Brandon Webb #1 starter.
Solid ace, durable hasn't missed a start in 3 seasons.
Tough on right handed batters. Very nice strikeout ratio.
I'm looking for Webb to duplicate his 2005 effort and post 3.10 type ERA with a stingly 1.09 WH/IP.
16-8 in all 34 starts.
Randy Johnson #2 starter.
OK, he's not 30 anymore, hell, he isn't 40 anymore.
Still has some juice left in his arm.
Still can get the lefties out.
14-11 is what I'm looking for. 4.20 ERA 200 IP 175 K 1.20 WHIP seems about right.
Livian Hernandez #3 starter
Seasoned professional starter who did win 13 games last season split between two teams.
Might be the best #3 rotation guy in the majors not named Mussina.
If he makes 33 starts I'm looking for 13-13 type seaon.
4.50 ERA 1.40 WH/IP
Doug Davis #4 starter
Had a very nice September and don't see any reason why Doug can't feed off of that.
Decent lefty starter.
12-12 in 2004 11-11 in 2005 11-11 in 2006
I'm going out on a limb here, and says Davis goes 12-12 with a 4.40 ERA and a servicable 1.42 WH/IP
Edgar Gonzalez #5 starter
Only 17 career starts hard to gauge what you can get out of this Mexican if he makes 25 starts.
Bob Melvin loves him, has a big heart, getting out of jams that were not of his doing in a clutch September start against San Diego.
8-9 type season in 2007 in 24 starts, ERA of about 4.30 and a 1.33 WH/IP
Bullpen :
Jose Valverde - closer.
Not an elite closer, but can get the job done.
Nasty on righty's - not as nasty against lefties.
This could be his breakout season.
25 saves, with an upside of 31.
Jorge Julio:
Probably going to set up Valverde.
Look for him in the 7th or 8th innings about 64 times this year.
Look for him to get about 10 saves as an alternate closer.
3.90 ERA
1.33 WH/IP
Brandon Lyon:
Should appear in about 60 games.
Had 27 holds (ranked 7th in MLB) in 2006
Durable righty, can give you multiple innings.
Brandon Medders:
I like this kid, a lot !
Missed the start of '06, still pitched in 60 games.
Strikes out about one per inning.
Stingy on the walks.
Great middle inning guy
Juan Cruz:
Spot starter/long reliever
WIll eat up innings, look for 120 IP in 45 games.
Real tough on righties (.199) Must cut back on the walks.
Catcher
Chris Snyder;
Plus average throwing arm, doesn't hit for much power.
Did hit .270 last season.
Look for in 2007 : 9-40 .262 in a platoon with Montero
First base:
Connor Jackson
Will make many take notice this year
Look for 20-80 .305 type numbers
Kid reminds me of Mark Grace a lot.
Second base:
Orlando Hudson.
Switch hitting, very fast.
Will put up very nice 16-77 . 285 numbers.
Shortstop
Just very well may be the next big thing
200 At bats in his rookie year hit . Hit .317 with 5 homers.
Hits left, I'm expecting 17 homers out of him.
70 RBI's and a .290 average.
Keep an eye on this kid !
Third base:
Chad Tracy
He's another one that's just starting to make his mark.
Hit 20 HR's last season, nice lefty swing.
I'm looking for 25-30 taters with 90 driven in.
Can swipe ya a handful of bases also.
This is a very young and up and coming infield here.
OUTFIELD:
Erik Byrnes in LF.
Has pop, can hit you between 25-30 homers, drive in about 90.
WIll hit you a decent .265 or so.
Makes the plays in left.
May split time with Davanon.
Chris B. Young in CF
Major buzz going on about this kid.
Has that 'can't miss' tag on him.
Can pickit with the best of them.
Looking for 15-65 . 260 type numbers in his rookie year.
Carlos Quentin in RF
Righty swinger, will hit you about 23 homers.
Expect .270 average 81 RBI's is not out of the question.
I like his eye myself, gets on base often.
People, this is not a 76 win team.
This team has young talented offense and defense, with a solid 3 man front line in Webb, Unit and Hernandez.
This team will go 82-80 and make a run for the NL West title.
2 unit wager
Diamondbacks over 76 total wins.
