lot of fun,” Bloomquist said. “The brand of baseball they’re playing has been a lot of fun to watch. They’re an exciting and energetic team that does a lot of little things right. (They) play a little old-school style of baseball. Stolen bases, bunting, moving runners, and they play fundamentally sound, with a dynamite back end of the bullpen… It’s fun to watch them, and I couldn’t be happier for them.”

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