SS Geraldo Perdomo
Geraldo would probably be the first to tell you that he didn’t have an ideal year at the dish in 2022. Over the course of 148 games, Perdomo recorded 40 RBIs which isn’t too bad but his other numbers were, well, bad. Perdomo finished the season with a .195 AVG, a .285 OBP, and a .262 slugging percentage. Pitchers had to be licking their chops when Geraldo stepped into the box…
Here’s the thing about Perdomo, he is young. He played the entire 22’ season as a 22-year-old. The more reps this kid gets, the more he will shine. Take his minor league career for example. In his first year in the minors in 2018, Perdomo slashed .322/.438/.460 for an OPS of .898 over the course of 57 games. In his next minor league season (2019), he got on base at a .397 clip over the course of 116 games. In his last season in the minors (2021), he walked in 16% of his at-bats. Perdomo is no stranger to being an effective bat in the lineup and with an already above-average glove in the field, Perdomo might surprise us in 2023…
IF Emmanuel Rivera
Emmanuel Rivera is no doubt, a talented player. In 39 games with the D-backs a season ago, he posted a 7 OAA (Outs Above Average) at 3B which would rank him in the top 10 in all of baseball. Rivera also had a solid season at the plate, but don’t go looking for his name at the top of the leaderboard in any offensive category because you won't find it…
Don’t get me wrong, when the D-backs traded for Rivera, they weren’t expecting Nolan Arenado numbers from him or anything like that. What Rivera provides is vital to the future success of the Diamondbacks; a key bench bat and glove. Rivera can play 3B and 1B but does a lot better at the hot corner. In 39 games with Arizona last season, Rivera hit 6 HRs, 18 RBIs, and recorded a .728 OPS. Those are impressive numbers for someone who will be coming off the bench. Don’t be surprised if his numbers are even better in 23’. In his debut season in KC, Rivera recorded a .649 OPS in 29 games. He then followed that up the next season with a .683 OPS in 63 games. He then followed that up with a .728 OPS in 39 games with Arizona. Rivera continues to improve. The Diamondbacks must feel fortunate that they have him because he could truthfully start for any MLB team in need of an everyday third baseman…
OF Jake McCarthy
Don’t misunderstand me, Jake McCarthy has already proven himself. In 64 games after the all-star break last season, Jake the snake hit .300 and got on base at a .360 rate. He also drove in 34 runs, scored 35 times, and stole 21 bases…
What I mean by Jake surprising us is that he might be better than we are thinking he can be. In his last season in the minors (2022), McCarthy went bananas. In 36 games, McCarthy hit 5 HRs, 27 RBIs, and recorded an OPS of 1.053. These numbers along with Jake’s superb second half of the season with Arizona should indicate that he might become an elite hitter in the bigs. Like Perdomo, the more reps the better, and Jake might surprise all of us in 2023…