D-Backs notebook: Hitters to work on limiting strikeouts

After setting a franchise record with 1,287 strikeouts, second to Florida in the major leagues this season, Diamondbacks hitters were sent home with the understanding that things must change.

D-Backs will look to improve offense in 09

"We're going to do some things in spring training to address the issue," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "Guys had a propensity to strike out, and a lot of times they were lined up next to each other."

Five D-Backs - Mark Reynolds (204), Chris Young (165), Justin Upton (121), Stephen Drew (109) and Chris Snyder (101) - had more than 100 strikeouts. Reynolds and Upton averaged more than one strikeout for every three at-bats.

A likely teaching point will be to change the two-strike approach, with an emphasis on putting the ball in play.

Using Reynolds - who set the major league strikeout record this season - as an example, Melvin said:

"Can we it cut it to 50? Probably not. But with 160, he's a good athlete. If he puts the ball in play, he can run a little and get on base. It's something he's going to concentrate on this spring."

COACHING STAFF

The Diamondbacks are having ongoing discussions regarding new contracts with the coaching staff, and Melvin said he hopes his entire staff will return.

"The last two years, this staff has worked as hard as any staff I've ever had," Melvin said. "They have been with the younger guys in the system. They have a good feel for the players. I'd like to have the whole group back."

Melvin has had the same group together for 1 1/2 seasons, since Rick Schu was hired as hitting coach to replace Kevin Seitzer at the 2007 All-Star break.

"It is the same group of guys who helped a team overachieve in 2007," general manager Josh Byrnes said.

SCHERZER SCHEDULED

Max Scherzer is scheduled to throw in the Instructional League on Thursday before joining the Phoenix Desert Dogs to start the Arizona Fall League opener Oct. 7.

Scherzer also is tentatively scheduled to start games Oct. 13 and Oct. 18, after which the D-Backs will evaluate him as they attempt to get him to around 140 innings this season.

Scherzer pitched 56 innings in two stints with the D-Backs, making seven starts, and also had 53 innings at Triple-A Tucson in two stints there.

"Ideally, he'd go seven innings and throw 100 pitches" in his Fall League games, Byrnes said.

SHORT HOPS

The D-Backs are interested in placing Miguel Montero in the Arizona Fall League, where they could get him some work at third base, but there is some red tape. Montero would have to get clearance from his Venezuelan winter league team. Fall League rules also generally restrict foreign players from participating. The D-Backs see third base as a way to possibly get Montero's bat in the lineup. ...

On his first free day, Melvin watched more baseball, driving to Tucson to watch the D-Backs' Instructional League team. Daniel Schlereth, the team's No. 1 draft pick in June, was among the pitchers Melvin watched. ...

Infielder Jamie D'Antona will undergo offseason knee surgery, Byrnes said. He is the only D-Backs player who needs an operation.