Owner Dick Monfort hopes the Rockies are good enough to improve from a 68-94 (.419) ballclub last season to a .500 one (81-81) this season. It’s a modest goal, but given that the oddsmakers peg the Rockies as a 66-win team, it would be a quantum leap.
Here are five key players the Rockies need to rise to get to .500:
Kris Bryant: Injuries to his back and foot limited the four-time All-Star to 42 games last season, his first with the Rockies after signing a seven-year, $182 million contract. He’s a .279 career hitter with a .879 OPS. He hit 39 homers in his 2016 MVP season with the Cubs. If he can stay healthy, hit close to .300 (aided by Coors Field) and launch 30-plus homers, Colorado will get a huge boost.
German Marquez: Two years ago he was a first-time All-Star and seemed on the verge of becoming a bona fide ace. But he was bad in the second half of 2021 and last season scuffled to a 9-13 record with a 4.95 ERA with 30 home runs served up. Marquez pitched very well in spring training (0.53 ERA) and seems to have rediscovered his fastball command. The Rockies need 30-plus starts and a sub-4.00 ERA from the right-hander.
Daniel Bard: The closer was remarkable last season. He posted a 1.79 ERA and his 91.9 save percentage (34 saves, 37 opportunities) was the best in majors. In 29 games at Coors Field, he had a 1.97 ERA and opponents slashed just .170/.266/.295 with two home runs. Colorado needs close to a repeat feat this season, but Bard was scary wild in the World Baseball Classic and his fastball velocity was down during spring training.
Catcher Elias Diaz: Drew Romo is the catcher of the future but Diaz is what the Rockies have right now. Diaz needs to turn things around, ASAP. In 2021, he put together a strong two-thirds of a season, slashing .283/.346/.550 with 17 doubles, one triple and 40 RBIs from June 1 through the end of the season. But last season he slashed .228/.281/.368 with just nine homers. His 11 errors were the most among all catchers.
Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar: “Mature beyond his years” is the phrase attached to the 21-year-old who’s seen as a potential Gold Glove winner in the future. For now, the Rockies simply want him to grow as a big-league fielder and captain of the infield. Tovar made his major league debut Sept. 23 vs. San Diego and played nine games, slashing .212/.257/.333. He hit his first home run in Game 162, at Dodger Stadium off future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. At 21 years and 53 days old, Tovar became the youngest position player to make his debut in franchise history. There will be growing pains, especially at the plate, but the Rockies think he can be a National League rookie-of-the-year candidate.
Rockies Opening Day roster
Catchers: Elias Diaz, Brian Serven
First base: C.J. Cron
Second base: Ryan McMahon
Third base: Elehuris Montero
Shortstop: Ezequiel Tovar
Outfield: Jurickson Profar (LF), Yonathan Daza (CF), Kris Bryant (RF)
Designated hitter: Charlie Blackmon
Bench/Utility: Harold Castro, Mike Moustakas, Alan Trejo
Starting pitchers: RHP German Marquez, LHP Kyle Freeland, LHP Austin Gomber, RHP Jose Urena, RHP Ryan Feltner
Relief pitchers: RHP Daniel Bard (closer), RHP Pierce Johnson, RHP Dinelson Lamet, LHP Brad Hand, LHP Brent Suter, RHP Justin Lawrence, LHP Ty Blach, RHP Connor Seabold
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