We will try to predict the Colorado Rockies roster in view of the coming opening day matchup versus the San Diego Padres. Being one of the most important teams in Colorado sports they are obviously a headliner for anyone who loves baseball in the state.
Of course, injuries, trades, and even standout performances during training camp can change the lineup, but as of right now, the Colorado Rockies roster resembles that of the 2022 season, which ended with a 68–94 record.
Kris Bryant, the former National League MVP, must remain healthy for the Colorado Rockies’ lineup to be deeper and more effective. For those who may not recall, Bryant signed a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Colorado Rockies prior to the last season, but he was only able to play in 42 games due to injuries.
So, let’s start with what should be the Colorado Roster next season.
Crushed. pic.twitter.com/EYysRWlIjX
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) February 27, 2023
Starting Rotation
Kyle Freeland – Left-Handed pitcher, 29 years old, 9-11 record, 4.53 ERA 1.41 WHIP
Austin Gomber – Left-Handed pitcher, 29 years old, 5-7 record, 5.56 ERA 1.37 WHIP
German Marquez – Right-Handed pitcher, 28 years old, 9-13 record, 4.95 ERA 1.37 WHIP
José Urena – Right-Handed pitcher, 31 years old, 3-8 record, 5.01 ERA 1.57 WHIP
Ryan Feltner – Right-Handed pitcher, 26 years old, 4-9 record, 5.83 ERA 1.41 WHIP
After undergoing ACL surgery on his left knee, right-handed pitcher Antonio Senzatela is anticipated to return to the starting lineup sometime in March. Whether the Rockies will use a six-man rotation or not will depend on time and circumstances.
Connor Seabold (right-handed pitcher, Red Sox), Jeff Criswell (right-handed pitcher, Oakland A), and Peter Lambert (return from injury) will all compete for a spot in the rotation.
T.J. Zeuch, a former first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays, will also have a chance to showcase his skills during the camp thanks to a minor-league contract.
Lambert is back!
📻 @KOAColorado pic.twitter.com/4tiM7oD9GK
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) February 27, 2023
Bullpen
Pierce Johnson – Right-Handed pitcher, 31 years old, 1.53 WHIP
Daniel Bard – Right-Handed pitcher, 37 years old, 0.99 WHIP, 34 Saves
Brent Suter – Left-Handed pitcher, 33 years old, 1.20 WHIP
Lucas Gilbreath – Left-Handed pitcher, 26 years old, 1.47 WHIP
Jake Bird – Right-Handed pitcher, 27 years old, 1.43 WHIP
Justin Lawrence – Right-Handed pitcher, 28 years old, 1.55 WHIP
Dinelson Lamet – Right-Handed pitcher, 30 years old, 1.52 WHIP
Nick Mears – Right-Handed pitcher, 26 years old, 1.00 WHIP
Colorado’s bullpen will remain a work in progress. Pierce Johnson will most likely serve as the main set-up man, with Daniel Bard serving as the closer.
The Colorado Rockies’ bullpen will feature two left-handed pitchers in Brent Suter and Lucas Gilbreath. The Rockies’ bullpen should be completed by Jake Bird, Justin Lawrence, Dinelson Lamet, and Nick Mears.
At the camp, Fernando Abad, Logan Allen, Josh Rogers, Gavin Hollowell, and Phillips Valdez will all have the chance to compete for a spot on the roster.
#Rockies LHP Lucas Gilbreath was highly effective last year before a forearm/elbow area injury that required a PRP injection. Gilbreath had a healthy offseason. pic.twitter.com/JjhwUvrl6T
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) February 19, 2023
Catchers
Elias Díaz – 32 years old – .228/.281/.649
Brian Serven – 27 years old – .203/.261/.593
Díaz and Serven ought to be the catchers for the upcoming season, barring an injury. Prospect Drew Romo might be brought up if necessary.
Díaz will need to improve after a disappointing 2022 campaign in which he hit just 9 home runs as opposed to 17 the season before.
Nice showing for #Rockies catcher Drew Romo, who is 2-for-2 so far with a single, triple and stolen base pic.twitter.com/s4VGnq22hp
— Danielle Allentuck (@d_allentuck) February 26, 2023
First Base
C.J. Cron – 33 years old – .257/.315/.783
One of the best players in 2022, the Colorado Rockies will once again start C.J. Cron at first base in the next season. The Rockies need Cron to return to his previous form after he struggled in the second half of the season because of a wrist injury.
