Brandon Webb Key to Arizona Diamondbacks

Right handed pitcher Brandon Webb started for the Arizona Diamondbacks on opening day this past year. He allowed six earned runs in four innings. He wouldn't take the mound for the rest of the year because of a shoulder injury, and underwent surgery on it. The 30-year-old Webb won the 2006 National League Cy Young award, and was second in the voting for the award in 2007 and 2008.

Arizona needed Webb, and it showed. After having winning seasons in 2007 and 2008, winning a National League West division title and qualifying for the National League Championship Series in 2007, the Diamondbacks went just 70-92 in 2009.

The team has a decent lineup, but outfielder Justin Upton and third baseman Mark Reynolds are their only hitters that could be called good. The 22-year-old Upton could really be a star in the making. Upton's big league career began when he was just 19-years-old in 2007. The outfielder, who reminds some of Ken Griffey Jr., had a rocky first two seasons in the majors. He showed flashes of his incredible talent, but struggled a lot of the time. Things really clicked for Upton in 2009. He hit .300 with 26 home runs and 86 runs batted in to go with 20 steals. Reynolds, 26, hit .260 with 44 home runs and 102 runs batted in. He scored 98 runs and stole 24 bases. However, he struck out 223 times, breaking his own major league record for strikeouts in a season set in 2008. Reynolds can fill up the stat sheet, but his massive amount of strikeouts hinders his team.

Right handed pitcher Dan Haren is one of the best starting pitchers in the major leagues. Haren posted a 14-10 record with a 3.14 earned run average in 2009. Haren, 29, ranked first in the National League in walks and hits per inning pitched (1.00), second in innings pitched (229 1/3), and third in strikeouts (223). The starting rotation needed a top pitcher, so the Diamondbacks acquired right handed starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, 26, from the Detroit Tigers. Jackson broke out in 2009 with Detroit, his third team in seven major league seasons. He went 13-9 with a 3.62 earned run average. He will form a scary trio with Webb and Haren in 2010.

Arizona had a disappointing 2009 season. But, if Webb can return back to his old form, the Diamondbacks can get back to the playoffs.

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