Dodgers: Sizing Up the NL West- Diamondbacks

The Dbacks pitching staff, whether it be in the bullpen or the rotation, was incredible last year. The list of excellence goes on and on and makes picking just one pitcher to watch out for very difficult.

Before picking my one standout, I find it necessary recognize these excellent pitchers by name but, I will limit the list to the pitchers who were exceptional against the Dodgers. These players are Robbie Ray, Zack Greinke, Taijuan Walker, and Archie Bradley.

So, with those names no longer eligible for my pick, you may be left wondering who I will select. The answer may or may not surprised but I will be going with 34-year-old Japanese rookie, Yoshihisa Hirano.

Hirano has been fantastic in Japan since his debut at age 22. The righty’s success comes not from high-velocity pitches but rather in his unusual delivery.

Hirano throws the ball from a total submarine position. His knuckles pass just inches from the mound on his delivery making his 91 mph fastball almost impossible to pick up. He compliments that fastball with a nasty slider and an equally as devastating change-up.

Hirano was my pick purely because of the potential he has. If he lives up to the hype, the 34-year-old rookie could wreak havoc on Dodger batters who have never seen a pitcher like this before.