Colorado Rockies: Looking at the 2017 Batting Order Possibilities

Against left-handed pitchers

Blackmon CF

LeMahieu 2B

Arenado 3B

Desmond LF

Story SS

Reynolds 1B

Murphy C

Parra RF

Pitcher

So we predict not only a change in some players in the batting lineup but also some positional changes as well.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies bringing Mark Reynolds back on a minor league contract was a solid move and it will pay dividends early and often this season. Yes, by the way, we do think Reynolds will make the Opening Day roster. One of the biggest dividends will be the ability to move the right-handed Desmond into the outfield against southpaws and move the right-handed Reynolds into the lineup at first.

Story could hit at four or five in this lineup but we’re thinking Bud Black may not move Story around as much in his sophomore season with the Rockies.

With this lineup, the right-handed Murphy comes in at catcher, giving the Rockies a complete platoon system with Wolters and Murphy depending on who is on the mound.

Yes, we know, we know. There’s no Carlos Gonzalez in this lineup but there is a Parra. So what gives you ask? CarGo hit .273 against lefties last season while Parra hit .258 against them (versus the lower .251 against right-handers). It’s still a dropoff, but we’re trying to think of a way that Parra gets more playing time this season. Why? We just don’t think the Rockies are going to let Parra and his $8 million sit on the bench and be strictly a role player in 2017.