The finale of our x-factor series in which we look at one player who will have the greatest impact on each MLB team. We wrap with the National League West.
We’ve done it. We are now less than 48 hours away from real, actual baseball. It’s so close you can taste it! We’ve also made it to the end of our 2017 x-factors series. In series past we have looked at the 2017 x-factors for each team in each division in baseball. We have touched on prospects, high-variance youngsters, and even the steady veterans who are needed to guide their team through the 162-game beast of a regular season.
We finish up with the National League West. (Sorry guys, I know you are always last.) The Dodgers currently have a stranglehold on the division, having won the last four NL West crowns. They are projected to win the division again in 2017, and according to some projections, are even projected to be the best team in baseball.
There’s plenty of intrigue behind L.A., though. (That’s not to just give the division to the Dodgers. Just behind in the projections sense.) The Giants have made the postseason four of the past seven seasons, with three titles sprinkled in there. (Although, since it’s an even year should we just count them out already?) The Rockies are one of the most buzzed about up-and-coming teams in baseball, a team that finally has the pitching to hang with the big bats of Blake Street. The Diamondbacks have exorcised their front office of the old school demons who lorded over Chase Field for so long, but will it make any difference? And San Diego is nice and sunny this time of year. (Oh, and they have some fun, young talents as well.)
In the next few slides we’ll be looking at the players (and personnel!) who could make the biggest impact on the 2017 season. A season that, once again, will be here before you know it.