2 Arizona Diamondbacks

ENEMY LINES

A rival scout sizes up the Diamondbacks

They got off to a slow start in the Cactus League. I shouldn't put a lot of stock in spring training results, but I don't like them to repeat. I like the Giants and the Rockies better.... They've got questions all over their infield. They think Ryan Roberts is going to be their every-day third baseman, but he's better suited to a superutility role. He's got some pop, but I think it was a career year last year.... The bigger concern is their shortstop situation. Stephen Drew doesn't look like he's going to start the year healthy. I'm hearing rumblings that they might package Gerardo Parra and Willie Bloomquist for an upgrade at short, which tells me there are some long-term concerns with Drew's recovery from his broken ankle.... Justin Upton is going to continue to be their impact guy. Do I ever think he's going to hit for a huge average? No, because he needs to learn to lay off the breaking stuff he can't handle. When he gets in good hitting counts, he's very dangerous.... Their pitching will keep them in the hunt. It's going to be tough for Ian Kennedy to replicate his 2011, winning more than 20 games. His stuff isn't lights-out, but his fastball command is as good as there is in the game. He commands all four quadrants and has a four-pitch mix.... With Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Trevor Cahill and Joe Saunders, their rotation looks like a strength. Maybe not a lot of frontline guys, but a lot of quality guys, quality innings.... With Trevor Bauer and Tyler Skaggs, they've got a couple of real high-upside starting pitchers who are close. It wouldn't surprise me to see Bauer up soon.

THE LINEUP

With 2011 Statistics

MANAGER KIRK GIBSON

3rd season with Diamondbacks

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

NEW ACQUISITION