Starting Nine Update: National League West

Last but not least in our National League Starting Nine series is the National League West. Usually known as the worst offensive division in baseball, the NL West has improved offensively this offseason.

The San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks have added offensive pieces this offseason and as long as the young Colorado Rockies hitters continue to improve, they will always be dangerous.

Here are the lineups for each team in the National League West as presently constructed today.

Colorado Rockies

1. Carlos Gonzalez, LF

2. Dexter Fowler, CF

3. Todd Helton, 1B

4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS

5. Brad Hawpe, RF

6. Ian Stewart, 3B

7. Chris Iannetta, C

8. Clint Barmes, 2B

9. Ubaldo Jimenez, P

Quick Take—This lineup is the class of the NL West. This lineup has everything you want—speed, power, and patience. Carlos Gonzalez moves into the leadoff spot with Fowler sliding down to the two-hole.

San Francisco Giants

1. Aaron Rowand, CF

2. Edgar Renteria, SS

3. Pablo Sandoval, 3B

4. Aubrey Huff, 1B

5. Bengie Molina, C

6. Mark DeRosa, LF

7. Juan Uribe, 2B

8. Nate Schierholtz, RF

9. Tim Lincecum, P

Quick Take—It’s hard to make up a lineup when every guy in that lineup is the same. This lineup has very little power, very little speed, and not a single person that scares an opposing pitcher. With Freddy Sanchez out, Aaron Rowand could move into the leadoff spot.

Los Angeles Dodgers

1. Rafael Furcal, SS

2. James Loney, 1B

3. Manny Ramirez, LF

4. Matt Kemp, CF

5. Andre Ethier, RF

6. Casey Blake, 3B

7. Russell Martin, C

8. Blake DeWitt, 2B

9. Vicente Padilla, P

Quick Take—I originally had Ethier in the two-hole and Loney in the six-hole like the Dodgers had in the NLCS last year. I didn’t like that lineup then, and I don’t like it now. Ethier is better served in a RBI position in the lineup. Russell Martin should be ready for Opening Day.

Arizona Diamondbacks

1. Stephen Drew, SS

2. Conor Jackson, LF

3. Justin Upton, RF

4. Adam LaRoche, 1B

5. Mark Reynolds, 3B

6. Miguel Montero, C

7. Chris Young, CF

8. Kelly Johnson, 2B

9. Dan Haren, P

Quick Take—With the addition of LaRoche and a healthy Jackson, this lineup all of a sudden looks very deep. Upton is only getting better and he will be an MVP candidate in 2010. There is a chance that Jackson and Drew could flip-flop at the top of the order.

San Diego Padres

1. Everth Cabrera, SS

2. David Eckstein, 2B

3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B

4. Kyle Blanks, lF

5. Chase Headley, 3B

6. Nick Hundley, C

7. Will Venable, RF

8. Tony Gwynn, CF

9. Chris Young, P

Quick Take—Kevin Kouzmanoff was traded to the Oakland A’s, so now there is zero reason to pitch to A. Gonzalez in 2010. With Kouzmanoff gone, this is a big year for Headley. Look for Scott Hairston to platoon with Gwynn in center.

Well that’s it for my updated Starting Nine series for the National League. I will dive in head first into the American League tomorrow.

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