ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Diamondbacks listed by ESPN as a possible surprise contender

Mar 22, 2019, 7:00 PM

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)...

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The Diamondbacks open up the 2019 season next Thursday, with perhaps more uncertainty than in seasons prior.

The departures of Patrick Corbin and A.J. Pollock via free agency and Paul Goldschmidt via trade have left a lot of production that needs to be replaced, which has made people pessimistic on the team’s chances to improve on the 82 wins they posted last season.

The D-backs still have some talented players left over, though, which is why Craig Edwards of ESPN named them in his article listing four teams that could follow the 2018 Oakland Athletics and be surprise contenders in 2019.

While the lineup lacks star power, every position has a player with at least average production. If David Peralta and Eduardo Escobar repeat their solid 2018 seasons and Jake Lamb recovers from shoulder problems in a lost year, the Diamondbacks should have a well-rounded lineup.

Edwards named the D-backs’ rotation as a strength of the team, and claimed that it could be good enough to keep them in the playoff hunt in the wide open National League.

On the mound, Zack Greinke should provide another good year. Robbie Ray struck out 31 percent of opposing batters last season and continues to show the stuff of an ace. Zack Godley was solid last season and could be again. If Luke Weaver can develop a solid third pitch, he has a ton of promise as well. Merrill Kelly is a wild card after pitching in Korea the past three seasons.

Edwards also said that the D-backs’ bullpen could be a big factor next season, and listed a couple of players that he feels could do well in late-inning situations.

In the pen, Greg Holland pitched well for the Nationals after the Cardinals moved on, and Archie Bradley should provide a ton of key outs. Yoshihisa Hirano and Andrew Chafin could help in late innings, and Taijuan Walker could come back at some point and help in the rotation or in relief.

The D-backs have a lot of ifs that need to go their way in 2019, but in the event that they do, they could surprise some people similar to how the A’s did last year.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches on the first inning against the Colorado Rockies...

Kellan Olson

Zac Gallen, Corbin Carroll lead Diamondbacks to 3rd straight win

The Arizona Diamondbacks had two huge individual performances lead to a pretty standard win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.

1 day ago

Jake McCarthy #31 of the Arizona Diamondbacks gets a lead from first base against the Los Angeles D...

Wills Rice

D-backs’ Jake McCarthy searches for right timing in 2nd stint of 2023

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been off to a stellar start to the 2023 season largely due to copious amounts of depth and young talent.

1 day ago

Carson Kelly #18 of the Arizona Diamondbacks stands at second after a fielders choice during the th...

Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Carson Kelly, Joe Mantiply nearing rehab assignments

Injured Diamondbacks Carson Kelly and Joe Mantiply will face each other on Tuesday and could receive rehab assignments later this week.

2 days ago

Arizona Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith points skyward after a three-run home run against the Colorado Ro...

Alex Weiner

D-backs’ lineup, Drey Jameson come through in victory over Rockies

The Arizona Diamondbacks opened their four-game set against the visiting Colorado Rockies with a win, 7-5. 

2 days ago

(Twitter Photo/@Dbacks)...

Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Kristian Robinson reinstated, can resume playing in games after 3 years

Former Diamondbacks top prospect Kristian Robinson can resume playing in minor league games, as the organization reinstated him on Monday.

2 days ago

Gabriel Moreno accounts for most of the big return in the Daulton Varsho trade but Lourdes Gurriel ...

John Guzzon

Lourdes Gurriel, Gabriel Moreno making Daulton Varsho look like Christmas coal

After years of futility the D-backs are in striking distance in June and a big part of it is the trade made Dec. 23, 2022.

1 day ago

Diamondbacks listed by ESPN as a possible surprise contender