COLORADO ROCKIES (75-87), 3RD, NL WEST
uSeason snapshot: The Rockies made progress toward becoming a competitive team, perhaps even a playoff contender, despite finishing under .500 for the sixth year in a row. The emergence of whose ace potential made him the No. 3 selection of the 2013 draft, gave Colorado a build-around pitcher for the first time in years. Gray, 24, made 29 starts in his first full major league season, registered 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings and compiled a 4.61 ERA that was slightly better than league average when adjusted for ballpark and league. tied for the league lead in homers with 41 and led the majors in RBI with 133. hit .348 to win his first batting title, and
.324 average was fourth in the league. Rookie shortstop hit 27 home runs in 97 games before a thumb injury ended his season.
uWhat now: The stockpiling of arms must continue, improving the franchise’s odds of building enough pitching to weather a full season. If the Rockies are ever to win the National League West — they’re 0-for-24 in that quest — they probably will have to assemble a deep, capable cast of pitchers from Class AA up through the big-league staff. While looking for a new manager (Walt Weiss’ resignation was announced Monday), general manager
will try to upgrade a bullpen that finished at or near the bottom in several categories. A surplus of outfielders might lead him explore the trade market for outfielder whose contract expires after the 2017 season. Arenado, 25, is under team control for three more seasons.
uFree agent focus: Rockies players who can become free agents in November include catcher utility man first baseman and reserve outfielder They need an upgrade at first base, where they finished three from the league’s bottom in home runs despite the inflationary effects of Coors Field. uProspects Shortstop was voted the low Class A South Atlantic League’s outstanding MLB prospect after batting .281 with 19 home runs. Rodgers, 20, is capable of playing other spots, potentially allowing him to join Story in the lineup someday. Several other rookies showed promise, including starting pitchers and outfielder and catchers reliever Tom Krasovic and