It’s hard to blame Dan Haren for his 0-2 record based on how well he has pitched this season. Haren has started 2 games this season for the D-Backs and he has a 2.08 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP. Haren has only allowed 7 hits in 13 innings this season while whiffing 11 batters walking only 3. Haren should sue the hitters of the D-Backs for non-support but it’s likely that he will start picking up wins soon if he keeps pitching well.

The D-Backs have placed righty starting pitcher Brandon Webb on the 15-day disabled list due to soreness in his elbow and shoulder. He was very ineffective in his first start of the season on opening day as he worked 4 innings allowing 6 hits (2 homers), 6 earned runs and he walked 2 batters. The D-Backs will replace Webb in the starting rotation with righty Yusmeiro Petit. Petit has pitched in 1 game this season working 5 innings and allowing 3 hits, 3 earned runs and walking 2 batters while whiffing 6. Petit should do a decent job for the D-Backs but he is no Brandon Webb. The Diamondbacks can’t afford to be without Webb very long if they are to compete for the N.L. West in 2009.

21-year old righty swinging Justin Upton hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his potential. Upton played in 108 games for the D-Backs last year and he was 89 for 356 (.250 avg, .816 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 15 homers, 42 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He’s not as fast as his brother (B.J. of the Rays) but he might develop more power. Upton will need to improve on defense as he made a stunning 11 errors in 101 games in RF last season while showing poor range.

25-year old lefty swinging Alex Romero will likely get a chance to back up Upton in 2009. He played in 78 games for the D-Backs last season and he was 31 for 135 (.230 avg, .591 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 1 homer, 12 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Romero made 1 error in 38 games in RF last season while showing poor range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C-

25-year old righty swinging Chris Young is really turning into a quality CF for the D-Backs as he has power and speed. He played in 160 games for the D-Backs last season and he was 155 for 625 (.248 avg, .758 OPS) with 85 runs scored, 22 homers, 85 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Young only made 3 errors in 159 games for the D-Backs last season in CF and he showed below average range.

Veteran Eric Byrnes will likely be Young’s backup in 2009 but don’t expect him to get much playing time unless Young gets injured.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B

26-year old righty swinging Conor Jackson broke out last season. He converted to LF to replace an injured Eric Byrnes and he could hold him off to keep the job. Jackson played in 144 games last season for the D-Backs and he was 162 for 540 (.300 avg, .822 OPS) with 87 runs scored, 12 homers, 75 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Jackson made 3 errors in 77 games in LF last season while showing above average range.

33-year old righty swinging Eric Byrnes is a fan favorite on the D-Backs and that could cause some problems here if the team decides to go with Jackson over him in 2009. He only played in 52 games last season for the D-Backs and he was 43 for 206 (.209 avg, .541 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 6 homers, 23 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Byrnes has now played in 864 games in his major league career and he has a .263 batting average with a .771 OPS so look for him to rebound with the bat as long as he can stay healthy. Byrnes only made 1 error in 51 games in LF but he showed poor range most likely because of his health.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B