MLB 2019 preview: Projecting the NL West

Bob Hille

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MLB 2019 preview: Projecting the NL West image

The Padres (Manny Machado) and Rockies (Nolan Arenado) spent big in the NL West.

The two-time defending NL champion Dodgers made no blockbuster moves, same with the Giants, though the former remains stacked while the latter teeters on a rebuild in manager Bruce Bochy’s farewell season.

MORE: Watch 'ChangeUp,' a new MLB live whip-around show on DAZN

The Diamondbacks? It’s hard to say trading Paul Goldschmidt to the Cardinals while looking to offload ace Zack Greinke’s contract screams contention, though they won 82 games in 2017.

Here is your 2019 preview for the NL West:

Storyline to watch — Clock’s ticking, Dodgers

With consecutive World Series losses extending their title drought to 30 years, the Dodgers have to be feeling some pressure. The moves the team did make — bringing back C Russell Martin and adding OF A.J. Pollack (and RHP Joe Kelly) — hardly offset losing C Yasmani Grandal, OF Yasiel Puig and OF Matt Kemp and losing out on Manny Machado in a half-hearted effort. 

Fans noticed and are restless. If Clayton Kershaw’s shoulder problem lingers and Max Muncy’s surprising pop last season (team-best 35 HRs) was a one-time thing, then suddenly a lot of other things have to go right: Walker Buehler, 24, has to become the staff’s new ace, and Corey Seager has to return to his old self after a season-ending injury.

MVP candidate — Cody Bellinger, Dodgers

The 2017 NL Rookie of the Year took a step back in 2018. He slashed .260/.343/.470 and was particularly vulnerable to left-handed pitchers (his batting average dropped 50 points against lefties). His OPS fell 119 points, from .933 in 2017 to .814 in 2018. So back he comes in 2019, having focused in the offseason on the hitting fundamentals that escaped him in 2018 and no longer facing a platoon in the field (he’ll play mostly in right with some games at first base, too). He’s only 23, but he’s an elite offensive player who can affect games with his defense, too. Look for a big bounce-back season that looks more like his 2017 than his 2018.

Cy Young candidate — German Marquez, Rockies

Let’s take a flyer on Marquez, the Rockies right-hander, just ahead of Buehler, another rising NL West star. With a career 8.8 WAR, Marquez (14-11, 3.77 ERA, 230 strikeouts in 2018) has a fastball that can touch triple digits with a slider and 12-to-6 curve that became his strikeout pitches in the second half. He’ll have to fight the home-road thing all Colorado pitchers do, but he has teammate Kyle Freeland (2.40 home ERA in 2018) to counsel with on that front. And history doesn't faze Marquez.

Prospect to watch — Luis Urias, Padres

Now that MLB's second-rated prospect, shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., 20, will begin the season with the big club, all eyes turn one of the other nine — count 'em — Padres prospects on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list: Look for Urias, 21, to arrive at some point this season to play second base (sorry, Ian Kinsler). Padres fans will see what will be a formidable infield for years to come: Manny Machado, 26, and Eric Hosmer, 29, at the corners with Tatis and Urias up the middle.

Division prediction — Dodgers by a nose

It’s tempting to say the Rockies, coming off a franchise-best 91 wins, have what it takes to overcome the two-time defending NL champion Dodgers, especially if Colorado’s pitching stays healthy, as it did last season. Sorry, no can do. Even with Kershaw ailing, there’s too much pitching and offense in L.A. Slot the Rockies in as wild-card contenders, the Padres up-and-coming and the Diamondbacks and Giants on the slide.

 

Bob Hille

Bob Hille Photo

Bob Hille, a senior content consultant for The Sporting News, has been part of the TSN team for most of the past 30 years, including as managing editor and executive editor. He is a native of Texas (forever), adopted son of Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado State, and longtime fan of “Bull Durham” (h/t Annie Savoy for The Sporting News mention).