The Arizona Diamondbacks are gearing up for their spring training opener, set to take place on Friday against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields. Manager Torey Lovullo reveals that the team will field a lineup featuring most of their projected starters, with a few notable absences due to the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Among the players set to take the field are infielders Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, and Carlos Santana, along with outfielders Thomas, Kristian Robinson, and Druw Jones. On the mound, non-roster invitee Thomas Hatch, a right-handed reliever from the Minnesota Twins, will make his debut.
Lovullo highlights the strategic decision to have players like Alek Thomas and Gabriel Moreno participate in the WBC, emphasizing the importance of their preparation for their respective national teams. The Diamondbacks' lineup will also include pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Soroka, and Yu-Min Lin.
The spring training opener presents an opportunity for the D-backs to assess younger talent against more established major leaguers. Players vying for roster spots will have a chance to showcase their skills in this critical stretch of games.
As for what Lovullo is looking for, he emphasizes that spring training results are not the sole determining factor. Instead, he focuses on the quality of at-bats and the consistency of mechanics. He seeks players with precise footwork, clean hand paths, and the ability to track the ball effectively.
Lovullo acknowledges that live at-bats will be limited in intensity compared to future games but will still scrutinize the same aspects. He notes that players hitting line drives consistently and seeing a high pitch count are on the right track, with results serving as a valuable indicator of their progress.
In terms of decision-making, Lovullo emphasizes that the team will consider both results and projections. If a player is deemed to have a significant edge over another, the decision will be clear-cut. However, the team will primarily rely on projections and the player's development trajectory.
The Diamondbacks' spring training opener is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. on Friday, with Arizona as the visiting team. They will play the Rockies again on Saturday before hosting the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday at Salt River Fields.
