Colorado Rockies 2015 Crystal Ball: Charlie Culberson

Jun 22, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Charlie Culberson (23) hits a single during the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

As the season gets underway, RoxPile.com is making some fun (but completely unqualified!) predictions about how members of the Colorado Rockies will fare this summer. In this edition: Charlie Culberson.

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Charlie Culberson spent the entire season in the big leagues last year, sticking on the Colorado Rockies bench despite failing to hit all year long and finishing with a completely ineffective slash line (.195/.253/.290) and peripherals (62:12 strikeout to walk ratio and a 26.6% strikeout rate in just 233 plate appearances).

Now, he finds himself beginning the season on the 60-day disabled list as he rehabilitates from a back injury, having lost his active roster spot to switch-hitting Rafael Ynoa and newcomer Daniel Descalso.

Will we see Culberson back in Denver this year? Or is the long-term injury issue, combined with his very poor season last summer, going to prevent him from finding his way back to the Rockies at some point this summer?

What The Numbers Say

FanGraphs lists various projection systems, which you can learn more about here.

None of the various projection systems believe Culberson will have much of an impact with the Rockies this summer, each pegging him to play in just over a dozen games with slightly more than 50 plate appearances on the season.

Effectively, despite better slash line projections (each believe he will hit above .250), Culberson seems to have lost his job on the big league squad to Ynoa and Descalso, and nobody expects him to see extended time in Denver this summer.

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Best-Case Scenario

Culbeson was a viable back-up in limited action in 2013, slashing .293/.317/.404 in just 100 plate appearances with the Rockies. He hasn’t had tons of big league experience, save his poor season in 2014, but if he could somehow repeat 2013 in a larger sample size he could represent a solid backup infielder who can play all four positions, and the outfield in a pinch.

Worst-Case Scenario

We’ve seen Culberson’s worst-case scenario. Remember 2014? I can’t imagine him getting another opportunity to do that in the future, though I suppose you never know. But if the bench gets thin and Culberson is the only option, his high strikeout and low walk rates, combined with his very low on-base percentages and poor defensive statistics, would make him a back-up black hole.

Crystal Ball

I don’t think we will see very much of Charlie Culberson in the big leagues ever again (at least, not with the Rockies). With Rafael Ynoa and Daniel Descalso on the big league roster, and Christhian Adames and Angelys Nina currently working in Albuquerque, I don’t believe Culberson should be seen as a viable utility option moving forward with the Rockies.

Expect him to get healthy, eventually, and spend time with the Isotopes this summer, but don’t expect to see him in Denver again.

Give us your predictions!

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