Predicting opening lineup
SCOTTSDALE , ARIZ.» The Cactus League has barely begun, but the Rockies’ 2021 roster is almost set.
The club is unlikely to add any big-league players, and unless it pulls off a spring surprise and trades star shortstop Trevor Story, Colorado will head into the April 1 opener against the Dodgers with the players they now have in camp.
Injuries, or a breakout performance from a young player, such as infielder Colton Welker, could change things.
The Rockies plan to go with
five starters and eight relievers, leaving 13 position players on the 26-man roster. Here’s a projection of who will fill those 13 spots:
Catcher
Elias Diaz and rookie Dom Nunez form the battery. The Rockies want more offense from their catchers while hoping the duo can provide the defense and game-calling skills that manager Bud Black covets from his catchers.
They’ll have to improve behind the plate to replace the departed Tony Wolters, who ranked third among all National League catchers in stolen-base runs saved since 2016.
Key number: .551, Colorado catchers’ OPS, last in the NL in 2020
First base
This remains a three-man competition between C.J. Cron, Josh Fuentes and Grandview High graduate Greg Bird. The loss of third baseman Nolan Arenado’s power means that Cron’s homer potential gives him the inside track to win the job. Cron hit 30 home runs with Tampa in 2018 and 25 with Minnesota in ’19 despite being slowed by a right thumb injury. Fuentes, an excellent fielder, is intent on winning the job but he might end up being a utility player. Plus, he still has minor league options.
Key number: .316, batting average for Fuentes last September, including two homers, five doubles and 17 RBIs.
Second base
The club will give Brendan Rodgers, the third overall pick in the 2015 draft, every chance to win the starting job.
“You haven’t seen me, be me. I’m ready to be me and get out there and show people what I’m capable of,” Rodgers said early in camp.
Since making his big-league debut on May 17, 2019, at age 22, Rodgers has hit just .196 with a .235 on-base percentage in 97 atbats. Injuries have prevented him from being able to gain any traction.
If Rodgers can’t get the job done this spring, Ryan McMahon could move back to second base, leaving third base open, perhaps for Fuentes. Or the versatile Garrett Hampson could see significant time at second.
Key number: 16, home runs from Rockies’ second basemen last season, best in the NL. McMahon, who also played first base, hit nine homers.
Third base
Black reiterated again Wednesday that McMahon is the preferred starter, saying that playing McMahon there gives Colorado its best infield. McMahon grew up as a third baseman and he’s most comfortable at that position.
McMahon, of course, is replacing Arenado, one of baseball’s premier players.
“I’m not intimidated by what’s next,” McMahon said. “If I go out there and try to be Nolan, I don’t think I’m going to have a lot of success. My goal is just to be the best Ryan McMahon I can be. And I think Nolan made me a better third baseman just by watching him.”
Key number: .890, Arenado’s OPS over the last eight seasons when he hit .293 and averaged 35 home runs and 114 RBIs per 162 games.
Left field
Raimel Tapia, who has incrementally improved as a fielder over the last three seasons, is the likely starter. Tapia, a left-handed hitter, finished seventh in the NL with a .321 average last season. He projects as the leadoff hitter and does not have power.
Key number: 7, the number of home runs Colorado got from the left-field position last season, tied for last in the NL.
Centerfield
It’s a competition between Sam Hilliard and Hampson for the starting job, though Hilliard can play any outfield position and Hampson is a solid infielder.
Hilliard has thunder in his bat and Colorado’s offense could sure use it. But he’s got to prove he can cut down on his 36.8% strikeout rate. Hampson needs to improve his .287 on-base percentage. Both players have the speed to cover Coors Field’s expansive outfield.
Key number: 45, the percentage of Hilliard’s hits last season that went for extra-base hits (10 of 22) — six home runs, two triples, two doubles.
Right field
Veteran Charlie Blackmon, 34, remains a terrific hitter. He hit .303 last season.
Black will like to get Blackmon off his feet from time to time, meaning that Hilliard could see time in right. Colorado’s best allaround gloveman in the outfield is Yonathan Daza, and he’s out of options, so a solid spring should win him the last spot on the 26man roster.
Key number: .375, Blackmon’s batting average vs. left-handed pitchers, the highest average in the majors for a left-handed batter vs. southpaws.
Bench
This could very well change by the season opener, and will no doubt change throughout the season, but as it stands now the Rockies’ bench would be comprised of utility player Chris Owings, Fuentes, Hilliard and Daza.
Key number: .186, batting average for Rockies pinch hitters a year ago, 11th in the NL.