Exhibition Gameday Thread #2: 4/2, Diamondbacks vs. Royals

1. Jean Segura, 2B
2. Chris Owings, CF
   
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. David Peralta, RF
5. Yasmany Tomás, DH
6. Jake Lamb, 3B
7. Brandon Drury, LF
8. Chris Herrmann, C
9. Nick Ahmed, SS
   + P Robbie Ray

Yes, that is Chris Owings making his first career start in center-field. I'm undecided whether this is lunacy, brilliance or a bit of both. I should mention this isn't something we should expect to see regularly: Hale stressed in his pre-game media chat that Brito would be the "everyday center fielder", but I can see the appeal of having an alternate when there's a tough left-hander on the mound. And, since we face Jorge De La Rosa, who is certainly a left-hander, on Monday... Could Owings be our Opening Day center-fielder? You'd have got long odds against that at this time last year. Hell, at any point before spring training...

It does speak to the lack of the team's confidence in other right-handed options, such as Jason Bourgeois. But, hey,  CF is easier to play than shortstop, isn't it? I'll tell you who would make a good center-fielder: Paul Goldschmidt. He'd simply work his ass off and become one: Hell, I'd be prepared to bet that, given a few weeks' practice, he could probably catch at replacement level. Let's hope that isn't necessary, however. Also interesting to note, Brandon Drury starting in left-field. If this game had been played yesterday, and I was Chip Hale, I'd probably have said "Screw it," and put Yasmany Tomas at short for some Grade-A level trolling...

Radio only for this game: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.