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Diamondbacks: Predicting Opening Day Lineup

By Brendan Kennealy

Mar 14, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws the ball in the first inning during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws the ball in the first inning during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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Infielders:

Jul 27, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) and third baseman Jake Lamb (19) bump gloves following the final out of a 4-3, 10-inning victory against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) and third baseman Jake Lamb (19) bump gloves following the final out of a 4-3, 10-inning victory against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

First Base: Paul Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt will be the center-piece of the Diamondbacks lineup yet again. Goldschmidt is entering his age 28 season and the Diamondbacks front office certainly went all-in this offseason to help bolster the roster during the prime of Goldschmidt’s career. Goldschmidt hit .321 with a .435 on-base percentage last year, while smashing 33 bombs and knocking in 110 runs. He was one of just two players (Manny Machado) to hit 30+ home runs and steal 20+ bases, as Goldschmidt stole 21 bases last year.

Second Base: Jean Segura

Another acquisition in the offseason was that of Segura. Segura came to the Diamondbacks from the Milwaukee Brewers. Segura, 26, was a National League All-Star in 2013 when he hit .294/.329/.423 with 12 home runs, 49 RBI, and 44 stolen bases. However, the past two seasons he has combined for a .252/.285/.331 clip with 11 home runs, 81 RBI, and 45 stolen bases in 288 games. He will only be making $2.6 million this year for Arizona and will be a great stolen-base threat on the base paths.

Third Base: Jake Lamb

Lamb emerged onto the MLB scene two years ago, but made 107 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2016. Lamb started off the season hot, but eventually cooled off as the season progressed. His slash line ended up at .263/.331/.386 and he hit six home runs and finished with 34 RBI. His range factor per nine innings ranked at 2nd in the National League however as he played tremendous defense all year.

Short Stop: Nick Ahmed

Speaking of tremendous defense, Ahmed is also a spectacular defender. Lamb and Ahmed make up one of the better defensive tandems in the National League on the left side of the diamond. Ahmed’s bat may have never come around last year as he hit just .226 and had an OBP of .276, but his glove flashed time and time again. His range factor per nine innings was the best in the National League and his overall defensive WAR ranked 3rd in the National League among all defensive positions.

Next: Outfielders

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