Projecting the Diamondbacks 2024 Opening Day Roster
Spring Training officially begins tomorrow, when pitchers and catchers officially report to Salt River Fields. Over the course of the next six weeks, the roster will be cut down from 66 players (40-man roster plus 26 non-roster invitees) down to 26 for Opening Day.
Earlier this month, we profiled six intriguing camp battles that could shape the roster. Each camp battle article made the case for each player in the competition and the likely winner. After picking the winner of each camp battle, this is our projected Opening Day roster at Inside the Diamondbacks, assuming no unforeseen injuries, free agent signings or trades change the dynamics.
Starting Rotation (5): Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodríguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Tommy Henry
The fifth starter spot was the main camp battle highlighted with the rotation, with Henry beating out Ryne Nelson. Based on comments from general manager Mike Hazen, 2023 performance could factor and he named Henry first when discussing the competition.
This starting rotation combination gives Arizona three right-handers and two left-handers. Assuming it stays intact for much of the season, that means every series will feature a left-handed starter. Gallen, Kelly, and Rodríguez are expected to carry much of the load in the rotation while Pfaadt and Henry grow comfortable with experience. Gallen will likely make his second straight Opening Day start. When he does, he'll join Randy Johnson (6), Brandon Webb (4), Ian Kennedy (3), Madison Bumgarner (3), and Zack Greinke (2) as the D-backs pitchers who made multiple Opening Day starts in franchise history.
Pfaadt will be the X-factor of this rotation, as a former top prospect who got better each time he was called up to the big leagues. He started three critical postseason games and gave his team a chance to win in all three. His game is predicated on attacking hitters horizontally with his sinker and sweeper, but it will be the development of his 4-seam fastball and changeup that could determine his eventual ceiling.
Slade Cecconi, Blake Walston, and Bryce Jarvis will be available in the minor leagues as extra depth throughout the season.
Bullpen (8): Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson, Joe Mantiply, Miguel Castro, Scott McGough, Andrew Saalfrank, Ryne Nelson
Six of the eight spots have already been accounted for entering camp. We're making the assumption that the final two spots will go to a second lefty and a long reliever. Saalfrank's upside and superior contact profile edged out Kyle Nelson for the second lefty spot and the need for a guy who eats innings in the bullpen puts Nelson ahead of Luis Frías and Corbin Martin.
Sewald will be the D-backs closer in 2024, while Kevin Ginkel takes on the role of primary setup man. For middle relief and setup, the team can mix and match between Thompson, Mantiply, Castro, Saalfrank, and McGough based on availability.
Martin, Frías, Kyle Nelson, Justin Martinez, and Brandon Hughes would serve as additional minor league depth. Hughes would have to be added to the 40-man roster, but does have a short track record of success two seasons ago. All four pitchers have options remaining, so they can move them up and down.
In the original version of the article it was assumed that Frías did not have options, as he had his initial three used up in the 2021-2023 seasons. However he qualifies for the special fourth option year, so the D-backs can send him down to the minor leagues for one more season.
Catchers (2): Gabriel Moreno, Tucker Barnhart
Moreno is expected to get anywhere from 110 to 120 starts if healthy, but the catcher position is questionable after him. In the backup catcher battle, the veteran Barnhart beats out Herrera due to superior framing skills and better game calling. Throw in familiarity with key offseason signing Eduardo Rodríguez, and Barnhart should get the call to back up Moreno.
Catcher depth will be important, as both Barnhart and Herrera have put up anemic batting lines the past two years. Herrera can be optioned for one more season and serves as a stopgap for some of the organization's prospects at the position to develop. Adrian Del Castillo could see time during the season.
Infielders (6): Christian Walker, Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, Eugenio Suárez, Emmanuel Rivera, Kevin Newman
The D-backs plan to heavily ride an infield of Walker, Marte, Perdomo and Suárez. Rivera beats out Peterson for the backup third base spot, with the latter struggling in 2023 and the organization having more depth in their middle infield. Kevin Newman would be the primary backup to both middle infield spots after edging out top prospect Jordan Lawlar and Peterson for the backup middle infielder role.
Arizona doesn't have much depth on the infield, although Blaze Alexander, Tristin English, and minor league signing Andres Chaparro join Lawlar as the likely starting infield for Triple-A Reno. Slugging prospect Ivan Melendez is a bit further behind than the four, but could get his feet wet if he has a good season.
Outfielders (4): Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jake McCarthy
As it stands right now, the D-backs will likely roll with this outfield combination. McCarthy edges out Jorge Barrosa for the fourth outfielder job, unless the team signs one of the three right-handed bats they're linked to. Given the fact that Arizona peddled McCarthy in trade talks while simultaneously balking at any proposal involving Thomas suggests the latter has a stronger standing on the roster in both the short and long term.
Gurriel will be one of four right-handed bats that I think could start 10+ games as the designated hitter vs. lefties along with Suárez, Rivera, and Moreno with the current roster. If they sign another outfielder, then that player could see time there. Gurriel started 50 games at DH last season.
Designated Hitter (1): Joc Pederson
The D-backs signed Pederson to provide some left-handed thump to their lineup behind Carroll and Marte. Pederson slides into the cleanup spot vs. right-handed pitchers, but will see fewer opportunities vs. lefties. Facing a righty for likely 110 starts out of the season, he'll get plenty of plate appearances to prove his worth.
The D-backs really don't have another left-handed bat in their system that can provide any impact, with Pavin Smith as the only available option in the minor leagues. The former first rounder has a strong batting eye, but lacks impact with his bat. He has value as a replacement with an OBP-driven batting line. However the lack of power is the reason why Arizona went out and got Pederson in the first place.
