Countdown to Opening Day: #15 Arizona Diamondbacks

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#15 Arizona Diamondbacks: Snake Bitten

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Gerrardo Parra
3B Martin Prado
1B Paul Goldschmidt
LF Mark Trumbo
2B Aaron Hill
C Miguel Montero
RF Cody Ross
SS Didi Gregorious

PROJECTED ROTATION
Patrick Corbin
Wade Miley
Trevor Cahill
Bronson Arroyo
Randall Delgado

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Addison Reed

Set-up: JJ Putz

Top Prospect: Archie Bradley (RHP)

I may sound redundant, but I am going to say it again this year on this blog. The idea of heart and hustle outperforming stars that may or may not run to first base on an easy ground out is a little laughable. While

Paul Goldschmidt

trading Justin Upton did not destroy the Diamondbacks, as Prado was as advertised and the brothers Upton struggled in Atlanta, I still think eventually they regret that deal.
Though because of a few emerging stars I think the D'Backs might actually get bailed out. First basemen Paul Goldschmidt looks like a MVP candidate year in and year out and Patrick Corbin could be a bonafide ace. But how far can those two really carry them?
There depth is questionable. They have no true lead off hitter and no steady run producer to team up with Goldy. Corbin is backed up the roller coaster rotation from hell in Trevor Cahill, Wade Miley and Bronson Arroyo, and Brandon McCarthy - all guys who can throw a nine inning shutout one day and come back to give up nine runs in the next.
Another wild card is Archie Bradley. If he can bring what he did in the minors to the majors this team has a brand new feel. But til then...just a middle of the pack squad in my mind.

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - What a combo Corbin and Bradley become. Not the team you want to see in a short series all of sudden. Goldschmidt grabs his MVP and Miguel Montero bounces back to become one of the best hitting catchers in the game again. It turns out hustle can out-perform heat.

REAL TALK - They are a border line playoff team in a division on the rise. Almost going on a gut feeling here, but something says they are a piece or two away from really contending. I think Goldschmidt is for real, but he may need a partner in crime, like a Justin Upton (OK, no more shots about trading Upton), to get a championship squad in Arizona.

Breakout: Archie Bradley (RHP)

Bust: Cody Ross (OF)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Miguel Montero (C)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 81-81 (2nd in NL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 85-75 (4th in NL West) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Tampa Bay Rays*