This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert’s D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
If it’s almost the start of Spring Training, then it’s time for the first Opening Day roster projection of the year.
All the usual caveats apply – it’s very early, so a lot of this could change, not only based on performance, but health and who else the Diamondbacks acquire before or in the first few weeks of Spring Training.
With all that in mind, here’s a look at a possible Diamondbacks Opening Day roster:
Catcher (3): Gabriel Moreno, James McCann, Adrian Del Castillo
Keeping Moreno healthy for an entire season will be a big priority for the Diamondbacks. McCann impressed the organization with not just his play on the field last year, but his leadership in the clubhouse. Del Castillo is a catcher, but would likely see most of his time as the designated hitter.
Infielders (6): Nolan Arenado, Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, Pavin Smith, Tim Tawa, Carlos Santana
Arenado (third), Marte (second) and Perdomo (shortstop) expect to get the bulk of the playing time, though the team will make sure to get Arenado some days off and Marte some time at designated hitter.
First base is more of an open question, with Smith possibly getting more of the at-bats against right-handed pitching. But the team loves Santana’s defense at the position and he’s a switch-hitter, so depending on how Smith plays this spring and early into the season, Santana could take some of those at-bats from him along with starting against left-handers.
Tawa has shown the ability to play first and second and he can also play all three outfield positions, so his versatility makes him extremely valuable.
Outfielders (4): Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Jordan Lawlar, Jorge Barrosa
The team will be without Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to open the season as he recovers from a serious knee injury. Lawlar will get a long look in left and center field this spring after playing there briefly in winter ball. With a good spring, he could cement himself some significant playing time right out of the gate.
Thomas swung the bat better later in the season and will get the first shot in center, while Carroll will once again be a fixture in right where he made tremendous improvement defensively last year, particularly with his throwing arm.
Barrosa is out of Minor League options and his ability to play all three outfield positions at a high clip, as well as his speed, makes him a very valuable fourth outfielder. Tawa can also play some outfield, as can Smith in a pinch, so that gives them some depth.
Keep an eye on top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt, who is a non-roster invite to Spring Training. If you are looking for a dark horse candidate to make the Opening Day roster, he would be it.
Rotation (5): Merrill Kelly, Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Soroka
Corbin Burnes will miss the first few months in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but the rotation appears set heading into camp thanks to the re-signing of Kelly to a two-year, $40 million deal in the offseason after dealing him for three promising arms at last year’s Trade Deadline.
Bullpen (8): Kevin Ginkel, Taylor Clarke, Jonathan Loáisiga, Andrew Saalfrank, Brandyn Garcia, Kade Strowd, Ryan Thompson, Drey Jameson
The bullpen is always the hardest part of the roster to predict, especially before camp even opens, so take this list with a grain of salt. The 'pen was a sore spot for the Diamondbacks last year and they’ll be without co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez for the first few months of the season. The competition for the final spots in the pen should be fierce this spring and Arizona has young arms like Juan Morillo, Juan Burgos and Andrew Hoffmann, just to name a few, who could find their way onto the roster.