Padres (24-16)
Good: The team is in the top spot in the NL West despite not playing their best. SS Xander Bogaerts is having a rebound season on a big contract. 3B/OF Miguel Andujar was a smart pickup playing well. C Luis Campusano has shown good power and consistency. OF Jackson Merrill is heating up after a cold start. Ace Michael King has led the pitching core along with Randy Vasquez. The bullpen has been very good led by last season’s big pickup Closer Mason Miller putting up great numbers.
Bad: 3B Manny Machado is struggling along with the slow start from Merrill and the lack of power from OF/2B Fernando Tatis who hasn’t hit a homerun yet. OF Ramon Laureano is struggling in the leadoff spot. 1B/OF Gavin Sheets is struggling along with 2B/3B Jake Cronenworth. Addition OF Nick Castellanos is struggling and showing limited power. The starting pitching has dealt with injuries/inconsistency. The team could use a consistent infield bat and a starting pitcher.
Dodgers (24-17)
Good: The Dodgers are 2nd in a tough division with the bats to keep them in any game. 3B Max Muncy has led the team with good power and consistency. 2nd year C Dalton Rushing has shown good power and production in limited play. 3rd year OF Andy Pages continues to show improvement as a consistent bat with power. 2nd year SS/2B Hyesong Kim has shown improvement while taking over the SS spot. The starting pitching has played very well with good depth and great production from Shohei Ohtani. 3rd year starting P Justin Wrobleski is having a good season so far leading the team. The bullpen has played well.
Bad: The team continues to deal with injuries mostly to 2B/OF Mookie Betts offensively and the pitching staff. OF Teoscar Hernandez and OF/1B Shohei Ohtani haven’t shown as much power. The team is in a battle for 1st place with the Padres despite playing very well. Big addition OF Kyle Tucker has just been ok. Big addition Closer Edwin Diaz is struggling making the position a problem again.
Diamondbacks (20-20)
Good: Addition 3B Nolan Arenado is having a rebound season with the change of scenery. 1B Ildemaro Vargas has been on fire with a long hit streak. 1st year 1B Jose Fernandez has played well so far. Star OF Cobin Carroll has been showing good consistency off to a good start. Starting P Eduardo Rodriguez has gotten off to a good start leading the team. The bullpen has played well.
Bad: Star 2B Ketel Marte is struggling after a hot start and being a big name on the offseason trade market. SS Geraldo Perdomo has taken a step back. The Catcher position is struggling with two good players on the staff. The starting pitching has struggled despite bringing back Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen. The team needs another starting pitcher and a consistent OF bat.
Giants (17-24)
Good: The bats have shown good consistency with the addition of veteran 2B/1B Luis Arraez. 1B/2B Casey Schmitt is playing well. 1B/3B Rafael Devers is heating up after a cold start and a lot of criticism. OF Heliot Ramos is playing well. Starting Pitchers Robbie Ray and Landen Roupp have played well. The relief pitching has been very good.
Bad: Last year’s big additions 3B Matt Chapman and SS Willy Adames have gotten off to rough starts showing limited power. The team has shown limited power. C Patrick Bailey was traded, but hopefully it leads to better production from the position as he struggled. Ace Logan Webb and addition Tyler Mahle have struggled. The team could use a starting Pitcher, a power bat, and an upgrade at Catcher.
Rockies (16-25)
Good: Last season’s smart pickup OF Mickey Moniak is having a good season showing power and drawing good trade interest. C Hunter Goodman is a solid power bat with consistency. 1st year 1B T.J. Rumsfield and 2nd year OF Troy Johnston have played well so far. Veteran addition Willi Castro has been a consistent bat. Last year’s addition OF Tyler Freeman is playing well. Trade addition OF Jake McCarthy has been playing well since joining the team. Veteran 2B Edouard Julien has been a consistent bat. 2nd year starting Pitchers Chase Dollander and Tomoyuki Sugano (from the Orioles) along with veteran Jose Quintana have played well so far. The team has been competitive offensively. P Antonio Senzatela has played well moving to the bullpen.
Bad: SS Ezequel Tovar and OF’s Brenton Doyle and Jordan Beck are struggling despite being considered part of the core. 2nd year 3B Kyle Karros is struggling. The starting pitching and bullpen are struggling; the team could use 2 of each.
