Welcome back to another round of the division preview series, this time heading over to the west coast portion of the NL and tackling the National League West. The National League West has a lot of potential to be one of the strongest divisions in the sport. The Dodgers are obviously exist and are the favorites, but the Diamondbacks are coming off a World Series appearance and don't sleep on the Giants or Padres. With that being said, the division looks to be competitive in the new season, with a plethora of talent to be showcased. With all that being said, let's dive into the five teams that make up the National League West.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Key Additions
- 3B Eugenio Suarez
- LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
- OF/DH Joc Pederson
- OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Key Loses
- 3B Evan Longoria
- OF Tommy Pham
Coming off an improbable World Series appearance in 2023, the Diamondbacks are entering 2024 ready to go and eager to finish the job this time around. Veteran manager Torey Lovullo has a strong roster assembled for him, putting Arizona in a strong position to prove that last year was not a fluke.
Headlined by none other than Corbin Carroll, the Diamondbacks lineup can make some serious noise. The 2023 NL Rookie of the Year is coming off a sensational rookie season, where he put up 25 homes runs and 54 stolen bases, proving why the Diamondbacks extended the outfielder after only 38 career major league games. Veterans Ketel Marte, Christian Walker, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. surround Carroll at the top of the lineup, a top four that will create fear for opposing pitchers. Veteran offseason acquisitions Joc Pederson and Eugenio Suarez add some pop and depth to Arizona's lineup, with the core of the lineup being capped off by an up and coming catcher in Gabriel Moreno. Alek Thomas and Geraldo Perdomo look to round off this lineup, which is seemingly underrated heading into 2024. Looking away from the offensive production, this linuep has a chance to be one of the strongest defensive teams in the league this year. Corbin Carroll and Alek Thomas patrol the outfield like no other duo can, Christian Walker is one of the smoothest first baseman in the game, and Gabriel Moreno is already an elite defensive backstop. Watch out for this Arizona defense, as they can easily bring home a multitde of gold gloves this year.
CORBIN CARROLL. Rookie Of the Year.
— LEEZUS (@AndrewLeezus) November 13, 2023
Superstar for the next decade. pic.twitter.com/FsGXDuibC8
On the pitching side, Arizona's rotation is led by Zac Gallen, an ace that is coming off a third place finish in the NL Cy Young race. At times, Gallen can straight up dominate any lineup and he's backed by an underappreciated rotation. Merrill Kelly seems to be slept on at times, but compliments Gallen as a very strong 1-2 duo atop the rotation. Even though that duo is coming back for 2024, Arizona went out and got two of the best left handed pitchers in baseball, adding Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery via free agency. Backed by Brandon Pfaadt, the Diamondbacks rotation follows their lineup in the sense that both seem to be heavily underrated heading into the new season.
42.1 consecutive scoreless innings
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) September 11, 2022
ZAC GALLEN WITH THE DBACKS RECORD pic.twitter.com/a0j3OgeLXi
While they don't have the star power the might Los Angeles Dodgers have, the Diamondbacks have assembled a very strong roster. With that being said, I don't seem them winning the division, but I do see them making it competitive and at least making the postseason, with a chance to do something special once again.