The Colorado Rockies have made back-to-back postseasons for the first time in franchise history, which is something they are primed to pursue again this season.
Two years ago, the club got bounced in the Wild Card game by the Arizona Diamondbacks, while last year they advanced to the National League Division Series. There, the Rockies lost to a streaking Milwaukee Brewers team as Colorado’s bats went cold. Because of that, the Rockies got swept 3-0, which likely fuels this year’s team to avenge what occurred last season.
That feat began this offseason as Rockies’ General Manager Jeff Bridich and his staff embarked on making Colorado a contender once again in 2019.
Most people would argue that offense was the greatest thing the franchise needed to acquire this offseason, which they did by adding a veteran bat in Daniel Murphy. The signing of Murphy was Colorado’s only big move they made to upgrade their offense as the Rockies are banking on players they already have in place to have breakout seasons.
One of those players is Ryan McMahon, who will — most likely — slot in as the Rockies starting second baseman when they open the season in Miami. McMahon hit a scorching .424 in Spring Training to go along with three home runs and 14 RBIs. Not only did McMahon lead Colorado in hits with 25, but he also had a team-high nine doubles en route to a slugging percentage of .736.
McMahon has big shoes to fill with D.J. LeMahieu now in New York, but if his Spring Training is any indication, he should be just fine.
McMahon was not the only Rockies’ player that had a massive spring as Nolan Arenado had a .389 average to go along with five home runs and six doubles. Arenado could be in for a tremendous April as he continues to be one of the best players in baseball, which is great news for Colorado’s potential success.
Even though the Rockies did not add much in terms of offense over the Winter, if McMahon and Arenado continue their torrid pace on into the regular season, then Colorado is going to be just fine offensively.
The Rockies are also looking for a bounce-back year from Jon Gray, which could be huge for their pitching staff’s success this year.
After a down year last season, Gray slots in as the Rockies fourth pitcher with Kyle Freeland, German Marquez and Tyler Anderson ahead of him, with Chad Bettis rounding out the rotation. If Gray is able to pitch as he did in 2017 — 10-4 record and a 3.67 ERA — it could be huge for a Rockies’ pitching staff that might be the best the franchise has ever seen.
Colorado did not add any pitching this offseason because they did not need to. Their starters are already in place and enough has already been invested in the bullpen.
That bullpen is anchored by Wade Davis who had 43 saves in 49 opportunities last season. Other players that could play a huge part in the Rockies bullpen success are Scott Oberg and Seung-hwan Oh. Oberg had a phenomenal end to last season and followed it up with a great Spring Training as he should be Colorado’s main set-up man and long relief arm this season.
With the Rockies bench, they did add a bat with a familiar face, Mark Reynolds.
Colorado brought Reynolds back after one season in Washington, where he played 86 games and hit 13 home runs and drove in 40 runs. Reynolds’ solid season in Washington was enough for the Rockies to give him another look, which paid off as he is officially on Colorado’s Opening Day roster.
Murphy will start at first base for the Rockies, but the addition of Reynolds could be huge whenever Colorado needs a spot start or a veteran pinch-hitter late in ball games.
Other players who could have a solid contribution to the Rockies success this season are Garrett Hampson and Raimel Tapia.
Starting with Hampson, who had a solid Spring Training where hit .279, four home runs, and drove in nine runs. Hampson also had seven stolen bases as speed is the greatest thing he provides the Rockies off the bench, which could be huge when Colorado needs a pinch-runner late in ball games.
For Tapia, this is his fourth season in a Rockies uniform and he officially looks ready to be Colorado’s fourth outfielder this season. Tapia will occasionally get spot starts, providing the Rockies a solid left-handed bat off the bench.
With all the moves Colorado did — or did not — make this offseason, they are still in a window to compete this season.
The addition of Murphy could be big for Colorado’s offense, but so is the continued development of players already within the organization. The Rockies are banking on a lot of players they already have in place, which might not be a bad thing for the players that experienced an early exit from the playoffs last season.
Hopefully that fuels this Rockies club as they begin their playoff push on Thursday and beyond.
