Maybe a touch late on this, with the Seoul series having already been played out between the Dodgers and Padres, but we made sure to get the NL West in!
Seriously though, it feels like a race for second place with LA in this division. They're a classic franchise that loves a good postseason choke, so I'm not writing them up as World Series champs just yet, but they're -600 to take the West for good reason. Time will tell though!
In the meantime, one last preview:
Arizona Diamondbacks
Starting out in the desert, with an upstart bunch that could make some noise as the year progresses. Arizona secured a wildcard bid in 2023 after an infusion of young talent fueled a late season push. That group's a year further developed, with bountiful upside still.
The future is now behind the plate, with Gabriel Moreno fresh off a .284/7/50 line in his rookie campaign. He's only 24 years old, providing plenty of room for growth. Christian Walker is a power bat holding down first, with fellow bomber, free agent signing Eugenio Suarez opposite of him-- a nice duo on the corners. Ketel Marte is as steady as they come at second, while the team hopes Geraldo Perdomo can continue his positive trajectory at short.
Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll is the main name in the outfield, looking for an encore to his brilliant first season. Only a matter of time til we get to see him and Druw Jones teamed up out there. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. brings a little pop out of left. His former teammate in Toronto Randal Grichuk was a valuable offseason acquisition, for depth if nothing else. Alek Thomas and Joc Pederson will get some time every now and again in this top heavy group.
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| Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images |
But this rotation...my favorite in the league. As any season, Zac Gallen is a Cy Young threat, coming off a 17-9 stint with a 3.47 ERA and 9.4 K/9. He may have been the second best pitcher on the squad though, with Merrill Kelly posting 3.29 and 9.5 for those same stats, respectively. A debate D-Backs fans will welcome! Then comes free agent star Eduardo Rodriguez, quite possibly giving the Snakes the best 1-3 punch in the baseball. Brandon Pfaadt was a strikeout machine in the minors and looks to have brought that up with him early on. Ryne Nelson will eat some innings too. No shortage of arms.
Paul Sewald was an elite closer in Seattle, but shaky for Arizona in a small sample size after coming over at July's trade deadline. If he continues to struggle, it'll be an obstacle for this bullpen. Kevin Ginkel and Miguel Castro are solid, while Ryan Thompson seemed to rediscover his form after coming over from Tampa. Then you've got Luis Frias, Kyle Nelson, Joe Mantiply-- not the most unfortunate situation.
Colorado Rockies
If I could stone-cold, guarantee you one team to not be winning their division this season, it's the Colorado Rockies. What a sad, sad state of affairs in the Mile High City.
Catcher Elias Diaz is a name to keep an eye on, after making his presence known nationally by winning the All-Star Game MVP last July. He's a decent journeyman whose found an integral role on this team. Michael Toglia will be splitting time at first with Kris Bryant, who's just going through the motions and cashing big checks at this point. Ezequiel Tovar and Ryan McMahon are a fine pairing on the left side of the infield, but nothing elite.
Big fan of Nolan Jones, who Colorado snagged from Cleveland two summers ago for Juan Brito. Plenty of optimism surrounding the 25 year old right fielder after a .297/20/62 line. He's set to miss a little time at the beginning of this year but will be back soon But Brenton Doyle's not great and Charlie Blackmon feels a little more like a schtick than a talent. Not an intimidating lineup.
Spoiler alert: the starters aren't any better. Kyle Freeland is bad, Austin Gomber is a little worse. Ryan Feltner, 5.82 ERA. Ty Blach, on roster. The offseason addition of Cal Quantrill is a worthwhile dice roll, as he has put up some good numbers in his career. But he sucked in 2023, as this group as a whole will in 2024.
Justin Lawrence is at least a respectable arm who'll get a save opportunity a couple times a month. Jake Bird is okay and that's about it as far as noteworthy relievers for the Rockies. With a farm system in the bottom third of things too, the future couldn't be more dim.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Well, this is a little awkward. Over the course of just a few days, the conversation surrounding the Dodgers went from how many wins they'd rack up to gambling debts and a highly anticipated debut that lasted one inning. Probably no need to smash any panic buttons, but a distracting and unconventional start to the season nonetheless.
This whole team's stacked. Will Smith is solid behind home plate. Mookie Betts decided to just play wherever he wants in the field now, while still raking at the dish. Freddie Freeman will be in the MVP discussion, as should* Shohei Ohtani. And we're only halfway through the lineup!
James Outman's coming off of a strong rookie showing and will be rounding out the outfield with the ever-reliable Jason Heyward. Gavin Lux is back from his freakish ACL tear and will be floating middle of the infield. On the hot corner, Max Muncy is a legit power threat every time he's up to bat too. No rest most nights for opposing pitchers.
