We’re now 9 days away from opening day for the 2018 MLB season. Up next on the list of power rankings is number 9 the Arizona Diamondbacks.
LAST YEAR
93-69. This team was dynamite last year and was setup for a playoff run. They flipped the script, literally. In 2015 they were 69-93. Hard to believe, right? It was a tough ending because they were never going to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers who finished with 104 wins. Then the Dodgers swept them in three games to end a fantastic season for the Diamondbacks. Believe it or not this team put more runs on the board than the Dodgers a season ago. Their ERA ranked number three in all of baseball and unfortunately they lost 3 key players to free agency. JD Martinez went to the Red Sox, their closer Fernando Rodney went to the Twins, and Chris Iannetta went to the Colorado Rockies. Even with these changes they’ll only take a small step back in this 2018 season.
KEY CONTRIBUTOR
My difference maker this season for the Arizona Diamondbacks this year is A.J. Pollock. Pollock missed about 50 games last year with calf and groin injuries. While Arizona went 31-14 during Pollock’s absence, they would’ve rather had him on the field. This season Pollock is projected to hit a slash line of .282/.346/.469, per fangraphs. If you’re into more of the advanced metrics he’s projected at a wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) 107, 100 is average. Pollock is searching for a similar season that he had back in 2015 when he stayed healthy all season and finished with a slash line of .315/.367/.498 and 39 stolen bases. My runner-up for this key contributor role would’ve been Steve Souza Jr. Souza Jr. played for the Tampa Bay Rays last year before being traded to the Diamondbacks. He hit 30 HR’s and had an OPS of .810. He’s trying to replace JD Martinez in Right Field and by the Diamondbacks getting Souza Jr. they’re saving themselves $107 million.
LOOKING AHEAD
As I look ahead to the 2018 season for the Diamondbacks I see a slight decline. I don’t see the pitching staff being able to put up the 3.66 ERA again this year. Zack Greinke has been ruled out for opening day, even though the injury doesn’t appear to be severe, it’s something to keep an eye one. The NL West was a tough division last year, now you have to account for the San Francisco Giants being in the picture as well.
Potential opening day lineup for Diamondbacks:
LF – David Peralta
CF – A.J. Pollock
1B – Paul Goldschmidt
3B – Jake Lamb
RF – Steve Souza Jr.
SS – Nick Ahmed
C – Alex Avila
2B – Ketel Marte
P – Robbie Ray
PREDICTION
86-76. 2nd in the NL West and the #2 Wildcard spot.
