Eric SorensonIn this what-have-you-done-for-me-lately sports society it’s hard to fathom Zack Greinke improving on his 2015 jaw-dropping numbers.
19 wins and just three losses.
A minuscule 1.66 ERA with just 40 walks in over 220 innings pitched in 32 starts.
Some close to the Arizona Diamondbacks believe the sequel will be even better for their $206 million man who will make his Dbacks’ regular season debut Monday night against the Rockies at Chase Field.
“I didn’t think I’d ever say this but he might have a better year than he did last year,” Diamondbacks’ television analyst Bob Brenly told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat in a recent phone interview. “I base that on the fact that I think our offense is much better and much more consistent than the Dodgers’ offense last year. I know for a fact our defense is far superior.”
Arizona is banking on new additions Greinke and Shelby Miller to anchor the top half of what appears to be a solid, well-rounded rotation which is hoping to keep up with the San Francisco Giants impressive collection of starters.
Brenly is convinced the 32-year-old Greinke is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get player commanding pitches on both sides of the plate and capitalizing on a hitter’s weakness. He also says don’t mistake his quiet, laid-back approach for a lack of tenacity when he takes the mound every fifth day.
“Don’t mistake that for him not being a competitor,” Brenly told Cesmat. “He likes to get after it. He likes to go out there and I don’t want to say embarrass the other team, but he wants to beat them and he wants to beat them badly.
Arizona is hoping the former Dodger is every as advertised after a lights out spring where he struck out 11 in 14 innings pitched and finished with a 1.88 ERA.
“It’s not out of the question this guy could have just ridiculous Cy Young-caliber numbers this season.”
