Predicting Arizona Diamondbacks' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

By Bryan Zarpentine

The Arizona Diamondbacks were one of the best offenses teams in the National League last year. However, in order to improve their pitching, the Diamondbacks had to sacrifice some offense. Arizona’s lineup will look considerably different in 2016 than the unit that lit up the scoreboard time and time again last year. Let’s take a look at what the Diamondbacks will look like on opening day.

Predicting Arizona Diamondbacks\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup
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1. A.J. Pollock, Center Field

A.J. Pollock, Center Field Credit: Getty Images
The trade of Ender Inciarte will have a huge effect on Arizona's lineup, especially Pollock. He performed well hitting primarily in the No. 2 spot last year, but he'll be forced into the leadoff spot this season, and he'll have to adjust accordingly.

1. A.J. Pollock, Center Field

The trade of Ender Inciarte will have a huge effect on Arizona's lineup, especially Pollock. He performed well hitting primarily in the No. 2 spot last year, but he'll be forced into the leadoff spot this season, and he'll have to adjust accordingly.

2. Jake Lamb, Third Base

Jake Lamb, Third Base Credit: Matt Kartozian - USATODAY Sports
Lamb will have to hit in order to keep his job at third base, as the Diamondbacks have some alternatives at that spot, and he'll also have to adjust to hitting in a different spot in the order. Moving Lamb to the No. 2 spot is the best move the Diamondbacks can make without losing the power in the middle of their lineup.

2. Jake Lamb, Third Base

Lamb will have to hit in order to keep his job at third base, as the Diamondbacks have some alternatives at that spot, and he'll also have to adjust to hitting in a different spot in the order. Moving Lamb to the No. 2 spot is the best move the Diamondbacks can make without losing the power in the middle of their lineup.

3. Paul Goldschmidt, First Base

Paul Goldschmidt, First Base Credit: Getty Images
Goldschmidt is Arizona's most important hitter and a huge key to their season. He's a potential MVP candidate, and if the Diamondbacks turn into contenders in the NL West, Goldschmidt will be a huge part of it. Arizona just needs the players in front of him to get on base.

3. Paul Goldschmidt, First Base

Goldschmidt is Arizona's most important hitter and a huge key to their season. He's a potential MVP candidate, and if the Diamondbacks turn into contenders in the NL West, Goldschmidt will be a huge part of it. Arizona just needs the players in front of him to get on base.

4. David Peralta, Right Field

David Peralta, Right Field Credit: Jeff Hanisch - USATODAY Sports
Moving Peralta to the No. 2 spot is tempting, as it will give him more at bats and it's a spot in the lineup where he can succeed; however, after the season he had last season, it will be hard to move him out of the cleanup spot. At the end of the day, the Diamondbacks need to provide protection for Goldschmidt, so Peralta will hit cleanup.

4. David Peralta, Right Field

Moving Peralta to the No. 2 spot is tempting, as it will give him more at bats and it's a spot in the lineup where he can succeed; however, after the season he had last season, it will be hard to move him out of the cleanup spot. At the end of the day, the Diamondbacks need to provide protection for Goldschmidt, so Peralta will hit cleanup.

5. Welington Castillo, Catcher

Welington Castillo, Catcher Credit: Rick Scuteri - USATODAY Sports
Castillo put up big numbers last year after coming to Arizona, and this year the Diamondbacks will be counting on him to be just as productive. He hit 19 home runs last year, albeit with three different teams, and if he can match or exceed that number this year, the Diamondbacks should be content with him batting fifth.

5. Welington Castillo, Catcher

Castillo put up big numbers last year after coming to Arizona, and this year the Diamondbacks will be counting on him to be just as productive. He hit 19 home runs last year, albeit with three different teams, and if he can match or exceed that number this year, the Diamondbacks should be content with him batting fifth.

6. Yasmany Tomas, Left Field

Yasmany Tomas, Left Field Credit: Getty Images
Tomas came to the big leagues last year with the reputation of being a power hitter, but managing just nine home runs was a huge disappointment. His promise of power will keep him in the middle of the lineup, and he'll start the season as an every day hitter who will get regular at bats, which should help. However, if he doesn't perform, Socrates Brito could make a push for his job.

6. Yasmany Tomas, Left Field

Tomas came to the big leagues last year with the reputation of being a power hitter, but managing just nine home runs was a huge disappointment. His promise of power will keep him in the middle of the lineup, and he'll start the season as an every day hitter who will get regular at bats, which should help. However, if he doesn't perform, Socrates Brito could make a push for his job.

7. Jean Segura, Shortstop

Jean Segura, Shortstop Credit: Benny Sieu - USATODAY Sports
Segura is a candidate to hit high in the order, possibly first or second, which would be great news for the Diamondbacks. However, after his production the last two seasons, he has a lot to prove, so he'll start the season hitting down in the order. If Segura can regain the form he had in 2013, he'll give Arizona's lineup considerable depth.

7. Jean Segura, Shortstop

Segura is a candidate to hit high in the order, possibly first or second, which would be great news for the Diamondbacks. However, after his production the last two seasons, he has a lot to prove, so he'll start the season hitting down in the order. If Segura can regain the form he had in 2013, he'll give Arizona's lineup considerable depth.

8. Chris Owings, Second Base

Chris Owings, Second Base Credit: Jerry Lai - USATODAY Sports
Owings was an every day player for the first time in his career last year, but he didn't produce at a high level. The Diamondbacks should be able to survive without much from Owings, but it'd be nice if he could help out offensively more than he did last year to give Arizona more depth.

8. Chris Owings, Second Base

Owings was an every day player for the first time in his career last year, but he didn't produce at a high level. The Diamondbacks should be able to survive without much from Owings, but it'd be nice if he could help out offensively more than he did last year to give Arizona more depth.

9. Zack Greinke, Pitcher

Zack Greinke, Pitcher Credit: Getty Imags
Greinke was Arizona's top offseason addition, and he will certainly be the team's opening day starter. The Diamondbacks lacked an ace last year, but they definitely have one now with Greinke, who is a big reason why the Diamondbacks think they can compete in the NL West this season.

9. Zack Greinke, Pitcher

Greinke was Arizona's top offseason addition, and he will certainly be the team's opening day starter. The Diamondbacks lacked an ace last year, but they definitely have one now with Greinke, who is a big reason why the Diamondbacks think they can compete in the NL West this season.

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