Notable Additions: Jacob Stallings, Cal Quantrill, Bradley Zimmer
Notable Losses: Chris Flexen, Chase Anderson, Brent Suter
The Rockies haven’t made the playoffs and finished above .500 since 2018. Recruiting pitchers and developing them in Colorado has always been challenging. The Rockies best chance to contend is to get great hitters and serviceable pitching. Unfortunately, right now, they do not have either.
Projected Starters
C: Elias Diaz
1B: Kris Byrant
2B: Brendon Rodgers
3B: Ryan McMahon
SS: Ezequiel Tovar
LF: Nolan Jones
CF: Brenton Jones
RF: Sean Bouchard
DH: Charlie Blackmon
The Rockies have serviceable hitters in this lineup, but none are game-changers. Kris Bryant has dealt with the injury bug since signing with Colorado. Blackmon is not getting younger. Ryan McMahon is a solid hitter who can hit around a .250 with 20 home runs, but that alone won’t get the Rockies over the hump. Last year, four qualified hitters had an OPS above .700. The Rockies ranked 20th in team OPS, which is unsurprising considering where they play. They have respectable hitters but need more if they want to contend. Hitting Ranking 4/10.
Projected Starting Rotation
Cal Quantrill
Kyle Freeland
Austin Gomber
Dakota Hudson
Ryan Feltner
Pitching is usually not the Rockies’ strong suit, and this unit will likely continue that trend. Colorado’s ace, German Marquez, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and will probably not pitch until September. That leaves newly acquired Cal Quantrill to lead this staff. Even though Quantrill had his worst year for the Guardians in 2023, putting up a 5.24 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 19 starts, he’ll have to bring his A-game to improve a Rockies team that ranked last in team ERA last year. Pitching Ranking 2/10.
The Rockies only had 32 saves as a team last year. The best bet for a closer will be Justin Lawrence. Last year, he had a team-best 3.72 ERA and 3.76 FIP with a respectable 9.4 K/9. The closer role belongs to Lawrence until he loses it. It will be interesting to see if Daniel Bard has anything left in the tank coming off one of his worst years. Bullpen Ranking 1/10.
Sock’s 2 X-Factors
Kris Bryant: Having only played 112 games, hitting .259 with 15 home runs in two years since signing his 7-year 182 million dollar contract in 2022, Bryant’s tenure in Colorado has not been successful. However, I see his fortune turning around with a move to being a full-time first baseman. At 32, this is an excellent move to prolong his career and become the cornerstone the Rockies wanted him to be. Before moving to Colorado, Bryant had a 100 WRC+ or better yearly except in 2020. This will be the season where he returns to form.
Nolan Jones: Taking over for Bryant in left field is Nolan Jones. Jones, 25, in his rookie year, hit .297/.389/.542 with 20 home runs and a 135 WRC+, good enough for top 25 WRC+ in the MLB last season. Jones has the chance to shine in a full season, and 30 home runs is not out of the question for him. Don’t worry about the Coors field effect either; his OPS on the road was .935, while at home, it was .928. He’s found a home in Colorado and has settled in nicely.
Sleeper: Sean Bouchard While Bouchard only played 21 games last year in 2023, he made good use of his time, hitting .316/.372/.684 in 43 plate appearances. He is projected to be the Opening Day right fielder. He has the opportunity to add to his production in the Majors in 2024.
Prospects to Look Forward to
Chase Dollander: Drafted 9th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, Chase Dollander is a right-handed fireball pitcher whose fastball reaches 99 MPH. He has a pleasant mid-80s slider as his go-to breaking pitch, with a changeup and curveball as alternate weapons. His swing-and-miss capability is perfect for a Colorado Rockies pitcher. Rockies fans should be excited about his impending arrival to the majors.
Adael Amador: Amador was signed by the Rockies in 2020 and has been a promising prospect through his teen years. Having just turned 20 last April, he tore it up in rookie ball and high A before being promoted to Double-A and slowing down. Even though he only hit .187 in Double-A, Amador has shown great pose hitting from both sides of the plate. He still has a way to go before he finds himself in the Majors. Still, Amador could be the next great shortstop/second baseman for the Colorado Rockies.
GM For a Day
If I were the GM for the Rockies, I would look to sign Nolan Jones to a long-term extension. He showed great promise hitting at and away from Coors Field. Turning 26 in May, the Rockies could sign him to a relatively cheap contract given his age. I would give him an 8-year/90-million-dollar deal with club options near the end.
Projected Finish: 60-102, 5th in the NL West, 15th in the NL
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