Diamondbacks: 2015 Starting Rotation Preview

1. Josh Collmenter

Sep 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher

(55) pitches in the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Collmenter is coming off of an 11-9 2014 campaign in which he posted a 3.46 ERA. He was the most consistent member of the Diamondbacks’ rotation last year in his first full year as a starter. In four big league seasons, Collmenter has racked up a 31-27 record with a career 3.42 ERA. He has yet to finish a season with a winning percentage under .500 and will head the Diamondbacks’ staff until Patrick Corbin returns from his elbow injury.

2. Jeremy Hellickson

Sep 25, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher

(58) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Diamondbacks went out and acquired Jeremy Hellickson from the Tampa Bay Rays in mid-November in exchange for two prospects. Just like most of the Diamondbacks’ pitchers Hellickson has some injury history however. Hellickson underwent elbow surgery prior to the 2014 season and went on to just start 13 games last year. In his career he posts a 40-36 mark with a 3.78 career ERA. The acquisition of Hellickson will definitely help solidify the starting rotation during the Summer months.

3. Chase Anderson

September 6, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher

(57) pitches the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Anderson finished with a 9-7 record and a 4.01 ERA in his rookie season last year in just 21 starts. Anderson has a high ceiling entering the 2015 season and could see his win total range from 12-15 depending on how much run support the offense can provide and if the bullpen can hold onto leads for him. In fact, last year the bullpen blew two leads that if they hadn’t given up, Anderson would have walked away with the victory. Anderson may slide to the fourth or fifth starter when some bigger name guys return from injury, but he will be a formidable late rotation piece.

4. Vidal Nuno

Sep 24, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher

(54) pitches in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vidal Nuno was acquired mid-way through the 2014 season from the New York Yankees. The Diamondbacks were already out of playoff contention when they traded for Nuno. In 14 starts for Arizona last year, he put up a 0-7 record, but on the bright side he did have a 3.76 ERA. He struck out 69 batters in 83.2 innings and also had a low WHIP at 1.088. If the offense can be more consistent this year Nuno, like Anderson, will have a much more appealing record in 2015.

5. Trevor Cahill

Sep 26, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher

(35) throws in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Cahill enjoyed early success in his career as a member of the Oakland Athletics, but since he moved to the Diamondbacks in 2012 he has gone a measly 24-34 with a 4.29 ERA. He hit rock bottom last year with a 3-12 mark with a 5.61 ERA in 17 starts before being moved to the bullpen. Do to the injury-bug, Cahill will most likely enter the new season as the final leg of the rotation, but if his competition performs well in spring training the 26-year-old could find himself with a bullpen role once more.

Dark Horse: Archie Bradley

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; USA pitcher

throws a pitch in the 3rd inning of the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Diamondbacks’ first round (seventh overall) pick in the 2011 Amateur Draft was rated the No. 9 prospect entering the 2014 season. The 6-4, 235 pound righty has put up great numbers in the minor leagues as he has gone 29-18 with a 3.14 ERA. Even more impressive than the low ERA is that he has struck out 393 batters in just 373 innings (9.5 strikeouts per nine innings). Arizona will likely call up the top prospect at some point this year. Depending on how he does in spring training Bradley could start the season on the big league club.

Injured: Patrick Corbin, Bronson Arroyo

Sep 22, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Once Patrick Corbin and Bronson Arroyo return from their respective injuries, the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff will be up there amongst the leaders in the National League West. Corbin pitched phenomenally in his first full season in 2013 when he went 14-8 with a 3.41 ERA. Additionally he struck out 178 batters in just over 200 innings. The southpaw missed the entire 2014 season and will not return until June of the 2015 season, according to Arizona Diamondbacks beat writer Jack Magruder:

Arroyo will be set to return early in the season.If his back is feeling better during spring training he could be a member of the rotation when the season opens. Before last year Arroyo had pitched at least 199 innings in nine straight years. He was only able to start 14 games last year, but was effective as he went 7-4 with a 4.08 ERA.

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