5 questions as D-Backs open spring training
The Diamondbacks are coming off one of their more disappointing seasons in a while, missing the postseason in a year in which more teams made it than not.
They had a quiet offseason, adding just two players on major-league contracts as, by and large, most of the team’s composition already has been decided. The rotation (barring injury) is set, and the lineup is mostly determined.
Still, with Diamondbacks’ pitchers and catchers holding their first workout on Wednesday at Salt River Fields, here are some angles to track throughout spring training.
1. Can (insert name here) bounce back?
The Diamondbacks last year went from a team expecting to contend for a playoff spot to one contending for the No. 1 overall pick. That doesn’t happen without a litany of underperformers.
From Ketel Marte to Madison Bumgarner, from Eduardo Escobar to Luke Weaver, the Diamondbacks had more than their share of struggles. They’re going to need many of those players to recover.
Spring training might not provide many answers, but it could offer clues. Will Bumgarner’s velocity recover? Will Marte’s power return? It should be worth monitoring.
2. Who will step up and win a job?
The Diamondbacks appear to have 10 position players assured of spots. That is assuming Asdrubal Cabrera’s deal is finalized and that Tim Locastro and Stephen Vogt are assured bench jobs.
That will leave three other roster spots up for grabs among a group of position players that includes Josh Rojas, Josh VanMeter, Andy Young, Daulton Varsho, Wyatt Mathisen and Pavin Smith.
All have had success in the minors while playing only sparingly, thus far, in their major-league careers.
But all could force their way into significant at-bats if they perform in camp.
3. How will at-bats be divided up?
This one dovetails with the previous question: Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen has talked about a need for his club to do some lineup optimization with its position players this season. That means being even more aggressive in finding the right matchups for hitters on a daily basis.
If Josh Rojas and/or Josh VanMeter make the roster, they could find themselves getting semi-regular at-bats against right-handed pitching. Perhaps Locastro or Young become occasional, right-handed options on outfield corners. Or maybe Varsho swings the bat so well — and looks good enough in center field — that he forces the club to reconsider its everyday lineup.
The club holds this group of youngyet-unproven position players in high regard. Spring should give us a glimpse at how the team plans to deploy them.
4. Who will start opening day?
There is little question that Zac Gallen has emerged as the Diamondbacks’ best starting pitcher. He has pretty much held that distinction since the club acquired him at the deadline in July 2019.
But will the club pass the proverbial ace torch to Gallen? Or will it stick with Bumgarner, despite the veteran coming off a down year?
In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t a question that matters all that much. Both pitchers should have a chance to make the same number of starts in 2021. But it will be interesting to see if the club is willing to sort of publicly acknowledge what seems evident: that their ace, as of now, is Gallen.
5. Is there hope for the bullpen?
The Diamondbacks seem destined to rebuild their bullpen every year, but it’s been at least three or four years since they’ve had this much potential turnover.
A case can be made that only Joakim Soria is assured of a job. Sure, several others might have a leg up — Stefan Crichton, for one — but it seems as though only Soria will make the club regardless of how he looks in spring training.
As always, there are reasons to be believe the unit could be better. Soria has a solid track record. Crichton seemed to establish himself last year.
And several others -- Kevin Ginkel, Alex Young, invitee Ryan Buchter — are not so far removed from successful 2019 seasons. Moreover, the club has a stable of hard throwers with good stuff.
Another reason to be hopeful: You really never know with bullpens. But spring training could provide clues on what to expect.