03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 42
MLB ’24 NL WEST PREVIEW ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Sunday, March 24, 2024 42
2023: 84-78, second place, lost to Texas in World Series | Manager: Torey Lovullo (eighth season) | Opening Day: March 28 vs. Colorado
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
1B Christian Walker (.258, 33 HRs, 103 RBIs, .830 OPS), 2B Ketel
Marte (.275, 25, 82), OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.261, 24, 82), C Gabriel
Moreno (.284, 7, 50), 3B Eugenio Suárez (.232, 22, 96 with
Mariners).
PROJECTED ROTATION
RH Zac Gallen (17-9, 3.47 ERA, 210 IP), RH Merrill Kelly (12-8, 3.29),
LH Eduardo Rodríguez (13-9, 3.30 with Tigers), RH Brandon Pfaadt
(3-9, 5.72), LH Tommy Henry (5-4, 4.15).
KEY RELIEVERS
RH Paul Sewald (3-2, 3.12 ERA, 34 saves with Seattle and Arizona),
RH Kevin Ginkel (9-1, 2.48), LH Joe Mantiply (2-2, 4.62), RH Scott
McGough (2-7, 4.73).
ONE TO WATCH
OF Corbin Carroll
(.285, 25, 76, 54 SBs)
OUTLOOK
The Diamondbacks had a solid season but then caught fire in the
playoffs, knocking off the Brewers, Dodgers and Phillies before
losing to the Texas Rangers in a five-game World Series. Corbin
Carroll won NL Rookie of the Year in a stellar debut season while
Walker, Marte, Gurriel and Moreno provided a solid offensive foundation. Arizona should have good starting pitching with Gallen,
Kelly and Rodriguez, but it remains to be seen how Gallen holds
up after throwing nearly 250 innings last season when combining
the regular season and postseason. Arizona was fairly busy during
the offseason — the highlight was signing Eduardo Rodríguez to
an $80 million, four-year deal. The D-backs are still good, but it’s a
tough division with the big-spending Dodgers, Giants and Padres
in the mix.
— Associated Press
CARMEN MANDATO/
GETTY
HE’S HERE
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (left), 3B Eugenio Suárez, OF/DH Joc Pederson, OF/DH Randal Grichuk.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
3B Evan Longoria, OF/DH Tommy Pham.
Scan
code for
more
coverage
of the
MLB