Arizona Diamondbacks All-Time Starting Lineup/ Roster

Despite being in the league for only 22 seasons, the Diamondbacks have already done something 7 other teams haven’t. In 2001, they famously won the World Series over the heavily favored New York Yankees when Luis Gonzalez walked it off against the best closer in baseball in Game 7. There’s some great history for the team and lineup that is good, but possibly not yet that great. There’s certainly a few players to be very excited for though they do lack the big name stars that most other franchises have had for years. It might take some more time for the Diamondbacks to accumulate more talent though time will only tell. Nevertheless, Arizona poses a formidable task for most opponents, especially at the top of their lineup and the starting pitcher position.

Starting Lineup

1. A.J. Pollock, CF (R)
2. David Peralta, RF (L)
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (R)
4. Luis Gonzalez, LF (L)
5. Jay Bell, 2B (R)
6. Mark Reynolds, 3B (R)
7. Miguel Montero, C (L)
8. Nick Ahmed, SS (R)
9. Randy Johnson, P (L)
Manager: Bob Brenly

Catcher

Miguel Montero
2006-14: 365 Runs, 97 HR, 448 RBI, 2 SB, .264 BA/.342 OBP/.421 SLG

This came down to a split decision where the D-Backs could essentially either player at this spot. However, seniority status of spending more time with the team gave the nod to Miguel Montero over Damian Miller. From 2006 to 2014, Montero spent his time with Arizona as their primary catcher. He reached 97 home runs during that span and was best known for his stretches between 2009 through 2014. While not a great catcher, he was good enough to hit for a respectable .264 during his span with the team and played solid defense. Miller was more or less the same player who could hit for average and gave the team double digits in home runs each year. While he too wasn’t a great bat, he was a solid defensive catcher who could do a bit of everything.

Honorable Mentions: Damian Miller, Chris Snyder

First Baseman

Paul Goldschmidt
2011-18: 709 Runs, 209 HR, 710 RBI, 124 SB, .297 BA/.398 OBP/.532 SLG

While he does currently play for the St. Louis Cardinals, Goldy spent the early part of his career with the D-Backs and currently leads the franchise with the highest career WAR. While his numbers certainly look down compared to before, Goldy was a consistent source of average for Arizona and maintained an average of .290 or better for 6 straight seasons. During his span with the team, he would go on to 6 straight All Star game appearances and place within the top 3 of MVP voting three times. He’s a model player on and off the field and was consistently known as having one of the best approaches to the plate. He had great walk rates and was a great source of offense on a yearly basis. For our lineup, Goldy is the perfect #3 hitter where he was constantly placed during his tenure with the team.

Honorable Mentions: Conor Jackson, Erubiel Durazo

Second Baseman

Jay Bell
1998-02: 360 Runs, 91 HR, 304 RBI, 17 SB, .263 BA/.355 OBP/.458 SLG

This position was perhaps the toughest one to call. Among the honorable mentions, Orlando Hudson was a great source of average and always had a knack of reaching base. He received a pair of Gold Glove awards during his career and earned his first All Star game appearance. Ketel Marte is enjoying a breakout 2019 campaign though his track record doesn’t quite back it up. It’s still too early to tell if this is a fluke or will continue next year but he’s a great candidate for this All Time lineup moving forward. However, the pick here is Jay Bell who was part of the 2001 World Series team and essentially rejuvenated his career when he came to Arizona. Not known for much of a power hitter in his 12 prior seasons, he clubbed 91 homers in his four years and was a great source of power for the team. He would tail off in his last year with the D-Backs but Bell’s play was vital during their championship run and he’ll likely play a similar role in this lineup.

Honorable Mentions: Orlando Hudson, Ketel Marte, Aaron Hill

Shortstop

Nick Ahmed
2014-19: 232 Runs, 49 HR, 210 RBI, 24 SB, .237 BA/.290 OBP/.384 SLG

The shortstop position usually isn’t one of power but that’s exactly what Ahmed has begun to discover. Over the past few seasons, his home run totals have gone up and in this current age of baseball, that’s great news. After playing as a utility man and all over the field, Ahmed has finally found his place on the team and is one of the best defensive shortstops in the league. Last season, he was awarded with the Gold Glove Award and this year, he’s on pace to repeat as the recipient. He’s already saved 19 runs, compared to 21 last year, and is a stable glove at one of the hardest positions in the league to field. While he won’t be too much of an offensive threat, the D-Backs only need him to be great defensively to be in their lineup. Look for production to vary between power and contact though the defensive skills will always be there.

