Inside The Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Need the Most Depth in These 3 Areas

The Arizona Diamondbacks are lacking in depth in a few areas.
Sep 26, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Andrew Saalfrank (27) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Sep 26, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Andrew Saalfrank (27) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images

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Top-end talent is crucial to winning and contending in major league baseball, but navigating a 162-game marathon of a season requires depth, more than anything else. The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2025 season stands as a stark reminder of this fact.

While the D-backs were able to benefit from some exceptional surprises with regard to their young, up-and-coming group of players, Arizona still lost a large chunk of its roster this past season, both to injury and trade.

While some areas do have a relatively deep pool of talent below the obvious starters, there are also areas in which Arizona should look to add, both to the top of the depth chart, and below.

Below are three areas that need the most depth:

1: Diamondbacks' Starting Rotation

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson
Sep 13, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson (19) throws to the Minnesota Twins in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images | Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

One of the more obvious answers, the D-backs do not have much in terms of depth, rotationally speaking.

While the eventual return of Corbin Burnes should aid the starting rotation, Arizona has mostly question marks behind surging right-hander Ryne Nelson.

Related Content: Shocking Stat Proves Just How Good Ryne Nelson Was in 2025

Brandon Pfaadt and Eduardo Rodriguez are major league arms, but have both been inconsistent, posting disappointing results in 2025. Below those three arms, there's no clear-cut answer as to who will fill out the rest of the rotation.

There are some minor league options available, but none that stand out as being major-league ready (or productive enough in their MLB action to take on a larger role).

Related Content: D-backs' Internal Rotation Depth Presents Major Concern

If Arizona does not choose to reunite with Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly, they'll need to add at least two arms to feel good about the rotation, and even then, there's little behind those five starters if more injury occurs.

2: Diamondbacks' Bullpen

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jalen Beeks
Sep 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jalen Beeks (68) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images | Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Another relatively obvious need, the D-backs are down to a very thin group of relievers. They'll eventually see the return of both Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk, but their effectiveness and range of availability is unknown for now.

Arizona does, most certainly, need to add multiple leverage arms, but their depth is in question beyond their top arms.

The question surrounding the bullpen, more so, is if young relievers like Andrew Hoffmann, Brandyn Garcia and even Andrew Saalfrank can step provide that depth at a consistent level in 2025.

Related: Exciting Reliever's Development Could be Massive For D-backs

If they do, the depth problem would be solved by merely adding some arms to the top of the bullpen depth chart. If not, the D-backs need to keep mining for relievers.

3: Diamondbacks' (right-handed) Outfield

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jorge Barrosa
Sep 16, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jorge Barrosa against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Diamondbacks have plenty of major league caliber outfielders, but there's not much pop outside of Corbin Carroll, and the primary trio of Carroll, Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas is all left-handed.

The right-handed hitting options are quite thin, after Randal Grichuk was traded and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. suffered a torn ACL.

Jorge Barrosa is a switch-hitter, but not an impact bat. Tim Tawa and Blaze Alexander can both play the outfield, but neither are primary outfielders.

Arizona may opt to give Alexander and Tawa more run in the outfield, or may even turn to Jordan Lawlar to take some reps out there. But the D-backs likely need a right-handed hitting outfielder this offseason — one that hopefully brings a little bit of power.

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Alex D'Agostino
ALEX D'AGOSTINO

Born and raised in the desert, Alex D'Agostino is a lifelong follower of Arizona sports. Alex writes for Arizona Diamondbacks ON SI and also Arizona Cardinals ON SI. He previously covered the Diamondbacks for FanSided's VenomStrikes. Follow Alex on Twitter @AlexDagAZ

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