Spring is in the air and Cactus league baseball is in full swing. Every year spring training leaves my mouth watering for the season to begin and fills my head with questions. Number one this year has to be is Randy Johnson going to make it back? Having seen the better side of 40 AND having survived similar back surgery I know firsthand he has a tough road ahead of him. He definitely won’t be ready for opening day but will he make it back and will he be as dominant as in years past? Good Luck Randy, I’m pulling for you! Brandon Webb and Doug Davis give us a good anchor to the rotation, if they can both stay healthy and put down solid seasons we will be in the hunt this year. Micah Owings is looking good and I believe he will be a solid pitcher for year to come. As he matures he should be quite exciting to watch. I hope the off season trades work out to help solidify our starting rotation. Bob Melvin seems happy with the addition of Dan Heron and he did a good job in Sunday’s rainy game. As always the bullpen makes me nervous, it seems like a roller coaster ride, sometimes they’re hot sometimes they’re not. Would it be too much to ask for a group of guys who can put down solid innings and keep us in the game?  It would appear that the bats are warming up this spring, no real tremendous homers but a lot of good solid base hits. And yes championships can be won playing small ball, if you are consistent through the year and make every game count. Only 2 weeks left before we find out who made the cut this year and we get to see our beloved Diamondbacks in action again. Here’s to high hopes of another championship in the valley of the sun!!www.kentparker.info