Projecting the Arizona Diamondbacks 2015 Opening Day Roster

Adam YoungJan 28, 2015

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a new look entering 2015, beginning with new manager Chip Hale and general manager Dave Stewart. They will look to fix the problems that plagued Arizona throughout 2014 en route to an MLB-worst record 64-98.

There are reasons to be optimistic for a turnaround season, as there have been several offseason acquisitions—Rubby De La Rosa, Jeremy Hellickson and Yasmany Tomas, to name a few. Patrick Corbin and Daniel Hudson will also look to boost the rotation if they can return from injury.

But first, let's examine those who will likely be starting on Opening Day.

In order to qualify for this list, the player must currently have a spot on Arizona's 40-man roster and must be healthy.

Starting Pitcher: Josh Collmenter

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There is almost no question that Josh Collmenter will be entering the season as the D-Backs No. 1 starter. Collmenter finished 2014 with 11 wins and a 3.46 ERA—both leading the team.

The tomahawk-throwing right-hander is not going to light up the radar gun. In fact, his fastball only averages 86 mph. Still, his arm angle and his ability to change speeds with his changeup have been effective in keeping hitters off-balance at the plate.

This also takes stress off his arm, allowing him to pitch deeper into games. Expect to see Collmenter jogging out to the mound on Opening Day for the D-Backs.

Catcher: Tuffy Gosewisch

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For the first time in years, Miguel Montero will not be the D-Backs Opening Day catcher. That leaves Tuffy Gosewisch and Oscar Hernandez as the only two catchers on the 40-man roster.

GM Dave Stewart has also recently confirmed that Arizona's search for a free-agent catcher is over.

That being said, Gosewisch will likely win the starting job early on because Hernandez has never played at the big league level.

Gosewisch certainly is not the type of player Arizona would like to have behind the plate all season, as he only hit .225 with one home run in 41 games last season.

But sometimes, the best option is going with what you know. The D-Backs know what they are going to get from Gosewisch, which is why he will be out there on Opening Day.

First Base: Paul Goldschmidt

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Matt York/Associated Press

He's back.

Paul Goldschmidt, the face of the Arizona franchise, will resume first base duties this season after successfully recovering from a fractured left hand.

Goldschmidt is not far removed from the 2013 season in which he had a career-high 36 home runs and 125 RBI.

Last season he tallied 19 home runs and 69 RBI despite missing the final two months. This season, he will receive protection from two power hitters that will appear later on this list.

Expect Goldschmidt to immediately pick up where he left off last season and exceed 30 home runs and 100 RBI.

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Second Base: Aaron Hill

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The 32-year-old Aaron Hill is coming off a disappointing season in which he hit .244 with only 10 home runs.

Just two seasons ago, Hill was awarded a Silver Slugger after clubbing 26 home runs and adding 85 RBI.

Staying healthy has been the main concern for Hill in his tenure with the D-Backs. In two of his four seasons, he has failed to play 90 games.

However, he remains the best option at second base right now. His bat gives him the edge over veteran Cliff Pennington, who will likely be a utility player this season.

Expect Hill to focus on staying healthy as he begins 2015 as the primary second baseman.

Third Base: Yasmany Tomas

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Yasmany Tomas primarily played outfield throughout his career in Cuba. But the D-Backs are going to give him a shot to win the third base job in spring training.

Playing third will open up another spot in the outfield for a better offensive player to remain in the lineup.

Additionally, it is believed that playing third will help extend Tomas' longevity. Unfortunately, his track record playing third in Cuba was less than successful.

However, the organization recently praised Tomas for adjusting to life at third base.

The D-Backs finished 25th in the MLB last season in home runs. Expect Arizona to give Tomas some leeway in the field if needed in exchange for his powerful bat.

Shortstop: Chris Owings

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Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Once the MVP of the Pacific Coast League, Chris Owings' job as the Arizona shortstop is as secure as ever.

Didi Gregorius was traded to the Yankees this offseason, leaving Owings, Cliff Pennington and Nick Ahmed as the only shortstops listed on the depth chart.

Pennington will likely only be used as a spot starter because of his limited offensive potential. Ahmed is still raw and only hit .200 in 25 games last season.

Meanwhile, Owings showed potential, especially with the bat, in his rookie season. He hit .261 with six home runs in 91 games.

Owings' offense gives him the edge, which is why he will be the Opening Day shortstop in 2015.

Left Field: David Peralta

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Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2014 season, David Peralta likely has solidified a starting spot on the 2015 Opening Day roster.

Peralta tied a franchise record last season, recording seven multi-hit games, a record for a player in their first 15 games.

He finished the season hitting .286 with nine home runs and 36 RBI in 88 games. He also showcased his speed recording nine triples while also covering ground in the outfield.

As long as Tomas can win the job at third, it should open the left-field spot for Peralta, who showed he is more than capable of being a starter at the big league level.

Center Field: A.J. Pollock

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In 2014, A.J. Pollock became the center fielder D-Backs fans had been waiting for since the departure of Chris Young.

Despite playing only 75 games due to a fractured right hand, Pollock hit .302 with 32 extra-base hits, including six triples.

His defense has also been superb over the past two seasons. Prior to his injury, only Carlos Gomez had more defensive runs saved (23) since the 2013 season.

Pollock's dual-threat ability in center will keep him out there nearly every day in 2015.

Right Field: Mark Trumbo

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Mark Trumbo's 2014 season was yet another tale of injury. In April, Trumbo was sidelined with a stress fracture in his left foot.

At the time, he was only hitting .210, but was tied for the National League lead with seven home runs.

Trumbo never found his swing again after returning late in the season. Still, with a healthy Goldschmidt and Tomas surrounding his place in the order, he should receive a heavy dose of fastballs this season.

Even with his high strikeout rate, the power he possesses is vital for the D-Backs lineup. Expect to see Trumbo make a bigger impact this season with his bat, starting on Opening Day.