Colorado Rockies: 5 Predictions for 2017 Spring Training

Gerardo Parra Shows Up

Signed last January to a three-year, $27.5 million contract, Gerardo Parra had a season to forget in 2016. His -2.8 bWAR was abysmal and unfathomable. He walked just nine times in 381 trips to the plate. He hit just .253 with seven homers and 39 RBI while striking out 73 times. The Rockies were so desperate to find a way to get him in the lineup last season that they even put him at first base, which was a disaster both offensively and defensively.

It was a bad season. However, there are three main reasons to think why Parra will bounce back and be better in 2017. That starts in the spring.

First, it can’t get much worse for Parra this season. He played just 102 games last season after suffering a high ankle sprain in a collision with Story. It was symbolic of a rough year on the field for the 29-year-old outfielder.

Second, Parra’s career numbers show a strong chance for improvement. He’s a career .274 hitter with a .321 on base percentage and .404 slugging percentage. Those would all be numbers above what Parra did last season.

He’s also had the offseason to heal from his high ankle sprain, an injury he battled to overcome throughout the rest of the 2016 season.

Next: What Colorado's Batting Order Could Look Like in 2017

Parra won’t beat out David Dahl for the starting left field spot, but a strong spring would help boost confidence in Parra coming off the bench. We think it will happen.