Diamondbacks Release World Series Roster

Jace Peterson has been added and Slade Cecconi removed

The Arizona Diamondbacks have announced their 2023 World Series roster ahead of tonight's game one against the Texas Rangers in Arlington Texase at 5:03 Arizona Time, 7:03 CST. 

The team has decided to go with 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Infielder Jace Peterson has been added and right-handed long man Slade Cecconi has been removed from the postseason roster. 

The #Dbacks have added Jace Peterson to the World Series roster and removed Slade Cecconi, so going with 12 pitchers pic.twitter.com/3IIHEjKPB4

— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) October 27, 2023

With a right handed dominated pitching staff that should open up a few more at bats for the left-hand batting Peterson. The Rangers only have one true left-handed starter on the roster in Jordan Montgomery. Andrew Heaney has been used as an opener or short starter and reliever.  Besides those two pitchers the Rangers  have three left handed relievers on their roster. 

Peterson came over the Oakland A's at the trade deadline to mostly play in a third base platoon. He did not hit well, batting just .183/.276/.258, .535 OPS in 106 Plate appearances.  He is a career .228 hitter with an 81 OPS+. The 33 year old played in two games in the division series against the Dodgers, getting one at bat, but was left off the NLCS roster. 

Peterson is known as a good clubhouse guy and works hard to help his teammates around him. Pavin Smith had credited Peterson with working with him in the batting cages prior to some big pinch hit at bats during the Championship round.  Peterson will now need to contribute on the field as well as third base has been an offensive black hole for the Diamondbacks all year. 

That trend as continued into the postseason as Evan Longoria is just 3 for 35, .135, with three RBI. Emmanuel Rivera is 2 for 12, .167 with one RBI. While it's unlikely that Peterson will be able to post much better numbers,  World Series history is rife with little known utility players coming up with big hits in big moments. Perhaps he can come through again like he did with his two triple game against the Reds on August 25th

Remember this Jace Peterson Highlight? His two triple game against the Reds on August 25th was instrumental to a 10-8 #Dbacks victory.
https://t.co/2Afq1bfeKd #MLBFilmRoom via @MLB

— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) October 27, 2023

Removing the rookie Cecconi gives the D-backs a little less long coverage in the pen should they need it. Cecconi appeared in the two games in the NLCS and allowed two hits and no runs. The team opted to keep right hander Ryne Nelson on the roster despite him giving up seven hits and three runs while recording just three outs thus far in the postseason.