Predicting The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

By Brad Faber

After a solid third-place finish in the NL West in 2015, the Arizona Diamondbacks have had an exciting winter and may very well be primed to compete this coming season. Here is an early prediction of what the D-Backs’ opening day lineup might look like.

Predicting The Arizona Diamondbacks\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup
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1. A.J. Pollock, CF

A.J. Pollock, CF Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
After hitting an impressive .315/.367/.498 with 20 homers last season, A.J. Pollock should be a force at the top of the D-Backs' lineup once again. Pollock's 6.6 fWAR also ranked fourth among all MLB outfielders last season.

1. A.J. Pollock, CF

After hitting an impressive .315/.367/.498 with 20 homers last season, A.J. Pollock should be a force at the top of the D-Backs' lineup once again. Pollock's 6.6 fWAR also ranked fourth among all MLB outfielders last season.

2. David Peralta, RF

David Peralta, RF Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Fresh off of a season in which he hit a rock-solid .312/.371/.522 with 17 homers, David Peralta should solidify a corner outfield spot once again. Peralta's .893 OPS ranked fifth among all qualified MLB outfielders in 2015.

2. David Peralta, RF

Fresh off of a season in which he hit a rock-solid .312/.371/.522 with 17 homers, David Peralta should solidify a corner outfield spot once again. Peralta's .893 OPS ranked fifth among all qualified MLB outfielders in 2015.

3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
After another monster season in which he hit .321/.435/.570 with 33 home runs, Paul Goldschmidt is now considered by many to be one of the best hitters in the game. Goldschmidt finished second in the NL MVP voting last year.

3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

After another monster season in which he hit .321/.435/.570 with 33 home runs, Paul Goldschmidt is now considered by many to be one of the best hitters in the game. Goldschmidt finished second in the NL MVP voting last year.

4. Yasmany Tomas, LF

Yasmany Tomas, LF Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
In his first season stateside, Yasmany Tomas hit a solid .273/.305/.401 with nine homers, but he should have to potential to do much, much more. Tomas was a .290/.345/.504 hitter throughout his career in Cuba.

4. Yasmany Tomas, LF

In his first season stateside, Yasmany Tomas hit a solid .273/.305/.401 with nine homers, but he should have to potential to do much, much more. Tomas was a .290/.345/.504 hitter throughout his career in Cuba.

5. Jake Lamb, 3B

Jake Lamb, 3B Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
After hitting a solid .263/.331/.386 with six homers last season, Jake Lamb could be primed to build on his success. Lamb was a .321/.408/.552 hitter over his minor league career.

5. Jake Lamb, 3B

After hitting a solid .263/.331/.386 with six homers last season, Jake Lamb could be primed to build on his success. Lamb was a .321/.408/.552 hitter over his minor league career.

6. Welington Castillo, C

Welington Castillo, C Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
After hitting .255/.317/.496 with 17 homers through just 80 games with the D-Backs in 2015, Welington Castillo should be a sturdy and dependable catcher again this coming season.

6. Welington Castillo, C

After hitting .255/.317/.496 with 17 homers through just 80 games with the D-Backs in 2015, Welington Castillo should be a sturdy and dependable catcher again this coming season.

7. Jean Segura, SS

Jean Segura, SS Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Acquired in an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, Jean Segura only hit .257/.281/.336 last year, but he is just a few years removed from a breakout 2013 campaign. Segura should be capable of doing a fine job at shortstop for the Snakes.

7. Jean Segura, SS

Acquired in an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, Jean Segura only hit .257/.281/.336 last year, but he is just a few years removed from a breakout 2013 campaign. Segura should be capable of doing a fine job at shortstop for the Snakes.

8. Chris Owings, 2B

Chris Owings, 2B Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
After undergoing shoulder surgery in October of 2014, Chris Owings hit only .227/.264/.322 through 147 games last year. Still, he is only 24 years old and was a .291/.321/.438 hitter in the minors.

8. Chris Owings, 2B

After undergoing shoulder surgery in October of 2014, Chris Owings hit only .227/.264/.322 through 147 games last year. Still, he is only 24 years old and was a .291/.321/.438 hitter in the minors.

9. Zack Greinke, P

Zack Greinke, P Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
After finishing second in the NL Cy Young voting last year and then signing a reported six-year, $206.5 million deal with Arizona, Zack Greinke is poised to be the ace and lead this rotation in 2016.

9. Zack Greinke, P

After finishing second in the NL Cy Young voting last year and then signing a reported six-year, $206.5 million deal with Arizona, Zack Greinke is poised to be the ace and lead this rotation in 2016.

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