Expectations are high in the Mile High City going into 2017 thanks to a big off-season from Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich. Not only did the Rockies hire Bud Black as skipper, they handed out a five-year, $70 million contract to Ian Desmond before signing relievers Greg Holland and Mike Dunn to fortify the bullpen.
As we approach the 2017 season, we’re previewing what’s ahead for each of the 30 MLB teams. The Colorado Rockies wrap up our series.
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Up-and-coming player to watch
Rookie shortstop phenom Trevor Story took the National League by storm one season ago, slugging his way into the record books with seven home runs in his first six major league games. Story went on to finish the season with a .909 OPS, blasting 27 homers in 97 games.
This year, the Rockies turn to the mound as they hope to catch lightning in a bottle once again. Entering his second full MLB season, Colorado will look to Jon Gray to lead its rotation. Gray was wildly inconsistent in 2016, seemingly alternating between great and terrible outings. When all was said and done, the right-hander finished with a 4.61 ERA across 29 starts.
The potential is there for the 25-year-old to take the next step, as his superb 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings rate suggests he has the swing-and-miss pitch arsenal required to succeed in the hitter-friendly Coors Field.
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What a successful season would look like
On paper, it looks like the National League West title will once again come down to a battle between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. While the Rockies will likely have to wait at least one more year to win their first division title, it’s not hard to fathom them contending for a wild-card berth, especially considering the potency of their offence.
Given the largest free agent contract the Rockies have ever forked over for a position player, Desmond broke his hand during spring training but is expected to make his debut before the end of April. The two-time all-star will be playing his third position in as many years as he is pencilled in as Colorado’s everyday first baseman one season after making the switch from shortstop to outfielder with the Texas Rangers.
If Desmond can replicate his 2016 numbers, he could take a roster already featuring the likes of Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and Story over the top.
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Biggest remaining question
With enough offensive firepower to strike fear into any opposing pitcher, the Rockies will have to hope their own arms hold up if they want to have a shot at the post-season. If the bats go cold for a stretch, can the pitching keep Colorado in close games?
The starting rotation certainly doesn’t blow you away at first glance, but there is upside there, especially in Gray and fellow sophomore Tyler Anderson, the latter of whom posted a very respectable 3.54 ERA in 114 innings a season ago. It’s a young group all the way through the staff, and they’ll need to answer the bell right away to keep the Rockies competitive.
Colorado’s biggest question mark has to be Holland, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery. He was one of MLB’s elite closers with the Kansas City Royals prior to his injury and Black will be banking on Holland to anchor a relief corps that finished 2016 with a league-worst 5.13 ERA.
