Complete Arizona Diamondbacks 2015 Season Preview

The Arizona Diamondbacks enter the 2015 season looking to rebound after finishing last season with the worst record in baseball (64-98).

So far in spring training, all signs point to an improved season. Through Friday, the D-Backs have the fourth-best record in the Cactus League at 11-7.

With several players returning from significant injuries suffered last season, the lineup looks strong. The pitching, however, looks to be thin entering 2015.

The NL West also should be ultra-competitive this season with the defending champion Giants, the Dodgers and a new-look Padres team.

Here is a complete preview of the Diamondbacks' 2015 campaign.

All statistics are courtesy of Baseball-Reference unless otherwise noted.

Spring Training Recap

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Several offseason moves highlighted this winter made headlines over in Arizona. The signing of Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas was the most significant one. 

Still, there were a few underrated moves as well. Acquiring the right-hander Jeremy Hellickson from the Rays should help boost a rotation that needed another established starter.

Young pitchers Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster were also acquired from the Red Sox this winter in an attempt to add "power arms," according to general manager Dave Stewart.

So far in spring training, the acquisitions have struggled. Tomas is hitting .214 with only one home run. 

Hellickson is 2-1 with a 5.87 ERA. Webster's ERA sits at 6.48. De La Rosa's control has been an issue, walking 10 while striking out 11 batters in 12 innings pitched.

The success of these acquisitions will likely determine which direction the D-Backs will head this year.

Meanwhile, the returning starters have impressed. A.J. Pollock, Mark Trumbo, David Peralta, Ender Inciarte and Tuffy Gosewisch are all hitting above .300 through Friday. Paul Goldschmidt is not far behind at .296.

The way Arizona's offense has been putting up runs, it will be up to the pitching to pull its weight. Opening Day starter Josh Collmenter has been solid thus far, throwing six scoreless innings.

But with the rotation still a question mark heading into the season, it is critical that Stewart and manager Chip Hale find a way to limit the opposition considering how well the offense is clicking.

Injury Updates Entering Opening Day

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With Paul Goldschmidt, Mark Trumbo and A.J. Pollock all healthy entering 2015, the focus for D-Backs fans is likely on ace Patrick Corbin.

Corbin underwent Tommy John surgery last season and is expected miss at least the first two months of this season. Getting Corbin back is vital for the rotation, as he carried the D-Backs in 2013, finishing the season 14-8.

Closer Addison Reed has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but he insists he is 100 percent healthy. Also in the bullpen, middle relievers Matt Reynolds (elbow) and Brad Ziegler (knee) have made several appearances this spring, clearing them for the beginning of the season. David Hernandez (Tommy John) is targeting a return in May.

Considering how badly the injury bug bit Arizona in 2014, fans must feel fortunate knowing that the D-Backs lineup looks healthy and strong. Once Corbin can return, it should add an ace to the rotation and possibly jump-start the team into making a late-season run.

Lineup Preview

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Projected Lineup

1. A.J. Pollock, CF
2. David Peralta, LF
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Mark Trumbo, RF
5. Yasmany Tomas, 3B
6. Chris Owings, SS
7. Brandon Drury, 2B
8. Tuffy Gosewisch, C
9. Pitcher's spot

Bench

• Cliff Pennington, INF
• Aaron Hill, 2B
• Ender Inciarte, OF
• Peter O'Brien, C

The D-Backs lineup remains similar to what was projected before spring training began. However, the emergence of Brandon Drury could send Aaron Hill to the bench. Drury has been sensational hitting .435 with three home runs and 10 RBI.

Tuffy Gosewisch will likely remain the starting catcher to open the season based on Peter O'Brien's recent struggles. Gosewisch is hitting .320 with three RBI while O'Brien is now at .231.

Watch out for Ender Inciarte. He is hitting .424 and has stolen three bases thus far. If he doesn't win a starting spot later in the season, he will be relied upon coming off the bench in late-game situations.

Rotation Preview

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Projected Starting Rotation

1. Josh Collmenter, RHP
2. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP
3. Chase Anderson, RHP
4. Rubby De La Rosa, RHP
5. Robbie Ray, LHP

The starting rotation is where the D-Backs could struggle this year. Without Corbin to begin the season, Collmenter will take the ball on Opening Day. The tomahawk-throwing righty has been good this spring after finishing last season with 11 wins and a 3.46 ERA.

Hellickson and Anderson will follow Collmenter. Anderson is 1-0 this spring with a 2.08 ERA in 8.2 innings pitched and will look to build off an impressive rookie season.

De La Rosa looks to have a spot in the rotation because he is simply a flamethrower. With a fastball that can reach close to 100 mph, the D-Backs will have to live with his wildness. The sooner De La Rosa is inserted into the rotation, the sooner he will be able to mature and contribute every fifth day.

The final spot in the rotation was expected to be Vidal Nuno before the spring started. But Nuno has struggled, giving up seven runs in only seven innings pitched. Meanwhile, Robbie Ray had a solid outing last week, giving up only one run in four innings. He gave up three hits and only walked one as his fastball reached up to 96 mph.

With Wade Miley gone, it is important for Arizona to develop Ray earlier than later as he is the only left-hander in this projected rotation.

Bullpen Preview

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Projected Bullpen

• Addison Reed, CL
• Brad Ziegler, SU
• Evan Marshall, SU
• Matt Stites, SU
• Oliver Perez, MID
• Matt Reynolds, MID

The D-Backs bullpen has been shaky over the past two seasons. Closer Addison Reed blew six saves in his first season in Arizona. The problem was the long ball, as he surrendered 11 home runs. Reed's shoulder has also been giving him problems, but he insists he is healthy. Reed will need to keep the ball in the park if he wants to continue to close out games for the Snakes.

