Arizona Diamondbacks 2026 ZiPS Projections: Playoff Hopes and Key Upgrades

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The Arizona Diamondbacks keep making headlines with their strong play and a future that looks pretty bright. As the roster shifts and grows, fans and analysts can’t help but wonder what’s next for this team.

The latest ZiPS projections give us a sneak peek at what 2026 might hold. Let’s dive into those numbers, take a look at key players, and maybe get a sense of where things are headed.

Table of Contents

Key Players to Watch

The 2026 ZiPS projections shine a spotlight on a handful of guys who could really shape the Diamondbacks’ season. Here’s who you might want to keep an eye on:

Corbin Carroll: Carroll looks like he could be a breakout star. He brings speed, power, and makes plays in the field that you just don’t see every day.
Alek Thomas: Thomas, still young but already impressive, adds a lot with his bat and covers ground in the outfield. How he develops could make a big difference.
Jordan Lawlar: Lawlar’s a shortstop everyone’s watching. If he comes through both at the plate and in the field, he could change the whole dynamic for Arizona.

Pitching Prospects

The Diamondbacks’ pitching staff could look pretty different soon, and that’s not a bad thing. ZiPS points to a few arms that might step up:

Brandon Pfaadt: Pfaadt has the stuff to start, and if he keeps it up, he’ll be a key piece of the rotation. Consistency is going to matter a lot here.
Drey Jameson: Jameson’s got a fastball that pops and he’s working on his other pitches. If he puts it together, that’s a big boost for the pitching depth.
Blake Walston: Walston might not be flashy, but he could become that steady, reliable option every team needs. Sometimes that’s exactly what gets you through a long season.

Offensive Projections

ZiPS doesn’t just focus on pitching—there’s plenty to talk about on offense, too. Here’s who might drive the runs in 2026:

Ketel Marte: Marte’s versatility stands out. He hits for average, he’s got some pop, and he just seems to find ways to help the team.
Josh Rojas: Rojas can get on base and play solid defense. His presence in the infield could end up being more important than people realize.
Christian Walker: Walker brings power, plain and simple. When the team needs runs, he’s the guy you want at the plate.

Defensive Strengths

Defense could be a real strength for Arizona. They’ve got a few players who just make things happen out there:

Nick Ahmed: Ahmed’s glove at shortstop gets a lot of respect. He makes tough plays look easy, and that’s huge for the infield.
Carson Kelly: Behind the plate, Kelly’s got the defensive chops and knows how to handle a pitching staff. That kind of leadership is hard to overstate.
David Peralta: Peralta brings experience and steadiness in the outfield. He might not make the highlight reel every night, but his presence matters.

Team Outlook

Looking at 2026, the Diamondbacks seem to have a good mix of young energy and seasoned vets. If they can work new prospects into the lineup, things could get interesting.

Challenges Ahead

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. There are a few hurdles the team can’t ignore:

Injury Concerns: Keeping everyone healthy is always a gamble. A couple of key injuries could throw off the whole plan.
Consistency: The younger guys have to find their groove and stick with it. If they can’t, the team might struggle to stay on track.
Competitive Division: Arizona’s division is stacked. They’ll need to hold their own against some tough opponents, and that’s never easy.

Conclusion

The 2026 ZiPS projections for the Arizona Diamondbacks actually look pretty optimistic. With a mix of emerging talents and seasoned players, the team could become a real force in Major League Baseball.

Of course, there are always challenges—injuries and consistency come to mind. If you want to dig into the numbers, check out the full ZiPS projections on FanGraphs.

As the 2026 season gets closer, fans have a lot to look forward to. The Diamondbacks might just be on the edge of something special, and honestly, it’s hard not to get a little excited about what could happen next.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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