Arizona Diamondbacks Surprised by Bold ZiPS Projections
Dan Szymborski’s annual ZiPS projections are always an eagerly anticipated event in the baseball community. Recently, the focus turned to the Arizona Diamondbacks, where Szymborski unveiled his projections with a particularly eye-catching section: the Top Near-Age Offensive Comps. This feature provides a fascinating glimpse into the potential trajectories of players by comparing them to historically significant figures, using statistical models that pull from a vast database of over 300,000 players.
Understanding the ZiPS Methodology
At the core of Szymborski’s ZiPS projections lies a meticulous process. First, he establishes a baseline performance for each player, leaning heavily on recent data to inform his analysis. From there, he identifies comparable players, referred to as “comps,” focusing specifically on offensive attributes. As Szymborski elaborates, these comparisons serve to illuminate where a player currently stands and where they might head in the future. “The comps are for the baseline ‘where the player currently is,'” he explained. “So ZiPS starts with a baseline for a player, and then compares it to every similarly calculated baseline in the database.”
Highlighting the Most Intriguing Comparisons
For the Diamondbacks, this year’s projections yielded some particularly striking comparisons. The following are the top five most interesting offensive comps associated with key players in the organization. It’s important to note that the statistics provided do not reflect the actual projections for the comparable players, but rather their performance in the seasons leading up to the forecast year.
Corbin Carroll, Age 25
Corbin Carroll’s ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. After clinching the NL Rookie of the Year title in 2023, he rebounded from a challenging first half in 2024 to re-establish himself as one of the league’s premier outfielders. His selection to the NL All-Star team speaks volumes about his impact and potential in the coming years.
The projections suggest that Carroll remains on a trajectory that could see him joining the ranks of some all-time greats, further solidifying his status as a cornerstone for the Diamondbacks.
As fans and analysts alike digest these projections, the excitement surrounding Carroll and his peers only intensifies. For more insights into how these forecasts will shape the Diamondbacks’ future, readers can visit the projection page linked earlier or explore additional summaries that delve into the team’s outlook for 2026.
In a league where every season brings new challenges and opportunities, the Diamondbacks’ projections serve as a reminder that the future is bright for this franchise, driven by youthful talent and the promise of what lies ahead.
