Forecasting Colorado’s rotation, and other lingering questions
Unfinished business. That was the state of the Rockies as spring training came to an abrupt and unsatisfying end because of the spread of the coronavirus. When the players will next come together as a full team, and when they will play games that count, remains to be seen. It appears likely that the regular season will not start until some point in May.
For Colorado’s marquee players, such as third baseman Nolan Arenado, shortstop Trevor Story and No. 1 pitcher German Marquez, spring training was all about tuning up for the real deal.
Not so for many others, and key questions remain for a team trying to rebound from a 91-loss season. Here are my answers to those lingering questions, once baseball resumes:
The
first four are locked in place: right-handers Jon Gray, Antonio Senzatela and Marquez, along with left-hander Kyle Freeland. The fifth starter, in my opinion, will be right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez. Manager Bud Black likes his toughness, focus, ability to get groundball outs and growing confidence. armed with a new delivery, looked better as spring went on, but his inconsistency remains an issue. He’s out of minor-league options, but the Rockies value his talent, so unless he is traded I think he’ll make the 26-man roster as a long reliever and emergency starter.
Lambert, who is dealing with “forearm tightness,” is likely to be shelved for a while. The Rockies are crossing their fingers that Tommy John surgery is not required. Lambert was probably going to begin the season at Triple-a Albuquerque. Jimenez, trying to make a comeback after two years away from the majors, looks rusty. Expect him to begin the season at Triple-a if he chooses to continue his comeback attempt.
will be Elias Diaz, the former Pirates backstop. Judging by the amount of playing time he’s received during Cactus League games, and his talents as a hitter, he gets the nod ahead of Drew Butera. Diaz, however, doesn’t know the Rockies’ pitching staff as well as Butera, so the situation could change, especially given the limited amount of time Diaz has had to work with the staff.
dominated the way Story did in 2016, but a number of players impressed, thus increasing their chances to make the team. Veteran utility player Chris Owings, who hit .360 in the Cactus League with a .939 OPS, has also flashed the kind of veteran stability in the field that Black covets. Owings, a nonroster invitee, looks like a lock to make the roster.
allowed no runs over six innings while striking out six and walking two. Yes, Cactus League stats can be misleading, especially in such a limited sample size, but Kinley’s slider is a big-league weapon and he attacks hitters.
fielder Sam Hilliard. Coming off an excellent September, he has struggled at the plate this spring, hitting .176 with a .222 on-base percentage with 12 strikeouts in 34 at-bats. Hilliard might have been pressing a little bit. Given two more weeks of Cactus League play, he might have snapped out of his funk. As it stands now, he’s probably headed back to Triple-a.
Patrick Saunders: psaunders @denverpost.com or @psaundersdp