NL West
Dodgers
Good: The team is back to winning and back at the top of division gaining space on the other teams at this point. Shohei Ohtani is healthy enough to pitch again and he can help the injured rotation. 2nd year OF Andy Pages has taken the next step. The core of the team is healthy and producing at a high level. Rookie 2B Hyeseong Kim is getting more comfortable and producing. Top prospect C Dalton Rushing has been able to see time. 3B Max Muncy is healthy again and playing very well after a slow start. Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues to play well as the ace in year 2. The pitching unit continues to show deep depth and Clayton Kershaw is 4-0 and healthy.
Bad: The long list of injuries at pitcher clearing out most of the starting unit. OF Michael Conforto is starting to go cold again along with young OF James Outman taking a step back as they both provide left-handed OF depth.
Giants
Good: The Giants continue to surprise as the #2 team in the division with a slight lead over the Padres, but are looking like a solid Wild Card team, especially after the trade for 3B/DH Rafael Devers. The pitching staff has performed well led by ace Logan Webb and veteran Robbie Ray; veteran Justin Verlander has been ok. OF Heliot Ramos has been playing very well in his 2nd year as a starter. 1B/3B Wilmer Flores is playing well after cooling off from a hot start. The batting production has been consistent led by 3B Matt Chapman before injury and now Devers.
Bad: The Catcher position has offered minimal production. Big free agent addition SS Willy Adames could still use a boost in offensive production. The depth on the team is questionable. The Padres aren’t going away.
Padres
Good: OF Fernando Tatis Jr. has regained his stardom and continues to lead the team. Picking up OF/DH Gavin Sheets from the White Sox proved to be a genius move as a change of scenery has been good for him. 3B Manny Machado continues to produce playing at a high level. The pitching has held up well led by Dylan Cease as the injuries continue to hit with ace Michael King out. Injuries at pitcher have made the Nick Pivetta signing another smart move.
Bad: The Catcher position has offered minimal production. On my last update the team was #1 in the division but slightly in 3rd place now. Injuries. The batting depth on the team is questionable.
Diamondbacks
Good: OF Corbin Carroll has regained form and is looking like a star again. The team continues to produce offensively led by Carroll and 2B Ketel Marte. 3B Eugenio Suarez is one of the top homerun hitters so far this season. 1B Josh Naylor has been able to replace the loss of Christian Walker. SS Geraldo Perdomo is continuing to improve. P Merrill Kelly has played well so far this season as the #1 pitcher due to injuries.
Bad: Newly acquired ace Corbin Burnes is out for the season with the team already in 4th place in a tough division. Injuries have hit the team lately with players like Carroll and Naylor. The pitching staff once viewed as deep hasn’t produced including #2/#3 pitcher Zac Gallen along with the bullpen struggles. The team may have to become sellers, after having big hopes.
Rockies
Good: OF Jordan Beck has played well in his 2nd season along with C Hunter Goodman in his 2nd season as a starter showing increased production. Utility player Tyler Freeman acquired via trade has played well. Free agent pickup 2B Thairo Estrada is healthy again giving them a consistent bat. Top prospect P Chase Dollander has been called up but has suffered the same fate as the rest of the staff in a hitter friendly park after a good start.
Bad: The team is already the worst team in the league. The pitchers can’t get down to a decent ERA in the hitter friendly park. OF/1B Kris Bryant once viewed as a top addition continues to struggle with injuries. OF Brenton Doyle is off to a slow start after showing growth last season. Veteran 3B Ryan McMahon has been ok hurting his potential trade value.
