Bush League Chatter

HOW’S ARE THINGS LOOKING?

The Colorado Rockies appear to be stagnant in terms of improvement over the past five years. Despite having top draft picks and prospects, none have truly excelled. However, they do have four top 100 prospects poised to debut in the majors within the next two years. Since their 2018 playoff run with 91 wins, led by manager Bud Black, the team’s performance has steadily declined.

PITCHING STAFF

One might question if the identity of the Rockies’ pitchers truly matters. The team may never produce a Cy Young winner, especially not this year. Their rotation, comprising Kyle Freeland, Cal Quantrill, Austin Gomber, Ryan Felter, and Dakota Hudson, consists of relatively unknown names. Moreover, pitching at Coors Field presents a unique challenge, with the altitude typically resulting in an additional two home runs per game. The Rockies ranked poorly in various pitching metrics last season, including ERA, WHIP, average against, runs, hits, and strikeouts. To combat this, the team should target pitchers adept at strikeouts and inducing ground balls. Recruiting top talent may prove difficult due to the altitude factor. The bullpen doesn’t offer much promise either, necessitating the Rockies to score at least eight runs per game at home to secure wins.

HITTING SITUATION

Unfortunately, the current lineup struggles to deliver eight runs per game. They ranked in the bottom third for scoring last season and 26th in home runs, a dismal statistic given their high-altitude home games. Kris Bryant and Charlie Blackmon, once premier players, have seen a decline due to injuries and age. Ryan McMahon, with a .240 batting average, 23 home runs, and 70 RBIs, might be the team’s best hitter, though his performance doesn’t fully reflect that title. Brendan Rodgers, a former top prospect, has failed to meet expectations thus far. The standout performer remains Nolan Jones, who had a solid 2023 season.

PROJECTION

With only 2-3 reliable hitters, often plagued by injuries, and a dismal pitching staff, the Rockies are projected to struggle. It’s unlikely they’ll win more than 65 games, with a projected record of 62-100.

Sources: MLB.com, ESPN.com, Rotochamp.com, Fangraphs.com, BaseballReference.com, ChatGPT.com