Solid ace, durable hasn't missed a start in 3 seasons.
Tough on right handed batters. Very nice strikeout ratio.
I'm looking for Webb to duplicate his 2005 effort and post 3.10 type ERA with a stingly 1.09 WH/IP.
16-8 in all 34 starts.
Randy Johnson #2 starter.
OK, he's not 30 anymore, hell, he isn't 40 anymore.
Still has some juice left in his arm.
Still can get the lefties out.
14-11 is what I'm looking for. 4.20 ERA 200 IP 175 K 1.20 WHIP seems about right.
Livian Hernandez #3 starter
Seasoned professional starter who did win 13 games last season split between two teams.
Might be the best #3 rotation guy in the majors not named Mussina.
If he makes 33 starts I'm looking for 13-13 type seaon.
4.50 ERA 1.40 WH/IP
Doug Davis #4 starter
Had a very nice September and don't see any reason why Doug can't feed off of that.
Decent lefty starter.
12-12 in 2004 11-11 in 2005 11-11 in 2006
I'm going out on a limb here, and says Davis goes 12-12 with a 4.40 ERA and a servicable 1.42 WH/IP
Edgar Gonzalez #5 starter
Only 17 career starts hard to gauge what you can get out of this Mexican if he makes 25 starts.
Bob Melvin loves him, has a big heart, getting out of jams that were not of his doing in a clutch September start against San Diego.
8-9 type season in 2007 in 24 starts, ERA of about 4.30 and a 1.33 WH/IP
Bullpen :
Jose Valverde - closer.
Not an elite closer, but can get the job done.
Nasty on righty's - not as nasty against lefties.
This could be his breakout season.
25 saves, with an upside of 31.
Jorge Julio:
Probably going to set up Valverde.
Look for him in the 7th or 8th innings about 64 times this year.
Look for him to get about 10 saves as an alternate closer.
3.90 ERA
1.33 WH/IP
Brandon Lyon:
Should appear in about 60 games.
Had 27 holds (ranked 7th in MLB) in 2006
Durable righty, can give you multiple innings.
Brandon Medders:
I like this kid, a lot !
Missed the start of '06, still pitched in 60 games.
Strikes out about one per inning.
Stingy on the walks.
Great middle inning guy
Juan Cruz:
Spot starter/long reliever
WIll eat up innings, look for 120 IP in 45 games.
Real tough on righties (.199) Must cut back on the walks.
Catcher
Chris Snyder;
Plus average throwing arm, doesn't hit for much power.
Did hit .270 last season.
Look for in 2007 : 9-40 .262 in a platoon with Montero
First base:
Connor Jackson
Will make many take notice this year
Look for 20-80 .305 type numbers
Kid reminds me of Mark Grace a lot.
Second base:
Orlando Hudson.
Switch hitting, very fast.
Will put up very nice 16-77 . 285 numbers.
Shortstop
Just very well may be the next big thing
200 At bats in his rookie year hit . Hit .317 with 5 homers.
Hits left, I'm expecting 17 homers out of him.
70 RBI's and a .290 average.
Keep an eye on this kid !
Third base:
Chad Tracy
He's another one that's just starting to make his mark.
Hit 20 HR's last season, nice lefty swing.
I'm looking for 25-30 taters with 90 driven in.
Can swipe ya a handful of bases also.
This is a very young and up and coming infield here.
OUTFIELD:
Erik Byrnes in LF.
Has pop, can hit you between 25-30 homers, drive in about 90.
WIll hit you a decent .265 or so.
Makes the plays in left.
May split time with Davanon.
Chris B. Young in CF
Major buzz going on about this kid.
Has that 'can't miss' tag on him.
Can pickit with the best of them.
Looking for 15-65 . 260 type numbers in his rookie year.
Carlos Quentin in RF
Righty swinger, will hit you about 23 homers.
Expect .270 average 81 RBI's is not out of the question.
I like his eye myself, gets on base often.
People, this is not a 76 win team.
This team has young talented offense and defense, with a solid 3 man front line in Webb, Unit and Hernandez.
This team will go 82-80 and make a run for the NL West title.
2 unit wager
Diamondbacks over 76 total wins.
