The D-backs’ rotation is pretty boring from a fantasy standpoint, but they’ve got one stud hitter and some interesting complementary pieces in the lineup.
Key additions: 1B Mark Trumbo, CL Addison Reed, RP Brad Ziegler
Key losses: SP Tyler Skaggs, RP Heath Bell
Projected Lineup
1. Gerardo Parra CF
2. Aaron Hill 2B
3. Paul Goldschmidt 1B
4. Miguel Montero C
5. Mark Trumbo LF
6. Martin Prado 3B
7. Cody Ross/A.J. Pollock RF
8. Didi Gregoruis/Chris Owings SS
Parra is expected to start the season in right field in place of the injured Ross. He had 10 homers and 10 steals last season, and while that’s not bad, it’s not worth drafting in 12-team mixed leagues … If Hill stays healthy, he’s capable of a 20-homer, 15-steal season. Definitely a top-10 2B … Goldschmidt slots right behind Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera on my overall draftboard. Stud, stud, stud … You know you’re taking the righty-lefty-righty thing too seriously when you bat Montero in the cleanup spot. Last season was probably more the start of a fade than an off-year … Trumbo is 11th on my 1B list (if you don’t count Buster Posey and Carlos Santana, anyway). He might hit for a bad BA, but 30 homers are coming once again … Prado is more valuable at 3B than as an OF. I think he’s a top-10 3B, but let’s hope he starts running again … Ross is too mediocre to draft in 12-team mixed leagues, but he could hit 15-20 homers. He’s expected to start the season on the DL with a minor hip injury … Pollock is speedy, and could get the short end of a platoon with Parra when Ross returns, or be part of a three-way CF/RF rotation that won’t be good for anyone’s fantasy value … Gregorius has a really good glove, but what do we care? Let’s all root for Owings to win this job, since he could hit a dozen homers and steal 15-20 bases.
Projected Rotation
1. Patrick Corbin
2. Trevor Cahill
3. Wade Miley
4. Brandon McCarthy
5. Bronson Arroyo
CL: Addison Reed/J.J. Putz
Corbin is being drafted as an SP4, which is about where I have him, but he could provide value there … Cahill gets lots of ground balls, but Ks too few and walks too many … Miley is another guy who’s too mediocre to worry about in mixed leagues … Never mind McCarthy getting hit in the head with that line drive – his health was an issue before that. However, last year’s increased ground-ball rate makes him somewhat interesting in deep mixed leagues … Arroyo is a low-K innings eater with a 4.19 career ERA, and you don’t need any of those.
As of March 14, Reed hadn’t officially been named as the D-backs’ closer, and you shouldn’t draft him as a top-15 saves option until things are cleared up. J.J. Putz is the main contender, and the fallback option in case of a Reed injury/implosion.
Sleeper: Owings, for the reasons mentioned above. He appears to have decent power, 15-steal speed, and a habit of swinging at every pitch thrown within a three-state radius. He’ll post nice fantasy numbers if he plays.
Top Prospects
Archie Bradley, SP – Bradley is an ace in waiting, but the D-backs seem to have enough pitching to keep him in Triple A for at least half a season more.
Chris Owings, SS – See the two mentions above.
Jake Barrett, RP – Closer of the future!
