A dozen questions with two weeks left of spring training
With the Rockies’ opening day a mere two weeks away, we already know most of the basics.
The first four members of the starting rotation, for example, are right-handers German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela and Jon Gray, along with lefty Kyle Freeland. Southpaw Austin Gomber, part of the Nolan Arenado trade, will almost certainly be the fifth starter.
But there are gobs of things we don’t know yet about the Rockies and a lot will be determined over the final 12 Cactus League games. Here are a dozen questions to ponder as we count down toward the April 1 opener vs. the Dodgers at Coors Field:
1. Will second baseman Brendan Rodgers, his young career already derailed by injuries, be able to fully recover from his strained hamstring in time to start on opening day?
2. C.J. Cron appears to be the choice at first base, so what does that mean in terms of playing time for Josh Fuentes?
3. The Rockies have discussed going with a short bench and having nine relievers in their bullpen. Will manager Bud Black actually go that direction early in the season?
4. Right-handed relievers Carlos Estevez and Jairo Diaz, counted on to be bullpen stalwarts, have both performed poorly this spring. Is that a red flag or simply part of the spring training process?
5. The Rockies wanted more offense from their catchers. In Cactus League action, at least, the duo of Elias Diaz (.455/.478/ .727 slash line) and Dom Nunez (.412/.444/.706) has produced.
But can the two provide the defense, leadership and nuances behind the plate that the team needs?
6. Outfielder Yonathan Daza, who’s out of options, has once again had a terrific spring, but has it been enough to earn him a roster spot?
7. Will backup first base candidate Greg Bird’s poor Cactus League stats (.148/.250./.259, one homer, three RBIs in 27 at-bats) keep him off the roster, even though the Rockies like his power potential and would like a lefty bat off the bench?
8. Right-hander Scott Oberg has pitched well in his two Cactus
League appearances (no runs, two hits, three strikeouts, no walks), but he’s being monitored closely after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery last September to prevent the return of blood clots in his right arm. Will the Rockies hold him off the opening-day roster as a precaution?
9. Is right-hander Yency Almonte ready to step into an eighth-inning role?
10. Will the Rockies send Rule 5 pick Jordan Sheffield (who’s struggled with command issues) back to the Dodgers and add lefty Ben Bowden (who has options) to the bull
pen?
11. Will the Rockies split time in center field between Garrett Hampson and Sam Hilliard, or will Hampson get the bulk of the playing time?
12. Is there a chance that versatile Connor Joe (.400/.556/ .950, two home runs) opens the season on the 26-man roster or does he begin at Triple-A Albuquerque and get called up as needed?