Arizona Diamondbacks

It's not always easy to be optimistic for 2015 when your team finished the previous season with the worst record in MLB.

However, the Arizona Diamondbacks are not a typical last-place-caliber team. With most of the team returning strong, along with several key offseason acquisitions, anything less than an improvement from 2014 would be a disappointment.

Here are three reasons why the D-Backs should be optimistic as the 2015 season rapidly approaches.

The Diamondbacks have started well this spring despite tempered expectations in 2015. Entering Saturday, Arizona sported a 6-4 record and is one of only seven National League teams with a positive run differential (+4).

The Arizona Diamondbacks began spring training games Wednesday, the first step toward getting ready for the 2015 campaign. 

Several players have opened eyes thus far in limited time such as Walter Ibarra, Peter O'Brien, Rubby De La Rosa and Archie Bradley to name a few. 

On the other hand, several big-name players who are supposed to contribute greatly during the upcoming season have not performed as predicted.

About a week has gone by since spring training officially started for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A fresh start is exactly what's needed in the desert after producing the MLB's worst record in 2014.

Offseason acquisitions such as Yasmany Tomas and Jeremy Hellickson should have the fanbase confident that a turnaround isn't too far away.

Spring training is officially here. The Arizona Diamondbacks' pitchers and catchers reported to camp Feb. 19.

Coming off a season in which Arizona finished with the worst record in baseball, there are several under-the-radar players who have the potential to impress this spring.

The D-Backs are looking like a rebuilding team, making these players more likely to have an impact early on.

It was widely believed that top prospect Archie Bradley would spend most of the 2014 season in the major leagues, but an elbow injury in late April cut into his development and forced the organization to reassess his timeline. The right-hander looked better in this year’s Arizona Fall League, but he'll still have some questions to answer in the upcoming season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks needed to be active this offseason after an MLB-worst 64-98 record in 2014.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have spent a hefty sum of money to bring aboard a young Cuban talent with lots of upside.

No, this is not a delayed reaction to their signing of right-handed slugger Yasmany Tomas. The Diamondbacks have bagged another one: Yoan Lopez.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are feeling optimistic after an active offseason. Change was certainly expected following a season in which the D-Backs finished 64-98—worst in MLB.

With the addition of young pitching and Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas, the 2015 team has a new feel to it. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks enter 2015 with much uncertainty regarding their starting rotation.

According to the depth chart, Josh Collmenter is listed as the team's top starting pitcher. He is followed by Rubby De La Rosa, Jeremy Hellickson, Allen Webster and Vidal Nuno.