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Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres? Who has best NL West lineup?

By Seth Carlson

Oct 15, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a double in the third inning against the San Diego Padres during game four of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a double in the third inning against the San Diego Padres during game four of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 15, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks Ketel Marte (4) high-fives Jake McCarthy (30) after hitting a home run against the San Diego Padres in the fourth inning at Chase Field.Mlb Dodgers At D Backs
Sep 15, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks Ketel Marte (4) high-fives Jake McCarthy (30) after hitting a home run against the San Diego Padres in the fourth inning at Chase Field.Mlb Dodgers At D Backs /

2023 Arizona Diamondbacks projected lineup and wRC+

  1. Corbin Carroll, LF (116 wRC+)
  2. Ketel Marte, 2B (128)
  3. Jake McCarthy, RF (103)
  4. Christian Walker, 1B (119)
  5. Josh Rojas, 3B (104)
  6. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., DH (116)
  7. Alek Thomas, CF (98)
  8. Carson Kelly, C (105)
  9. Nick Ahmed, SS (90)

Arizona has some intriguing young players and a deep farm system, which bodes well for their future. And their projected lineup for 2023 isn’t half-bad. It’s certainly a far cry from the Dodgers and Padres, but it’s definitely close in caliber to the Giants’ lineup. The Diamondbacks also added catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and veteran third baseman Evan Longoria this winter, both of whom figure to see playing time in 2023.

2023 Colorado Rockies projected lineup and wRC+

  1. Yonathan Daza, CF (91 wRC+)
  2. Kris Bryant, LF (130)
  3. Ryan McMahon, 3B (101)
  4. C.J. Cron, 1B (110)
  5. Charlie Blackmon, DH (97)
  6. Brendan Rodgers, 2B (106)
  7. Randal Grichuk, RF (97)
  8. Elias Diaz, C (88)
  9. Ezequiel Tovar, SS (97)

Well, at least Kris Bryant is coming back, right? After missing a bulk of the 2022 season with injuries, Bryant is expected to carry this mediocre Rockies group in 2023 which features just four above-average run creators, according to FanGraphs. Colorado has all the components of a lineup  worthy of the NL West basement once again.

Overall, these projections seem mostly in line with how the NL West is projected to shake out in 2023. The Padres and Dodgers are the overwhelming favorites to clinch the division, and their battle for supremacy will be one to watch this season. That said, the Giants and Diamondbacks could both be underrated this season, more so than you’d expect. Still, they’re no viable threat to San Diego or Los Angeles. The Rockies don’t even make it into conversation.

So who has the best lineup in the NL West? The San Diego Padres would seem to have the advantage here. Every single bat in their lineup is projected to be above-average, something not even the Dodgers can say, according to FanGraphs. Nevertheless, this should be a fun year ahead.

Next. Mets, Braves or Phillies: Who has the best NL East lineup?. dark

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