Honorable Mentions: Craig Counsell, Stephen Drew

Third Baseman

Mark Reynolds
2007-10: 326 Runs, 121 HR, 346 RBI, 42 SB, .242 BA/.334 OBP/.483 SLG

There’s another three horse race at this spot thought the victor will be Mark Reynolds. He’s the go big or go home pick as he could either get you moonshots or strike out essentially every season. During his 4 year span with the team, he led the league in strikeouts 3 times. That’s a pretty bad title to hold though he did also slug 104 homers during that same span. He was the typical power hitter of the time and didn’t provide much help in the average department. The defense was also a bit shaky though his reason for being in the lineup is his bat. Among the honorable mentions, Chad Tracy and Jake Lamb were good but just not consistent enough. Tracy’s power numbers only lasted for two seasons though his average was consistently better than Reynolds’. Lamb was great in 2016 and 2017 but has basically fallen off in the past two years and become borderline unstartable.

Honorable Mentions: Chd Tracy, Jake Lamb

Left Fielder

Luis Gonzalez
1999-06: 780 Runs, 224 HR, 774 RBI, 32 SB, .298 BA/.391 OBP/.529 SLG

After getting the game winning hit in their only World Series Championship, how can you put anyone except Gonzalez as the starting left fielder. Throughout his career, Gonzalez was a 5 time All Star and Silver Slugger once in 2001. He was a consistent starter for the D-Backs and was a man who could hit for both power and average. His best season came in their World Series season where he slugged 57 homers while maintaining a .325 average. In the all time lineup, Gonzalez makes for the ideal middle of the order bat as he’ll provide a steady balance of the average/power combo.

Honorable Mentions: Gerardo Parra, Eric Byrnes

Center Fielder

A.J. Pollock
2012-18: 367 Runs, 74 HR, 264 RBI, 103 SB, .281 BA/.338 OBP/.467 SLG

Yet another player who was recently part of Arizona’s core but no longer on the team is A.J. Pollock. This offseason, the outfield inked a deal to join the rival Dodgers and has continued being his usual self. While he was a great player during his time with the D-Backs, Pollock consistently had trouble staying on the field and was seemingly injured every year. However, he was a great player when fully healthy and unfortunately for Arizona, that only occurred during one year. In 2015, Pollock earned his only All-Star bid and finished the year batting .315 with 20 homers and 39 steals. After that season, many like myself though he would be primed for a 20-40 season (20 home runs and 40 steals) the following year but that never came to fruition. For the purposes of our lineup, we’ll put Pollock at the top of the lineup and hope he can replicate the potential he once showed.

Honorable Mentions: Steve Finley, Chris Young

Right Fielder

David Peralta
2014-19: 325 Runs, 83 HR, 325 RBI, 29 SB, .291 BA/.347 OBP/.478 SLG

The right field spot belongs to the D-Backs’ current left fielder but former right fielder, David Peralta. He gives the team a great left-handed bat and has a knack for getting on base. With the exception of one injury riddled season, Peralta has never hit below .280 for a season. While he might not have tremendous power or stealing ability, he’s a solid defender who is highly capable of leading the current Arizona team. He makes for a great bat in the lineup that can get on base for the middle of the lineup and fits perfectly as out #2 hitter.

Honorable Mentions: Justin Upton

Pitcher

Randy Johnson
1999-04, 2007-08: 118-62 Record, 2.83 ERA, 11.5 K/9, 2.3 BB/9

A 5 time CY Young winner, 10 time All Star, Triple Crown Winner, World Series MVP, and a Hall of Famer. What more of an introduction does Randy Johnson need? One of the best left handed starters in the history of the game and certainly best pitcher in Arizona history, Johnson is the clear choice for the D-Backs start and will be a very dominant force for opponents. He consistently led the league in strikeouts and ERA and dominated opponents throughout his career. The lengthy lefty dominated opponents with his fastball and helped put the Arizona franchise on the map. His signing signaled a not legitimate franchise that was still in its early stages and made them contenders almost overnight.

Honorable Mentions: Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Patrick Corbin

Manager

Bob Brenly

As a franchise that hasn’t actually been in the league for many years, the pick at manager has to be Bob Brenly who brought the team their only World Series championship. His .536 winning is the best in franchise history though with many years yet to come, that could certainly change. He was great in his first year as Arizona’s coach in 2001 though that success was very short lived. He would be fired after his first and only gig as a manager in 2004 and now is a TV color analyst for the D-Backs.