Rookie manager Torey Lovullo oversaw a 29-win improvement over the 2016 season. They made the postseason and won the Wild Card game to advance to the NLDS. They did not fare well there as they were swept by the Dodgers.
The Arizona Diamondbacks had one of the most dynamic starting rotations in the Majors. They had a team ERA of 3.66, which was second in the National League. Robbie Ray and Zack Greinke were one of the best 1-2 combos in baseball.
The Diamondbacks lost power hitter J.D. Martinez this offseason. Did they add enough offense to their starting lineup to make up for such a huge loss?
Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
2017 Win/Loss Record: 93-69
Key Additions: OF Steven Souza Jr., RP Brad Boxberger, RP Yoshihisa Hirano, OF Jarrod Dyson, C Alex Avila, RP Albert Suarez, C Anthony Recker, RP Antonio Bastardo, RP Neftali Feliz, SP Kris Medlen, RP Fernando Salas, C Josh Thole & SP Anthony Vasquez
Key Losses: OF J.D. Martinez, 3B Brandon Drury, RP Fernando Rodney, C Chris Iannetta, RP J.J. Hoover, OF Gregor Blanco, RP Tom Wilhelmsen & RP David Hernandez
Interleague Schedule: AL West
Projected Starters: Alex Avila, Paul Goldschmidt, Chris Owings, Jake Lamb, Ketel Marte, Steven Souza Jr., A.J. Pollock, & David Peralta
Projected Starting Rotation: Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, Taijuan Walker, Patrick Corbin & Zack Godley
Closer: Archie Bradley
Fantasy Sleeper: SP Taijuan Walker – Walker was once one of the best prospects in all of baseball. He is a few years removed from having that distinction and hasn’t been able to duplicate his early success at the highest level. I think he’s a post-hype sleeper this season. He’s overshadowed by Greinke and Ray in the rotation and could be a nice source of strikeouts. If he can somehow get his control under, um, control, he would be a very nice fantasy option. He’s still only 25 years old, so his prime is still ahead of him.
Prospect To Keep Your Eye On: 1B Christian Walker – Walker is probably the best power hitter the Diamondbacks have in their farm system, but he’s blocked by Paul Goldschmidt. He is expected to make the team out of Spring Training, but if he doesn’t, he could age out of the team. He will be 27 by the start of the season and he will be in his peak. There has to be a way to get him in lineup. They may want to think about starting him in the minors and learning him a new position like left field or third. Jake Lamb is at third, but they could use position flexibility if injuries occur.
Team Analysis: The Diamondbacks made the postseason a year after only winning 64 games. First-year manager Torey Lovullo must have had a magic wand to make near-30 win improvement in a season. He can thank improved performances by starter Robbie Ray and the midseason trade for slugger J.D. Martinez. He went on to hitting 29 homers in only 62 games for the D-backs.
Arizona lost Martinez this offseason and made a trade to acquire young power hitter Steven Souza Jr. from the Rays. The rest of the offseason was spent adding bullpen arms and bolstering their bench.
The NL West is going to be an improved division overall. The Dodgers are the cream of the crop while the Giants added some top-flight veterans and the Rockies are young and hungry. I believe losing J.D. Martinez will hurt them quite a bit. He was such a tour de force upon his arrival and made the entire offense hum along. I don’t see Souza being an adequate substitution for him. Arizona will be good, but they will regress a little back to a .500 team this season.
2018 Wins Over/Under Betting Line: 85.5 (Prediction: UNDER)
2018 Projected Win/Loss Record: 82-80 (4th in NL West)
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.