The Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day game is on Thursday, April 7th! It's going to be at Chase Field as the Dbacks take on the San Diego Padres. However, we have 28 spots on this roster that need to be filled! It's been announced that Madison Bumgarner will start Opening Day. That means there are still 27 spots, not including the guys like Nick Ahmed and Josh Rojas that will start the season on the IL.
Why is the roster 28 players instead of 26? There's a simple answer for that. The lockout. Due to Spring Training being shortened and rushed, teams asked if they could include extra pitchers on the staff to manage their starter's innings early on. Not everyone is Max Scherzer and able to pitch 6 innings first start of ST. Thus, until May, teams are allowed to have 28 players and an unlimited amount of pitchers. Perhaps we see them have 28 pitchers? It's possible, but not likely. Most teams will approach 14/15 pitchers as, during the 26-man roster season, only 13 spots can go to pitchers.
Let's begin with the Projected Pitchers on the Diamondbacks Roster!
Madison Bumgarner: That's an obvious one since he's starting Opening Day.
Merrill Kelly: Fresh off that extension, he should line up to start game 2.
Luke Weaver: Might move to bullpen, but will get another shot in rotation. (Update, will start season in bullpen, Castellanos or Martin should jump into rotation).
Zac Gallen: Would push for Opening Day if not for issues at the start of ST. Might start the year on 10-day IL to finish preparing for the season and not push his arm.
Zach Davies: Recently signed to an MLB deal to be the team's #5 pitcher.
Mark Melancon: Signed to a big 2-year deal to be the team's closer.
Ian Kennedy: Signed to be the set-up man for Mark Melancon.
Caleb Smith: Long-reliever with the power to strike out tons of batters.
J.B. Wendelken: Middle reliever on fire this spring with 5.1 great innings.
Joe Mantiply: Reliable middle innings reliever returns for another go-round.
Oliver Perez: In his final MLB season, I expect him to be the lefty specialist in AZ.
Noe Ramirez: Another solid middle-innings reliever that performed well last year.
Sean Poppen: Veteran lefty that has impressed this spring with 6 shutout innings.
Humberto Castellanos: A pitcher that can start/relieve and has had an impressive spring so far with 6 innings of 1-run ball.
Merrill Kelly gets extension for how much and how long???. dark. Next
Corbin Martin: Another pitcher who can start/relieve that's a former top prospect will get his first extended big-league action.
Now, let's swing on over to the catchers and infielders!
Carson Kelly will be the starting catcher / Lachlan Cunningham/GettyImages
Now that we have done the pitchers, let's go do the infielders and catchers. This is a small group that will be tasked with keeping our defense solid behind the pitcher.
Carson Kelly: Franchise catcher gets another start in what could be a breakout year.
Jose Herrera: Beat out other catchers for the backup spot behind Kelly. Former Aces catcher.
Christian Walker: Veteran first baseman is the best they have for hitting/defense at first. He's crushing the ball so far this year with 3 doubles, 2 HRs, and 5 RBIs.
Seth Beer: Will be the backup 1st baseman and regular DH. He's crushed the ball with 4 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBIs. Contender for rookie of year?
Ketel Marte: Franchise player that just got recently extended is ready to compete for the MVP and All-Star nod this year.
Geraldo Perdomo: Will be a rookie SS replacing Ahmed due to Ahmed's injury. He might take the job forthright after a good spring with 2 doubles, 1 HR, and 6 RBIs.
Sergio Alcantara: Is on the 40-man roster and should be the utility player.
dark. Next. Dbacks just committed to a new franchise cornerstone player!
Drew Ellis: Replaces Rojas as 3rd Baseman, though he was just sent down a couple days, I expect we call him right back up.
Now, let's take a look at the outfielders! Will there be any surprises?
Jake McCarthy Sliding into a roster spot? / Christian Petersen/GettyImages
We have 23 players out of 28 so far with 5 spots going to the team's outfielders in this Dbacks Roster prediction!
David Peralta: Longtime stalwart out in LF continues his stay manning the outfield for the Dbacks with a new and improved swing too.
Daulton Varsho: I could've listed Varsho as a catcher too since he will be there too, but he should be the team's everyday CF until further notice.
Pavin Smith: Making the full-time switch from 1st to RF, for now, this year. Has had a great spring with 1 double, HR, and 4 RBIs.
Jake McCarthy: He can play all three spots on the OF while providing great speed. He's replacing Jordan Luplow while he's out.
Next. Meet the team's excellent top-3 prospects!. dark
Cooper Hummel: Acquired in the Esco trade, Hummel can play left or right and switch hits giving the team a badly-needed RH bat. He has a HR, 3 RBIs, 7 walks, and only 3 Ks.
There you have it, the Dbacks roster as I predict will be come Opening Day. Be sure to check often for more articles and features!
