Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Roster Report: Infielders

THIRD BASE

Sep 23, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Martin Prado (14) prior to the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Starter – Martin Prado
Backup – Eric Chavez

Prado came over in the deal that sent Justin Upton and Chris Johnson to the Atlanta Braves before the 2013 season and I loved it then and love it now. Prado can play five different positions and is the kind of hitter they badly needed — someone who makes a lot of contact. Prado hit .282 with 14 home runs and 82 runs batted in, walking 47 times and striking out just 53. He puts the ball in play and good things happen around him.

Defensively, Prado put up a .978 fielding percentage at the hot corner, where the league average is .958. He’ll probably never get Gold Glove consideration, but he’s solid and won’t hurt the team no matter where he is defensively.

Chavez will bring a much needed veteran presence to the clubhouse and can provide support defensively at both corner spots. As a lefty, he’ll also provide some situational power off the bench. Last season, he hit .281 with nine home runs and 44 runs batted in.