Colorado Rockies: 5 Predictions for 2017 Spring Training

Mike Tauchman Continues to Make His Presence Felt

In a very crowded outfield, there’s another player lurking at the minor league level who could someday make an impact for the Rockies. We think Mike Tauchman will do some damage at the plate this spring and draw even more attention than he has in the past.

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In his four minor league seasons, Tauchman has put together a .292 average. He doesn’t hit with a lot of power, but he hits the ball for average and also has solid speed. In the last two seasons at Double-A and Triple-A, he’s logged a combined 48 stolen bases.

Last season at Triple-A Albuquerque, Tauchman set a team record with a 22-game hitting streak and finished the year with hits in 25 consecutive games. The streak helped raise his average from .258 to .286 at season’s end.

Tauchman has put together some impressive numbers in the minors, including a .294 season in 2015 in his first Double-A season with the New Britain Rock Cats. On his way to earning All-Star honors that season, Tauchman established new career highs in doubles (23), triples (6), total bases (193), stolen bases (25), and walks (47).

Last season, Tauchman started off spring with the Rockies with a .375 with three hits in his first eight at-bats. One of those hits was a two-run triple in Colorado’s 9-5 decision over the San Diego Padres on March 5.

He cooled off from there, however, finishing his time with the Rockies in Arizona with a .154 average.

Yes, there are plenty of prospects in the outfield for the Rockies, but we think Tauchman will have a spring that will surpass many of them.