Diamondbacks rotation set up well for the future

The Arizona Diamondbacks have one of the league’s better
starting rotations, with Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson,
Trevor Cahill, Joe Saunders and Josh Collmenter rounding
out the top five.

But Arizona’s stable of arms doesn’t end there, and
according to an ESPN Insider
story, the D-backs have the next great MLB starting
rotation, with Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs, Archie Bradley,
David Holmberg and Andrew Chafin.

The Diamondbacks had the third and seventh overall picks
in the 2011 draft, and they made them count when it came
to arms. Bauer could be in Arizona as early as this year,
and while the high schooler Bradley will certainly take
longer, some feel he eclipses Bauer in terms of upside.

Skaggs was acquired in the Dan Haren trade and his stock
exploded in 2011, as he went from a projectable pitcher to
one who is starting to tap his potential, with some scouts
believing he has a shot at becoming a true ace. It’s a big
drop after the three, but Holmberg is a high-floor player
who should slot into any rotation, while Chafin is an
intriguing pick from last June who just needs to stay
healthy.

Indeed, part of the reason people are so optimistic about
the Diamondbacks is because of pitchers like the ones
listed above.

While there are no guarantees of how any will turn out,
chances are good at least a few of them will contribute at
the major league level, either for the Diamondbacks or
other teams as part of trades.

No matter what, though, this goes to show how far the D-
backs have come since gutting the farm system to acquire
Haren before the 2008 season, as they now have nationally-
recognized talent just waiting for a chance at the major
league level.

Follow @theAdamGreen