Will Hilliard or Rodgers make big splash in 2020?
Q: Do the Rockies have any young prospects who could make a big splash this season like Trevor Story did a few years back? Sam Hilliard could put up some big numbers, especially in this shortened season.
— Angelo, Denver
Patrick: Angelo, you picked a good rookie to focus on. Hilliard could be primed for a breakout season, either as an outfielder or possibly as a designated hitter. Tuesday, in fact, I asked hitting coach Dave Magadan about Hilliard and he gushed over Hilliard’s potential.
I’m also curious to see if Brendan Rodgers, who’s now fully recovered from shoulder surgery last July, can fulfill his potential. He certainly has talent — Nolan Arenado told me he thinks Rodgers has one of the best natural swings he’s ever seen – but now Rodgers has to prove himself.
Q: Hey Patrick, it is wonderful to be talking about actual baseball being played again. However, after reading Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle’s comments on COVID-19 testing and their workouts being shutdown, I am worried that the virus could get out of control in MLB clubhouses. What do you think are the chances that the season/playoffs gets played in its entirety?
— Aaron Hurt, Omaha, Neb.
Patrick: Hey Aaron, how is hot and sticky Omaha?
I’m also worried about the virus shutting baseball down for the season. It’s a very real possibility.
But I really do believe that Major
League Baseball is doing everything it can to play the game safely. Will it be enough? I don’t know.
This is what Denver Post sports columnist Sean Keeler wrote last week:
“Buster Olney is not a scientist. He’s not an alarmist, either. In a world of shouters and bloviators, the longtime ESPN baseball reporter is as level as a pool table.
So when the man puts the odds of starting the MLB season at 5% and the odds of baseball crowning a champion at 0%, it’s not something hurled at Twitter with the hope it sticks. It’s a warning.”
I’m not nearly that pessimistic. After watching a few days of Rockies practice at Coors Field and talking to multiple players, I’m impressed with how seriously everyone is taking pandemic.
Bottom line: I think there will be a season, despite some rough patches.
Q: What’s the plan with Brendan Rodgers? Does he start? Is he a platoon guy? He’s supposedly our best prospect, but he seems caught behind several players on the big league roster: Trevor Story, Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson. Will he finally get a chance in 2020?
— Rob Smith, Colorado Springs
Patrick: Rob, as I mentioned, Rodgers is fully healed from his shoulder surgery. He’s a natural shortstop, but he’s not supplanting Story at short. Nor is he dislodging McMahon at second base.
However, if the Rockies use first baseman Daniel Murphy as a designated hitter and slide McMahon over to first base, that would open the door for Rodgers. I think Hampson is likely to be a utility player, given his ability to play the outfield.
Q: Is there a reason why there are so many night games on the schedule? I mean, will fans be allowed to attend? If not, I’d rather have a nice afternoon game on television to follow along while I work. I’m hardly able to stay awake for those late West Coast games as is.
— Ryan,
Patrick: Ryan, at this point, fans will not be allowed to attend games. Of course, this season it’s all about TV and the money that TV contract generates. That’s why most of the games during the 60-game season will be at night, because the ratings are much better. But I looked through the Rockies’ schedule and I counted 17 day games out 60. That pretty much measures up to a normal season, with day games on Sundays and on getaway days.