1 bold prediction for each National League West team in 2023
By Seth Carlson
2022 saw the continued domination of the National League West by the Los Angeles Dodgers, as they captured their eighth division title in the last 10 years. But if what we saw in the playoffs and this winter in free agency were each any indication, the Dodgers will face stiff competition for divisional supremacy in 2023.
With so much player movement within the National League West during the off-season, it’s hard to predict what could happen this year. We’ll try anyway.
One bold prediction for each National League West team in 2023
Arizona Diamondbacks: They will be surprisingly competitive this season
People forget that the Diamondbacks finished strong down the stretch in 2022, and a lot of that had to do with the emergence of their young talent.
Their 74 wins won’t inspire a lot of confidence, but considering they finished with just 52 in 2021, that’s a massive improvement in just one year. Prospects like Corbin Carroll, Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas, along with mainstays Ketel Marte and Christian Walker as well as stud pitcher Zac Gallen gave Arizona reasons to believe in the future.
The continued development of these players will undoubtedly be key to the team’s success in 2023, but they’ve added even more young talent in case that doesn’t happen. Gabriel Moreno, for example, is one of those pieces. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also comes over from Toronto to provide a veteran presence, and Evan Longoria was signed as well.
The Diamondbacks aren’t a force to be reckoned with just yet, but this is a team that could be a lot better than you expect them to be, particularly if the young guys continue ascending towards their potential.