SCOTTSDALE — The Arizona Diamondbacks plan to run out a lineup with most of their projected starters in their spring training opener on Friday against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields, according to manager Torey Lovullo.
On the mound, the D-backs will give a look to non-roster invitee Thomas Hatch, a right-handed reliever who pitched last year for the Minnesota Twins.
The Diamondbacks have a large group headed to the World Baseball Classic (which starts March 5) who are on slightly different schedules than normal. Players will begin reporting to their respective WBC teams next weekend.
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“I’m trying to fast forward this as much as possible, because the entire infield is going to play in the WBC,” Lovullo said. “So I want to get them on the field. I wouldn’t be playing (Alek Thomas) in the outfield tomorrow, but I’m going to so he can get ready for Team Mexico. So you’re going to see five or six of the regulars. (Gabriel Moreno) is going to catch, as well.”
Arizona will send off infielders Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte and Carlos Santana, plus outfielders Thomas, Kristian Robinson and Druw Jones along with pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Soroka and Yu-Min Lin.
Lovullo mentioned Thomas will be in center field on Friday, as Thomas has been expanding to the corners this spring with Jordan Lawlar getting reps in center.
When players head out for the WBC, the D-backs will have an opportunity to evaluate younger talent early in spring training games against more major leaguers. For those vying to make the roster, this could be an opportunistic stretch.
First pitch on Friday is at 1:10 p.m. with the Diamondbacks as the road team before swapping with Colorado when they play each other again on Saturday. Arizona’s first three Cactus League games are at Salt River Fields, as it hosts the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
What Torey Lovullo is watching for in Diamondbacks spring training
In terms of player evaluation, Lovullo expressed that results in spring training are not the be-all, end-all. Quality of at-bats and consistency of mechanics are attention-grabbers.
“I’m looking for their feet lining up, everything being consistent, their body getting towards a baseball, the hand path being super clean, following the ball meaning where if it’s thrown away, hit away. If it’s thrown in, you hit in. Swinging at strikes. Ball tracking,” Lovullo said.
“We’re getting some live at-bats, but nothing like what will happen tomorrow. And once that happens, I’m going to watch the same things. It’s just going to be sped up a little bit more.”
That said, if a player is hitting line drives left and right and seeing a lot pitches during these spring training games, that will be a sign they are in a good spot, in which regard results will tell a story.
“Some things are weighted,” Lovullo said. “If we’re looking to see a guy make a team over a guy that’s going to continue to develop, and we got to make a decision, it’s got to be a slam dunk-type of decision. We’re going to definitely take in the results, but more or less the projections and how they’re getting there.”
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