MLB Preview 2015: Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks 2014 Record: 64-98
Team Overview:
The Diamondbacks and the Rockies seemed to share some similarities. You can ask the Rockies what happened in 2014 when their two stars were out, and the Diamondbacks would have the same feelings. Their star Paul Goldschmidt took a pitch to the hand that ended his season early, as well as his slugging sidekick Mark Trumbo who only played in 88 games before foot surgery ended his year. Leadoff hitter AJ Pollock was having his breakout rookie season before an injury ended his time in just 75 games. Pollocks’ defense, average and speed combined with Trumbos’ power can be a good combination, but the piece that makes the team complete is Goldschmidt, who is a potential .300 hitter with 30+ home run power. They will go as far as he can take them and when looking at the pieces around the three there are young options, but a lot of proving needs to be done.
The team has a veteran infielder in Aaron Hill and his duties will be to play all positions in a utility role to back up their young unproven talent. Nick Ahmed and Chris Owings will take the middle infield and the upside defensively is sky high, but it seems limited at the plate. Both are 25 or under so time is on their side. Jake Lamb has the highest hitting potential and should play a lot third base this season. The 24 year old tore up the minors and look good in 21 games last season but now is his chance to break out. It should be a series of ups and downs, but to be in Goldschmidt’s’ shoes you can’t hate to see youthful upside around you. The team has limited depth in the outfield and will take most of the heavy lifting from Pollock and Trumbo. Trumbo doesn’t bring much defense but his power makes him an every day player. Cody Ross and David Peralta will share time as the third outfielder and you could say Peralta still has upside but both look to be average fill ins.
Speaking of average fill ins that is what you can see a top the Diamondbacks rotation. 29-year-old Josh Colmenter and 26-year old Ruby De La Rosa will look to be a 1-2 punch early on for the D-backs. Not to get too hard on them but they make the bottom of the rotation look better than what it may be. Colmenter is just a guy and De La Rosa couldn’t make an ailing Red Sox rotation in 2014. He has decent stuff but little control. Jeremy Hellickson and Chase Anderson slot in the 3 and 4 guys and you can’t hate Hellickson as a back end guy. Anderson has some decent upside to like possibly more than De La Rosa. He, like his teammate, has control issues, but I think his stuff is better when he figures it out. The bullpen shouldn’t be terrible but they will be looking for a spark in the rotation for sure.
What To Watch For?
I will be watching for that spark. The team traded Trevor Cahil late in the spring and that effectively opened a job for former prospect Archie Bradley. Bradley is a former top ten pick, and while injury ended his 2014 campaign, he looked strong enough in spring for the Diamondbacks to give him the nod. Bradley is only 22, and it may speak to where the teams pitching is more than how MLB ready Bradley but time will only tell that, and I’d rather see him learn in the MLB than be good in AAA.
The team also has Patrick Corbin, who had a potential breakout as a stud in 2013 only to see 2014 end in March due to Tommy John surgery. Corbin is only 25 and is targeting a June return. If the pitching can get to that point they have him, and his young teammate Bradley to look for to really have something.
They have two more young pitchers in Braden Shipley and Aaron Blair that may make spot starts as the season wears on but that is being speculative as both are expected to start in AA. They also have Bronson Arroyo who is coming off surgery, and will look to return by August. With how many options I would hope to see make strides this season and eventually join the rotation is a testament to where I think the rotation is on opening day.
Where Do They Rank?
You have to hope the Diamondbacks find themselves in 2015. I think a future rotation with Corbin, Anderson, Bradley, Shipley and Blair has tremendous upside, and gives them trade chips with the rest, or with one of them if they feel comfortable. While their star Goldschmidt is in his prime, he should have a couple more strong seasons in him because I don’t see this one being too great. Even before him, Trumbo and Pollock went down they weren’t competing, and with all the young pieces they will be looking to 2016 and seeing what they have all season. That is fine but for this season I rank them 5th.
