D-backs’ Goldschmidt, Greinke listed among top MLB players in 2018
Feb 17, 2018, 7:32 AM | Updated: 2:02 pm
(AP Photos)
(AP Photos)
The baseball world took note of the Arizona Diamondbacks following a 2017 campaign that saw them reach the postseason for the first time in five years.
First-year manager Torey Lovullo was awarded Manager of the Year, while first baseman Paul Goldschmidt finished third in the NL’s Most Valuable Player voting.
Goldschmidt is once again receiving recognition along with others as the D-backs prepare for the first full team workout of spring training.
Sports Illustrated’s MLB writers compiled a list of the top big league players ahead of the 2018 season. Taking into account past performance, history with injuries and future predictions, they evaluated each player to form the list of 100 players.
Goldschmidt was the highest-rated D-backs’ player at No. 10, while pitcher Zack Greinke cracked the top 25 at No. 24.
The recognition is the latest for the D-backs’ first baseman, who won a Gold Glove Award and a Silver Slugger Award for the 2017 season.
Goldschmidt played a major role in the D-backs’ ability to reach the postseason, hitting .297/.404/.563 with 36 home runs and 120 RBI. On defense, he committed just four errors with a .997 fielding percentage.
Another contribution to the D-backs’ success was Greinke’s 13-1 record and 2.97 ERA at home. Greinke finished the 2017 season fourth in Cy Young Award voting after finishing 17-7 overall with an ERA of 3.20.
Along with Greinke and Goldschmidt, outfielder A.J. Pollock (55), former D-backs’ outfielder J.D. Martinez (61) and pitcher Robbie Ray (98) were also included in Sports Illustrated’s list.
The Diamondbacks’ first full team workout is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 19 with the first spring training game on Feb. 23 against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale.
