Colorado Rockies News and Notes: Coaching Update and More

May 31, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray (55) delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray (55) delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are the latest news and notes from the Colorado Rockies.

Coaching update

The Rockies officially announced on Tuesday morning what we had heard as rumors for quite some time about their coaching staff for the 2017 season. Here’s the official announcement.

The Colorado Rockies announced today that Third Base Coach Stu Cole, Pitching Coach Steve Foster and Bullpen Coach Darren Holmes will return to the team’s coaching staff for the 2017 season.

Hitting Coach Blake Doyle, Catching and Defensive Positioning Coach Rene Lachemann, Bench Coach Tom Runnells and Baserunning/Outfield and First Base Coach Eric Young will not return to the coaching staff in 2017.

Of course, the top spot to fill for the Rockies is the managerial position. Here are five candidates who we think might be good fits for the Colorado dugout.

More from Rox Pile

On to the desert

The Arizona Fall League kicks off action today but the nightcap features the Salt River Rafters (and seven Colorado prospects) taking on the Peoria Javelinas.

Opening the season for the Rafters on the mound will be Rockies prospect Zach Jemiola, who spent last season with Double-A Hartford. While in Arizona, the 22-year-old right-hander will be looking to keep the ball down and out of play. He started the year strong for Hartford, going 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA in April but had some struggles after that. He finished the year surrendering 15 homers while opponents batted .292 against him.

Could Gray Day continue in the offseason?

Colorado pitcher Jon Gray had a masterful performance against the San Diego Padres on September 17. Now, that pitching gem is one of five performances up for the best performance of the year in the Esurance MLB Awards.

It was mentioned in our list of the five biggest Rockies moments of the season … and apparently Esurance and MLB agreed. Gray struck out a club-record 16 Padres that night at Coors Field on his way to an 8-0 shutout.

Next: Nolan Arenado is Finalist for Hank Aaron Award

You can vote for Gray (and other categories as well) by clicking here.