With 29 home runs, Cron finished the season as the player with the 24th-highest HR total.
Second Base
Brendan Rodgers – 26 years old – .266/.325/.733
Brendan Rodgers, a first-round pick in 2015, put together a very strong season with 13 home runs after overcoming an April slump and winning his first National League Glove award. The Colorado organization has no doubt that Rodgers can become an All-star if he improves his consistency at the plate.
Shortstop
Ezequiel Tovar – 21 years old – .212/.257/.590
Ezequiel Tovar is listed as the 25th best prospect in MLB by the MLB pipeline top 100. Ezequiel Tovar has the Rockies’ starting shortstop job to lose after his 33 at-bats in the majors last year. The Colorado Rockies have faith in the young player’s potential.
Third Base
Ryan McMahon – 28 years old – .246/.327/.741
After signing a six-year, $70 million contract with the Colorado Rockies, McMahon truly struggled at the plate and in the field last season. Yet, the Rockies are confident in his abilities and are looking forward to seeing him knock over 25 home runs and strengthen his defense.
Outfield
Kris Bryant – 31 years old – .306/.376/.851
Yonathan Daza – 28 years old – .301/.349/.733
As long as Kris Bryant is healthy this season, he should cover the Left Field position, and Yonathan Daza will play Center Field with Randal Grichuk also playing there sometimes. Both players are strong hitters, as evidenced by their respective numbers.
The Rockies’ right field position is now in doubt because Randal Grichuk will probably miss the season opener due to surgery. Due to his injuries, the Rockies might consider giving a chance to first baseman/right fielder Michael Toglia or prospect Brenton Doyle. Charlie Blackmon, 36, will also participate in a few games in that right field.
Designated Hitter
Charlie Blackmon – 36 years old – .264/.314/.733
There is little question that Charlie Blackmon will play as the Rockies’ regular designated hitter, but as it was already mentioned above, the veteran will also get some time in right field, particularly with the injury to Grichuk.
Bench/ Utility players
Harold Castro – 29 years old – .271/.300/.681
Elehuris Montero – 24 years old – .233/.270/.702
Sean Bouchard – 26 years old – .297/.454/.954
Brenton Doyle – 24 years old – .256/.300/.773
Michael Toglia – 24 years old – .216/.275/.653
The injury to Randal Grichuk created a spot for a player like Harold Castro, who can play both middle infield and outfield. In order to secure a seat on the bench, Alan Trejo, a capable fielder who improved offensively last year, may as well compete.
Due to his power, Montero ought likely to have a spot on the bench. Keep in mind that he was acquired by the Rockies in the trade that saw third baseman Nolan Arenado move from Colorado to the St. Louis Cardinals.
For the right field position, Bouchard’s experience may give him the edge over Doyle and Toglia, but don’t write off the young players.
So, what can we really expect from the Rockies this season?
Looking at the competition the Rockies will face, their chances aren’t high. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost Trea Turner but still have talents like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and newly acquired DH JD Martinez, are in a very competitive NL West division with the Colorado Rockies.
The San Diego Padres, who will get Fernando Tatis Jr. back this season and add him to a lineup that already includes Juan Soto, Manny Machado, and the new Red Sox acquisition, Xander Bogaerts, will likely be the division favorite.
And then there are the San Francisco Giants, who had a difficult free agency and were unable to sign Carlos Correa owing to some health issues and also failed to sign Aaron Judge.
With guys like Brandon Crawford and Michael Conforto as well as two new pitchers in Sean Manaea and Ross Stripling, the Giants are still a very solid squad.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are the final member of this division and, like the Rockies, are an outsider. Varsho, a fantastic outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for catcher Gabriel Moreno, a top-5 prospect in the MLB, and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Final Thoughts
In order for the Rockies to attempt to improve upon their 68-94 record from the previous year, Kris Bryant must remain healthy in order to support the squad.
The Rockies’ primary goal this year would likely be to finish ahead of the Diamondbacks in a division that we anticipate the Padres to win, with the Dodgers perhaps making a Wild Card game.
Credits on Featured Image: Thelastcanadian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
