MLB Preview 2015: Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies 2014 Record: 66-96
Team Overview:
When two super stars are injured and you have no pitching to help it is easy to understand how the Rockies season spiraled. 2015 brings optimism with some young pieces the hopeful addition of a healthy Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki came out on fire with 21 home runs in his first 91 games. The now 30 year old ended his 2014 with hip surgery, and hasn’t played a full season since 2011. When he is in the lineup they are scoring at will but he needs to prove he can stay in the lineup. Carlos Gonzalez is coming off a strong run of great power and speed combination but his 2014 ended with knee surgery and only 70 games. They are the two relied upon stars and health will be vital with this team.
The team has done well surrounded the two with hitters. The outfield in which Gonzalez would lead does have depth as well with Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickeron, and Drew Stubbs. Blackmon is slated to lead off and that will be important to watch because he had a breakout first half, but brought it .350 average down to .283 by seasons end, Dickerson is the one with the most upside being only 25 and hitting .312 with 24 home runs. With all three projected starters being left handed a right handed Stubbs is a really nice option to come off the bench. It really isn’t the strongest defensive outfield, but it plays well to the altitude for sure.
The infield features a breakout candidate in Nolan Arenado. Arenado hit 18 home runs in only 111 games in what would be considered his rookie season. Arenado is only 23 and like the outfield, can play well to the altitude, but also brings a glove that may make him the third most valuable player on this team. Nick Hundley appears to be slotted to catch for defensive reasons, and that will slide Wilin Rosario into a platoon at first with Justin Moreneau for offensive reasons. You can really see that this team is going to go hard into trying to out score its opponents and when looking at the whole they really do have their options.
Their pitching will look to soon have some options, but as of the start of the season the whole looks dry. Having to sign Kyle Kendrick in late February to be your opening day starter can show a little desperation to the fact that the Rockies aren’t sure who they can trust at the moment. The core behind him is young but the pitchers they currently have who are MLB ready haven’t shown good MLB stuff. Jordan Lyles, Tyler Matzek, Chad Bettis and Christain Bergman could all be back end rotation guys but I don’t see the most upside despite them all being under 26. You can look to the Rockies bullpen as a strong one but when thinking about the pitching you have to go back to the lineup and think that they will be doing the heavy lifting.
What To Watch For?
Fortunately the Rockies have young prospects that may be able to help in the rotation. Eddie Butler was supposed to make his debut for the Rockies this opening day but shoulder injury will keep him out an unforeseeable time. They also have guys in AAA, Jon Gray and Tyler Anderson. Gray has even higher upside than Butler but at 23 the Rockies are being cautious in his progression through the system. Only time will tell when we see these two, and Butler in the rotation but I know the Rockies fans will be hoping soon rather than later. They also have veteran options like Jorge De La Rosa, Jair Jurgens, and Yohan Flande in the the case they want to hold off on the young pitchers. The two both finished last season in AA, but will now start in AAA so how the transition goes, and how they feel about them will take time, because these young pitchers in Colorado will tell you it isn’t the friendliest pitchers park.
Where Do They Rank?
You just cannot get past the pitching. I would like to see the young kids emerge but none are proven enough and the best of them don’t appear ready enough to be impactful. I hate to predict injury but Tulowitzki and Gonzalez will be vital and if they miss time, and don’t find help in pitching this team will finish 4th.
