ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Arizona finished first winning the Western Division of the National League, with a 94-68 record, and went 43-29 against the National League West.

JUSTIN UPTON

Their hitting was a little better than average; 9^th in runs scored, 19^th (.250) in average, their on base percentage was 12^th and 8^th in slugging percentage. Justin Upton was the whole story in 2011, a.289 BA, 31 HR’s and 88 RBI’s and .369 On Base Percentage and 171 hits. As a team, they powered 171 on the wall.

The pitching was equally better than average; 14^th in ERA (3.80), opponents batting .257 against them. Leading the team was Ian Kennedy with 21 wins and a 2.88 ERA and 198 K’s, J.J. Putz holding the fort on 45 saves and David Hernandez with 23 holds.

On the open market – Henry Blanco resigned for another year for over a million, as a backup catcher, along with Willie Bloomquist LF, for 2 years $3.8 million, they managed to keep Aaron Hill at 2^nd for 2 more years and $11 million. Jason Marquis jumped ship for Minnesota, Lyle Overbay 1stB re-signed, while Micah Owings took his 8-0, 3.57 ERA to San Diego, but kept Joe Saunders, 3.69 12-13 ERA for 1 year $6 million. They stayed out of the marketplace otherwise, looking to re-sign and keep what they have for the most part.

There really hasn’t been a whole lot of improvements in the west, all the teams are average to bad at best, and so I think the Diamondbacks will repeat as winners once again in 2012.