2025 Arizona Diamondbacks Season Preview: A New Era Begins

By Ken Turley, Sedona Seams

As the 2025 MLB season dawns, the Arizona Diamondbacks stand on the edge of something big.

This time last year, we were all wondering if the Snakes could build on their 2023 World Series appearance or if 2024 was going to be a sobering step back. They silenced those doubts with grit, development, and just enough star power to stay dangerous all year long.

Now? This is no longer a team hoping to contend. This is a team expecting to. And they’ve got the firepower to back it up.

Offseason Additions: Strengthening the Core

Arizona’s front office didn’t try to reinvent the wheel this offseason—but they did get better in all the right places. These weren’t splashy-for-splash’s-sake moves. These were calculated additions designed to plug holes, raise the floor, and bring a little more bite to a team that already proved it belongs.

Corbin Burnes: The Ace We’ve Been Waiting For

The arrival of Corbin Burnes is as significant a splash as Arizona’s made in years. A former Cy Young winner, Burnes brings postseason experience, elite stuff, and a tone-setting presence in the clubhouse.

Paired with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, Burnes gives the Diamondbacks one of the most complete top-of-rotation trios in the league. His presence will take pressure off the bullpen and allow the staff to go toe-to-toe with the best rotations in baseball.

Make no mistake—Burnes didn’t just come here to compete. He came here to win.

Josh Naylor: Big Bat, Bigger Fit

Replacing Christian Walker—now with the Astros—was no easy task, but Josh Naylor might just be the perfect fit.

He brings left-handed thump, emotional fire, and the kind of grit that plays perfectly in a clubhouse that’s built around culture and chemistry. At 28, Naylor is entering his prime and is coming off a season where he slashed .274 with 25 HR and 85 RBI. He’s a legit middle-of-the-order bat with even more upside in a lineup this deep.

Expect him to hit in the heart of the order and deliver loud moments all season long.

Randal Grichuk: A Welcome Return

Bringing back Randal Grichuk might’ve flown under the radar nationally, but here in the Valley, we know what he brings.

• Last season, Grichuk slashed .291/.348/.528 over 106 games, with 12 HR and 46 RBI. He raked lefties and filled in wherever he was needed.

• He returns on a team-friendly one-year deal and will be a key weapon against left-handed pitching, rotating between corner outfield and DH.

• His veteran presence and positional flexibility give this roster even more depth and lineup versatility.

GM Mike Hazen said it best: “He was a major piece to what we did last year offensively.” Grichuk coming back is a win for both the clubhouse and the scoreboard.

2025 Opening Day Roster Highlights

Lineup

• C: Gabriel Moreno

• 1B: Josh Naylor

• 2B: Ketel Marte

• SS: Geraldo Perdomo

• 3B: Eugenio Suárez

• LF: Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

• CF: Jake McCarthy

• RF: Corbin Carroll

• DH: Pavin Smith / Randal Grichuk (vs. LHP)

Rotation

1. Zac Gallen

2. Merrill Kelly

3. Brandon Pfaadt

4. Eduardo Rodriguez

5. Corbin Burnes

Bullpen

• Justin Martinez

• A.J. Puk

• Kevin Ginkel

• Kendall Graveman

• Ryan Thompson

• Joe Mantiply

• Bryce Jarvis

Bench

• Randal Grichuk

• Garrett Hampson

• Jace Peterson

• Blaze Alexander

• Jose Herrera

Position-by-Position Breakdown & Grades

First Base – Josh Naylor Grade: B+ At 28, Naylor enters his prime as a steady left-handed power bat. In 2024, he hit .274 with 25 HR and 85 RBI in Cleveland. He brings grit, energy, and a presence in the middle of the order. Defensively solid and under team control beyond this season, he represents a long-term piece. Projected 2025 stats: .265 AVG, 22 HR, 86 RBI. If he thrives in this deeper Arizona lineup, he could elevate to All-Star conversations.

Second Base – Ketel Marte Grade: A Marte continues to be one of baseball's most underrated stars. In 2024, he hit .292 with 36 HR and 95 RBI. He's the best second baseman in MLB when healthy and has sneaky MVP potential. His ability to switch-hit and stay locked in over 162 is huge. Look for him to see some time at DH to preserve his legs. Projected 2025: .274 AVG, 26 HR, 87 RBI.

