Ahmed to Ziegler: Get to know the 25 Diamondbacks on the Opening Day roster

Apr 3, 2016, 8:00 AM | Updated: Apr 4, 2016, 1:44 pm

ArizonaSports.com lead editor

Last year, Nick Ahmed made small strides to become more than an offensive liability. Yet, he was always appreciated for ranking fifth in MLB in defensive runs saved -- it's a reason he and acquisition Jean Segura, also a shortstop, are expected to split time with fellow infielder Chris Owings.

USA's closer Jake Barrett pitches against Mexico during the ninth inning of their semifinal game at the Premier12 world baseball tournament at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. The United States beat Mexico 6-1 and reach the final. (AP Photo/Toru Takahashi)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Silvino Bracho tosses to first base during a spring training baseball practice, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

$Socrates Brito began spring on the bubble to make the 25-man roster, but his athleticism and speed now make him the next man up following A.J. Pollock's fractured elbow.$

Arizona Diamondbacks' Welington Castillo, right, talks with bench coach Glenn Sherlock, left, during a spring training baseball workout Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The only lefty in the Diamondbacks' bullpen, Andrew Chafin quietly put together a strong season as a long reliever and will be leaned on more with Josh Collmenter beginning 2016 on the disabled list.

The $8.3 million the D-backs will pay reliever Tyler Clippard this year after signing him as a free agent only highlighted the doubling down of Arizona's front office when it came to spending money to win now.

Josh Collmenter finds himself in a very different spot. This time a year ago, he entered the season as the team's ace. Instead, he begins 2016 on the disabled list due to a shoulder problem.

Positive pitching from left-handed starter Patrick Corbin's could take the D-backs' prospects from above-average to very, very good. After he returned from Tommy John surgery last season with limitations, returning to an All-Star level in the third starting spot would do wonders for the redone pitching staff.

Rubby De La Rosa won a team-high 14 games a season ago, but the more knowledgeable Diamondbacks fans want to see if that was due to substance on the mound or simply related to very good run support.

In his fourth season on the mound for Arizona, Randall Delgado has been steady as a long reliever. He went 8-4 last season for a team that struggled with overworking its relievers.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon Drury (27) celebrates with Nick Ahmed (13) after Drury hit a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 7, 2016, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Arizona dumped Bronson Arroyo's contract by also trading pitching prospect Touki Toussaint to the Braves during the 2015 season, and utility man Phil Gosselin was the main piece in exchange. GM Dave Stewart swears by his grit and versatility.

You know Paul Goldschmidt. Will the D-backs' first baseman finally enter the MVP conversation with production like last season combined with a few more team wins?

Arizona signed ace Zack Greinke to a $206 million contract to snag him from the Los Angeles Dodgers, effectively changing the complexion of the NL West.

Acquired this offseason in a trade with the Twins, catcher Chris Herrmann beat out Horizon High School and ASU product Tuffy Gosewisch to win the backup catcher job.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Daniel Hudson shows off one of the new jerseys during the unveiling of the team's 2016 jerseys, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in Phoenix. (Patrick Breen/The Arizona Republic via AP)

Quietly, Jake Lamb's fine spring got him a lock on the starting job at third base -- again.

Arizona gave up its 2015 first overall draft pick (Dansby Swanson), a starting pitching prospect (Aaron Blair) and its lead-off man (Ender Inciarte) to acquire starting pitcher Shelby Miller. Behind ace Zack Greinke, the pressure is on the former Atlanta pitcher who went 6-17 with the struggling Braves last year.

A shoulder injury last spring hurt Chris Owings production come the season, but now he's healthy. Perhaps the odd man out with fellow second baseman Jean Segura the projected lead-off man and Nick Ahmed at shortstop, Owings didn't become irrelevant. Manager Chip Hale will rotate him in the infield, and possibly will use Owings in center field against left-handed pitchers due to A.J. Pollock's injury.

Choo, choooo! Here comes the Freight Train. While A.J. Pollock went from under-appreciated to well known last year, outfielder David Peralta is the baseball hipster's favorite D-back this year after he slashed .312/.371/.522 in 2015.

$A.J. Pollock missed most of spring with a sore elbow before fracturing it just as he came back and spring ended. The All-Star now faces a long recovery as his team hopes to find replacements high in the batting order and in center.$

Left-hander Robbie Ray entered Cactus League play as the favorite to win the fifth starting spot and did nothing to make manager Chip Hale and Co. think otherwise. Developing a better pace and going deeper into games are the next steps for the 24-year-old.

The most-questionable move -- in the national media's eye -- by the Diamondbacks came when they acquired infielder Jean Segura from the Brewers. A shortstop by trade who may end up playing more at second, his hitting by statistical numbers weren't anything special. Arizona would counter that his energy and base-stealing ability is valuable beyond his OPS+ that was tied for third-worst with Kansas City's lead-off man, Alcides Escobar. Chip Hale would point out the Royals did just fine with Escobar leading off for them.

Trimmed down from his rookie season, Cuban import Yasmany Tomas takes the left field spot vacated by David Peralta's move to right and Ender Inciarte's departure to Atlanta. Tomas batted .419 in spring training, and all eyes are on if he can begin living up to the hefty contract he signed.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Rickie Weeks scores on a base hit by teammate Gabriel Guerrero as Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell looks on during the second inning of a spring training baseball game, Friday, March 4, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Reliever Brad Ziegler took on a new role as closer last season and the results were promising enough to the point Arizona didn't feel the need to move him back to a role as set-up man.

The Arizona Diamondbacks enter 2016 with sky-high expectations.

The signing of ace Zack Greinke sparked the anticipation, and the moves from there only built through spring. With that done with and the regular season about to begin, the D-backs announced their 25-man, Opening Day roster on Saturday.

There were, of course, many familiar names.

Paul Goldschmidt and Greinke lead the way in terms of stardom. Shelby Miller, Patrick Corbin, David Peralta and more command respect. There were surprises, to be sure. Infielder Brandon Drury made the cut as an up-and-comer, while veteran Rickie Weeks surprised by earning himself a spot on the Diamondbacks’ roster.

Injuries to familiar faces like A.J. Pollock and Josh Collmenter added complexities to the team and opened opportunities for others.

So here is a quick refresher of all 25 players (plus the aforementioned disabled list players) who made the Opening Day roster, plus how and where they project to help the D-backs as they chase their big dreams for the 2016 season.

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