Category Archives: Paul Goldschmidt

2018 MLB Season Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

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.

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2018 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 50 First Baseman

Our fantasy baseball rankings continue with the best first baseman.

The first base position is really, really deep. There’s all kind of power at the position. There is somewhat of a cliff after you get past the first five or six guys, but you will still be able to get your 1B/3B or backup 1B late in the draft.

My rankings are based on a standard 5×5 league. If you have any specific questions about a different league, email me BobbyMcrib@gmail.com.

1. Paul Goldschmidt – Arizona Diamondbacks – Goldschmidt has been a first-round pick for awhile now. He isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. He’s in the lineup every game, hits for power, is a near-automatic .295 hitter and even steals double-digit bases. He’s about as good as it gets for a corner infielder.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

Former Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo takes over as manager for the Diamondbacks this season. The team has a lot of needs, but does have a true ace with Zack Greinke and an All-Star power hitter in Paul Goldschmidt. Most managers don’t take over a team with those kind of cornerstones. The rest of the roster needs work, but new general manager Mike Hazen could make some moves this season.

The NL West is one of the best divisions in baseball with the Dodgers and Giants expected to battle for playoff spots. How long until Arizona is in that mix?

Will Arizona make some huge in-season trades in hopes of rebuilding or will the new general manager try to avoid a lengthy rebuild and just attempt to retool?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

Chip Hale had a decent first year as Arizona’s manager. They overachieved last season and went on to make some bold moves this offseason.

The Diamondbacks started the offseason by out-bidding the entire league to sign pitcher Zack Greinke. They followed that mega-deal by trading former #1 overall draft pick Dansby Swanson and other prospects to Atlanta for pitcher Shelby Miller. They appear to be figuratively swinging for the fences.

Will Arizona’s big spending pay off this season?

How will Greinke and Miller fare at the top of the rotation?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona comes into the season with new manager Chip Hale. They fired Kirk Gibson after he went 353-375 in four and a half seasons as skipper. The expectations are low for Hale as Arizona isn’t expected to immediately compete for the NL West crown.

The Diamondbacks were dealt with injuries to many of their top stars. Paul Goldschmidt and Mark Trumbo both missed time and pitchers Daniel Hudson and Patrick Corbin didn’t start a single game in 2014 due to both needing Tommy John surgery.

Can Arizona’s young talent speed up Arizona’s rebuilding process?

How will Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas transition to the Majors?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 50 First Baseman

First base is EXTREMELY deep this season. It’s a loaded position with a lot of power and many of the rankings are based on personal preferences. Players with upside usually take precedent over consistent players with little to no upside.

Can you handle a first baseman with power, but a sub-.225 batting average? Do you want to go safe with a player like Adrian Gonzalez or Freddie Freeman?

My rankings are based on a standard 5×5 league. If you have any specific questions about a different league, email me BobbyMcrib@gmail.com.

1. Miguel Cabrera – Detroit Tigers – Most have Miggy as a top-five fantasy first baseman, but I think they are selling the former MVP short. He dealt with injuries for most of last year and he still knocked 25 homers and hit .313. I believe he’ll have another season of at least 35 homers and .310+. I just couldn’t pick another first baseman if Miggy is still on the board.

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2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 40 First Baseman

Putting together fantasy baseball first baseman rankings is always difficult. It’s a loaded position with a lot of power and many of the rankings are based on personal preferences.

Can you handle a first baseman with power, but a sub-.225 batting average? Do you want to go safe with a player like Joey Votto or Freddie Freeman?

My rankings are based on a standard 5×5 league. If you have any specific questions about a different league, email me BobbyMcrib@gmail.com.

1. Paul Goldschmidt – Arizona Diamondbacks – If Chris Davis didn’t have such an amazing year, Goldschmidt would have been the run away #1 overall first baseman this season. The addition of Mark Trumbo helps protect him better in the lineup. I expect another 35/120/.300 season from Goldschmidt.

2. Chris Davis – Baltimore Orioles – We all knew Davis had power, but he surprised everyone with his output in 2013. At one point in the season, he looked like he could surpass the Roger Maris home run record (I have a hard time acknowledging those who broke his home run record). Davis may see a slight decline since pitchers will do their best to avoid pitching to him.

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2014 MLB Team Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

All the moves Arizona made last offseason didn’t do much for their record. They finished the season 81-81 in back-to-back seasons. They even traded their ace Ian Kennedy at the trade deadline.

This offseason, they once again completed one of the biggest offseason trades. They landed outfielder Mark Trumbo and closer Addison Reed, but had to give up one of the top outfield prospects Adam Eaton.

The NL West is improved with the Dodgers becoming a powerhouse and the Giants have all their guys back from injury. It will be difficult for Arizona to hang with those clubs.

Can manager Kirk Gibson push his team and overachieve?

Can Martin Prado bounce back from a ho-hum 2013 campaign?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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