With Opening Day looming for all groups, let’s gaze into the crystal ball to see what’s in retailer for each workforce within the Nationwide League West.

Arizona Diamondbacks | Document prediction: 90-72 (second in division)

RHP Corbin Burnes will likely be within the Cy Younger dialog: The largest free-agent signing in workforce historical past will repay instantly.

Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210M take care of Arizona, gained the NL Cy Younger with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021 and completed fifth within the American League final season in his solely marketing campaign with the Baltimore Orioles (2.92 ERA in 194.1 innings in 32 begins). This yr, becoming a member of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and others, Burnes will lead the Arizona rotation, a bunch that has a respectable probability to be sneaky good.

In a survey of 32 workforce executives, scouts and coaches by The Athletic’s Jayson Stark, the signing of Burnes was ranked the second-best FA signing of the offseason, behind the Dodgers’ signing of pitcher Roki Sasaki.

Colorado Rockies | Document prediction: 66-96 (fifth)

OF Nolan Jones will discover his stride: After a 2023 season through which he posted 4.3 bWAR and hit 20 homers and stole 20 bases, Jones regressed in 2024, slashing .227/.321/.320 and hitting simply three homers and stealing solely 5 bases.

This season, Jones will shake off his dismal 2024 and as soon as once more be the reply for the Rockies in left subject. The 26-year-old Jones battled by means of accidents final season, however he entered spring coaching wholesome and decided to place 2024 within the rearview. 

Los Angeles Dodgers | Document prediction: 99-63 (first)

One other sub-100 win season coming: Los Angeles, which swept the Chicago Cubs in Japan to begin the season 2-0, has arguably extra expertise than another MLB workforce, however profitable 100 regular-season video games will as soon as once more elude the Dodgers. Nevertheless, after profitable 98 video games final season, the Dodgers went on to win the World Sequence, so possibly triple-digit wins aren’t that essential. (Los Angeles gained 100 or extra video games in 2021, 2022 and 2023 however didn’t advance to the World Sequence.)

For the Dodgers, when each workforce you are taking part in is viewing the sequence as a measuring stick towards not solely a uber-talented squad, but in addition the defending world champions, the burden of the crown can get heavy. The expectations that go together with a season through which everyone seems to be anticipating greatness each recreation will put on on the Dodgers, who will win 99 video games and seize the division with loads of room to spare.

San Diego Padres | Document prediction: 89-73 (third)

Jackson Merrill would be the NL’s finest heart fielder: The 21-year-old Merrill completed second to Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes in final yr’s NL Rookie of the 12 months race and watched as Colorado’s Brenton Doyle gained the NL Gold Glove in heart subject. This season, Merrill will likely be motivated by not solely final season’s award misses, but in addition his fast adaptation to heart subject to take the following step in his younger profession.

Remember that Merrill, a prime prospect at shortstop, had by no means performed in heart subject earlier than taking it over for the Padres on Opening Day final season. He went on to slash .292/.326/.500 with 24 dwelling runs and 90 RBI. This season, much more comfy and assured, Merrill be the middle fielder everybody within the NL will likely be speaking about.

San Francisco Giants | Document prediction: 79-83  (fourth)

OF Jung Hoo Lee will get away: After a debut season through which he logged simply 145 at-bats earlier than present process season-ending surgical procedure, Lee will lastly get an opportunity to point out off his expertise in 2025. 

The 26-year-old outfielder slashed .262/.310/.331 in his 37 video games with the Giants final season. After batting Lee primarily within the leadoff spot final yr, San Francisco supervisor Bob Melvin has already indicated that Lee might transfer down within the order in 2025, giving him much more of an opportunity to make a distinction for a lineup that wants him to be wholesome and productive. After a spring damage scare together with his again, Lee is predicted to be a catalyst for San Francisco.