Ziegler, Marshall and Stites will return to their setup roles, where they were solid last season. Ziegler has been nursing a knee injury but has seen some action this spring and looks ready to go. The return of David Hernandez likely in May will add another powerful arm to the back end of the bullpen.

Lefties Perez and Reynolds will be used in specialized situations. Both were effective in the past two seasons. Perez struck out 76 batters in 58.2 innings while limited his ERA to 2.91. Reynolds sported a 1.98 ERA in his last season with Arizona in 2013.

Prospects to Watch

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Jake Lamb, 3B

The third base prospect saw some time last season in the desert hitting .230 with four home runs in 37 games.

This spring has been an improvement for the 24-year-old. Lamb is hitting .281 with six extra-base hits, including two home runs.

The problem for Lamb will be finding some playing time. With Yasmany Tomas projected to play third base as of now, Lamb will have trouble displacing him unless Tomas struggles in the field. Even so, the hottest D-Back, Brandon Drury, can also play third base.

Braden Shipley, RHP

Drafted in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft, Shipley has a lot to live up to. He struggled in 2013, but he bounced back last season, combining to go 7-8 with a 3.86 ERA. He finished the season at Double-A.

With a plus changeup to go along with his mid-to-upper-90s fastball, Shipley has the potential to enter the rotation if the time is right.

This spring, Shipley has been impressive in limited work, throwing four innings and surrendering only one run with two strikeouts. If he builds off last season's success, the right-hander could make an impact especially in a season in which the rotation is thin.

Archie Bradley, RHP

Bradley has not lived up to the hype after being drafted seventh overall in the 2011 MLB draft. He squandered an opportunity to win a spot in the rotation in spring training last year despite being heralded as the organization's top prospect. 

This spring, Bradley has looked much better, as he currently has a 3.68 ERA through 7.1 innings.

Just like Shipley, if there's a time when Bradley can contribute, it is now. The rotation is loaded with other young arms that could falter at any point. If so, Bradley had better be ready. D-Backs fans are likely getting impatient with the young prospect.

Breakout Candidate

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One of last year's biggest surprises will be this season's breakout player.

After setting a franchise record with 60 hits in his first 50 games, David Peralta has picked up where he left off last season.

Through Friday, he is hitting .414 with five RBI and only two strikeouts (29 at-bats). Considering his 6'2" and 215-pound frame, Peralta has deceptive speed. Last season, he hit nine triples and stole six bases in only 88 games. 

His speed has also allowed him to cover a ton of ground out in left field, where he has excelled defensively. 

Peralta should open the season in left field and in the No. 2 hole in the order. This will help set the table for the "big three" of Goldschmidt, Trumbo and Tomas. 

Top Keys to Success

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It's going to be tough for Arizona to make the playoffs coming off an MLB-worst 64-98 record last season. But there are several areas that can help the D-Backs improve and make a playoff push.

First, the pitching must overachieve this season. With the No. 1 pitcher being Josh Collmenter, the starting rotation will not be intimidating any team in particular. However, there are young arms such as Chase Anderson and Rubby De La Rosa who can get the job done.

Anderson won his first five starts last season in his rookie year. There is reason to believe he can be a solid No. 3 starter, despite his unknown status. De La Rosa throws harder than any starter on the team. If he can fix his control problems, the D-Backs will have another solid starter alongside Collmenter, Hellickson and Anderson.

There are also young prospects such as Archie Bradley, Braden Shipley and Aaron Blair that can be called up at any time.

Second, the young players must blossom sooner than expected. Players such as Brandon Drury, Socrates Brito and the three aforementioned pitching prospects have a unique opportunity to contribute at the big league level earlier than most. 

Considering the D-Backs are in more of a rebuilding season, management will be more likely to bring up young players to see how they can perform for the future. If these players can come up and make an impact sooner than later, the D-Backs will certainly improve off last year's abysmal record.

Lastly, the lineup must produce a ton of runs. With A.J. Pollock, David Peralta, Paul Goldschmidt, Mark Trumbo and Yasmany Tomas likely the top five hitters, there is reason to believe Arizona can be an offensive juggernaut. 

Scoring runs will be vital this season with the starting rotation not as strong as past years. 

2014 Arizona Diamondbacks Season Outlook

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Let's face it: The Arizona Diamondbacks are not going to go "from last to first" in 2015. 

But a bounce-back season may be in store. With players like Paul Goldschmidt, Mark Trumbo and A.J. Pollock returning from injury, the lineup should be at full strength.

And although the rotation won't be a powerful one, the return of Patrick Corbin should certainly give it a boost. 

With the defending champs, the Dodgers and the new-look Padres team in the division, a division championship also remains unlikely. Even the lowly Rockies can score 10-plus runs on any given day.

This season, the D-Backs should focus on winning at least 10-20 more games than last season while avoiding a last-place finish in the division.

They have the talent and the young prospects to make some noise in the National League. If you're shaking your head at this proposition, just take a look at the standings in the Cactus League this spring. Only two teams have a better run differential than Arizona at plus-16, and only the Royals, Dodgers and Athletics have better records.

And with new manager Chip Hale and Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa calling the shots, the D-Backs look to be heading in a winning direction.

2015 Prediction: 82-80, third place in the NL West