As spring training closes in on its final days, and Major League Baseball looks forward to the regular season, teams across the league view their competition and highlight players that they feel will have a big impact during the regular season.
The National League West, while not necessarily receiving the bulk of media attention, has become one of the preeminent divisions in MLB. The San Francisco Giants currently stand atop the baseball world, having won two out of the last three World Series titles. They also boast one of the best starting rotations in baseball along with the reigning National League Most Valuable Player and former Rookie of the Year Buster Posey.
Yet Posey and the Giants are not alone in a division that is steadily becoming one of the predominant divisions in the league.
To the south, the Los Angeles Dodgers have quickly transformed from the “laughing stock” days of the Frank McCourt era into a powerhouse, especially after transactions involving former All Stars Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Beckett. Already hosting talent, the likes of which include Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers figure to challenge the Giants atop the division.
The Arizona Diamondbacks also made moves in the offseason, including trading for Martin Prado and signing veteran Cody Ross. The moves, among others figure to make the Diamondbacks a scrappy and tough-to-beat team in the division, one that hopes to thwart the two “big dogs” that are predicted to contend for the NL West crown.
The Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres are also looking towards the future. While neither team should realistically compete for the division championship, there are positives for each franchise. For the Rockies, both Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki should start 2013 healthy and poised for big numbers. The Padres are likely to put high hopes on Chase Headley.
All signs point to an exciting race, heralded by top performances from some of the key figures in the division.
Here are the top-10 players, along with a few notables, who figure to have big seasons in 2013.