Visiting batters aren't generally in for a pleasant stay either. Tyler Glasnow is a solid, veteran top of the rotation guy, followed by newcomer Yoshinobu Yamamoto-- fresh off a one inning rocking over in Seoul. Don't be surprised if second year righty Bobby Miller ends up usurping either of them this season, after going 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA in his inaugural stint. It gets a little murky from there though. James Paxton isn't anything special, Gavin Stone is a rookie and Clayton Kershaw's timeline to return is unknown. And Julio Urias just couldn't keep his hands off of his wife... Definitely going to trade for a starter this summer.
Not too much to worry about in the pen. Former Oriole failure Evan Phillips has quietly become an elite ninth inning man. Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly are two outstanding arms setting things up for him, while Alex Vesia is respectable in his own right. Getting Brusdar Graterol back from the IL will be a tremendous boost as well. Not many late leads going to be surrendered in Los Angeles.
San Diego Padres
For years, I've been in on the Padres. And much like the former San Diego Chargers, the Pads have failed to live up to expectations time and time again.
A team full of shortstops, as a recently trending graphic has identified. However, that day-to-day honor is split between Xander Bogearts and Ha-Seong Kim. The two combined to hit just 36 dingers and drive in 118 runs, concerning production given the money they threw at Xander in particular. Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado hold down the corners, although the former is trending downward. Don't be surprised to see San Diego upgrade at first if they find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt.
Jackson Merrill is an electric rookie in center. A quick emergence from the Severna Park kid would be a big boost for this lineup. Fernando Tatis will be to the right of him, assuming he can avoid the PED's this season. Jurickson Profar should be the everyday guy in left, which is also an area of potential improvement.
The starting pitching should be a strength though. Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Dylan Cease are a great trio at the top, but former Bronx Bombers Michael King and Jhony Brito offer some promise behind them. Converted reliever Pedro Avila seems like a respectable depth piece as well. A group that's as good as any in the league.
This Pads' bullpen will look different then 2023's unit, but should still be competitive regardless. Robert Suarez is a back end arm that'll lock down the ninth as good as any. Tom Cosgrove boasted a 1.75 ERA a year ago, a number he shouldn't fall off too much. Wandy Peralta has a successful track record in the league, while Yuki Matsui is a fun international addition. Some potential for volatility, but a high ceiling for these relievers, as well as the team in general.
San Francisco Giants
Wrapping up our previews in the Bay Area, a team that perennially seems to find themselves in the mix, despite not always having the names to justify it. Expecting very much the same for 2024.
Joey Bart is one of the more hyped catching prospects since Buster Posey, providing some large shoes to fill for San Francisco. It hasn't really clicked yet for the former #2 pick, but at just 27, there's plenty of time to figure things out. University of Maryland alum LaMonte Wade Jr. is an under the radar talent at first, as is Thiaro Estrada at second. Newcomer Matt Chapman is going to bring some power to the hot corner, while Nick Ahmed and 22 year old Marco Luciano figure out short.
I remember watching Luis Matos play center field for the Orioles when I was in elementary school, so the fact that his son is on the Giants is a big reminder of my age. Kid's an intriguing prospect though, who should have a chance to get on the field some. Incumbent starters Mike Yastrzemski and Michael Conforto are above average, but certainly not stalwarts. Jorge Soler was a nice offseason pickup who'll patrol a little right when he's not at DH.
San Fran's rocking some real quality starters though. Brandon Webb is a star, while Blake Snell is the reigning NL Cy Young winner. Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks have live arms and upside, and even Alex Cobb has enjoyed a mini resurgence. Shame Robby Ray will likely miss the entire season; he'd be a very welcome middle of the rotation man.
Camilo Doval is a stud to trot out to the mound every ninth inning, coming off a 39 save, 2.93 ERA 2023. Twins Taylor and Tyler Rogers will set things up for him-- and good luck telling this difference between the two. Not only do they look identical, but both are equally tough to face. Luke Jackson looks like a solid piece for the middle innings, as does Ryan Walker.
Bold Predictions
-Corbin Carroll's floor: .300/30/100
-Arizona starters post the best ERA in the league
-Nolan Jones will hit at least 25 home runs while boosting his average to .300+
-Colorado starters have the worst ERA in all of baseball
-Despite the boundless talent around him, Mookie Betts will once again lead the team in runs batted in
-The Dodgers trade for a high end starter at the trade deadline to fill their biggest void, possibly Shane Bieber or Brady Singer. Maybe even a guy like Zach Elfin, if the Rays are down
-40 long balls and 100+ RBI for Fernando Tatis Jr.
-Dylan Cease posts an ERA above 4.50
-30+ stolen bases for Thiaro Estrada
-Blake Snell leads the MLB in strikeouts
Predicted Final Standings
1. LA Dodgers
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. San Diego Padres
4. San Francisco Giants
5. Colorado Rockies
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@Choppinglines
*I own no rights to any images found in this blog
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