Shortstop – Geraldo Perdomo Grade: B Fresh off a 4-year, $45M extension, Perdomo is locked in as the shortstop of the future. In 2024, he hit .273 with 3 HR and 37 RBI in 98 games while playing above-average defense. He's a clubhouse glue guy, and if he can be a serviceable .270 hitter in the 9-hole, that’s a massive win. He brings value beyond the box score.

Third Base – Eugenio Suárez Grade: B Geno's 2024 bounce-back was critical: .256, 30 HR, 101 RBI. He brings power, veteran savvy, and underrated defense. But his production in 2025 will be a key domino. If he regresses, Lawlar could get called up from Reno and push for playing time at 3B. Alternatively, Geno could transition into a DH role. Projected: .235 AVG, 24 HR, 80 RBI.

Catcher – Gabriel Moreno Grade: A- A defensive standout and elite framer, Moreno hit .266 with 5 HR and 45 RBI in 97 games last year. He commands the pitching staff like a veteran. If his bat develops even slightly, he becomes a top-5 catcher in the league. He’s a cornerstone at the most demanding position.

Left Field – Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Grade: B- Gurriel remains a bit of a mystery. In 2024, he hit .279 with 18 HR and 75 RBI—solid, but not game-changing. In 2023, he had a .261 AVG with 24 HR, so the dip in power is something to watch. He has the tools to be a difference-maker but needs to stay locked in. Projected 2025: .269 AVG, 16 HR, 70 RBI.

Center Field – Jake McCarthy Grade: C+ In 2024, McCarthy hit .285 with 8 HR, 56 RBI, and 25 SB. Great speed and solid defense, but consistency has been elusive. He needs to find a rhythm and a firm place in the lineup. If not, Alek Thomas (currently in Reno) could get another shot to claim the job. Projected 2025: .264 AVG, 8 HR, 48 RBI, 27 SB.

Right Field – Corbin Carroll Grade: A After a cold start to 2024, Carroll rebounded and finished strong, hitting .231 with 22 HR, 74 RBI, and 35 SB. He’s revamped his swing this offseason and looks primed to reestablish himself as one of MLB’s true five-tool players. Projected: .259 AVG, 22 HR, 79 RBI, 39 SB.

Designated Hitter – Pavin Smith / Randal Grichuk (vs LHP)Grade: C Smith hit .270 with 9 HR in 60 games last year, showing flashes but still lacking consistency. Grichuk posted a .291 AVG with 12 HR in 106 games and excels vs. lefties. This platoon works in theory, but if Smith doesn’t take the next step, the team may explore internal call-ups or a trade. This is the most vulnerable spot in the lineup.

Bench Grade: C+ Grichuk’s role in the DH/outfield rotation adds stability. Hampson offers versatility and speed. Peterson and Alexander bring reliable gloves and fill-in ability. Herrera is solid defensively behind the plate. This isn’t a flashy bench, but it’s reliable and capable.

Starting Rotation Grade: A- Zac Gallen (3.75 ERA, 167 K) and Corbin Burnes headline a strong group. Kelly (4.20 ERA), Rodriguez, and Pfaadt provide depth and experience. This is a playoff-ready rotation if it stays healthy. Burnes debuting in Game 5 allows him to keep his normal routine. The floor and ceiling are both high.

Bullpen Grade: B+ Justin Martinez (closer potential) and A.J. Puk bring serious stuff late. Ginkel, Thompson, and Graveman provide dependable bridge options. Mantiply adds balance, and Jarvis could grow into a more meaningful role. This group has good length, left-right balance, and upside—but will need to prove itself in high-leverage spots throughout the season.

The NL West Gauntlet

There’s no sugar-coating it: the NL West is a monster.

• The Dodgers are absurdly loaded. Their lineup and rotation are both terrifying.

• The Giants retooled with big spending and smart additions.

• The Padres still have talent, and their floor is higher than most think.

• Even the Rockies can’t be overlooked when they’re at home.

If Arizona wants to not only survive—but win in this division, it’ll come down to head-to-head matchups. That means beating L.A. in big moments, stealing series in San Diego, and protecting home field at Chase.

Final Thoughts

This season is about identity. Arizona is no longer the underdog story. No longer the surprise team. They’re real. They’re built to win. And they’re coming for the NL West division.

With a Cy Young ace, a balanced offense, a gritty bullpen, and one of the best young cores in baseball, the Diamondbacks enter 2025 not just with hope—but with expectation.

Let’s go Snakes!

— Ken