Colorado Rockies: Ranking the 40-Man Roster: 5-1

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Sep 27, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) waves to fans after the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. The Rockies won 12-5. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

After carefully dissecting the entire Colorado Rockies‘ 40-man roster, it is time to take a look at the top five players and the impact they will make during the 2017 season. The names atop the list come as no surprise, but the ranking shows a great bit of variation.

Number 5

Carlos Gonzalez: Outfielder Points: 28 Highest Rank: 2 Lowest Rank: 8

Carlos Gonzalez has been a fixture in the Rockies organization since being traded to the club before the 2009 season. As he enters his age 31 season, there is more uncertainty surrounding his future with the team than ever before. Over the past few seasons, CarGo has garnered heavy trade interest from teams around the league. However, the Rockies have never shown a genuine interest in letting go of the perennial All-Star. There were even reports of interest from both parties to sign a new extension during the offseason.

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In the final year of his current contract with the team, CarGo figures to be an everyday player who hits in the heart of the order. Though with so many young players vying for time in the outfield, he could see his role reduced if new manager Bud Black sees fit.

When fully healthy, Gonzalez is an above-average defender and a terror at the plate. He has hit 25 or more home runs in five of the last seven seasons, and has a career batting average just under .300. As for defensive ability, opposing base runners have a better chance of beating a circus game than a throw from CarGo.

The key to his impact during the 2017 season boils down to a few categories. His overall health for the entire season and his situation regarding a future trade or extension. If the Rockies contend this season, I expect CarGo to stick around and sign an extension before he reaches the open market.

If healthy this season, Gonzalez could have another 40-home run season and continue to torment opposing offenses with his ridiculous defense. If he get injured or traded, his postseason ranking will be drastically different.

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 4

DJ LeMahieu: Second Baseman Points: 27 Highest Rank: 3 Lowest Rank: 7

One year after being crowned the National League batting champion, DJ LeMahieu is out to prove his 2016 success was not a fluke. Plenty of critics called out the Rockies and LeMahieu for sitting out the last few games of the season as he held on to a slim lead in batting average, but he shrugs off the notions that it was simply an attempt to earn the title. Nonetheless, LeMahieu carried a .348 average to the end of the season, and proved to be a serious threat wherever he was placed in the lineup.

At the plate DJ also enjoyed his greatest season as a pro from a power standpoint. He hit 11 homers in 2016, which was his combined total for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He also hit in many different positions in the lineup, but he flourished in the eight-hole for a large bit of the season.

LeMahieu heads in to the 2017 season with shortstop Trevor Story expected to be fully recovered and ready to play all season. The pair worked well together last season in solidifying the middle of the diamond for the Rockies defense. DJ is also a source of constant entertainment when it comes to his glove work and ability to make spectacular plays.

One area which could again improve for LeMahieu is 2017 is his fielding. In my opinion, DJ was robbed of the Gold Glove in 2016, but it will remain a sore spot for him next season. As he moves forward and continues to progress as a fielder, he will improve his fielding abilities as well.

If 2016 was any sign of things to come for LeMahieu, the Rockies will enjoy another season from one of the most underrated players in the game as he continues to make a name for himself in the Mile High City. He could climb in ranking as well if his 2017 is just as impressive.

Sep 4, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray (55) stretches on the mound in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 3

Jon Gray: Starting Pitcher Points: 27 Highest Rank: 2 Lowest Rank: 7

In his first full season with the Rockies, Jon Gray experienced a typical rookie roller coaster of highs and lows. At his best, he proved to be capable of throwing complete-game shutout with top of the rotation stuff. At his worst, he looked like a rattled rookie who battled with control and fatigue at times.

Jon Gray worked a respectable 4.61 ERA over 29 starts in 2016, and held batters to just a .243 average against him. With his first professional season under his belt, Gray should be able to eliminate some of the problems that plagued him early in the season.

Gray struggled with walks early in the season and even hit 12 batters over the course of the year, but control has been a focus during the offseason and heading in to next year. He left a few starts early last year due to high pitch counts from walks, but he should see no limit restrictions in his second year at the big league level.

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One big area for optimism is his strikeout totals from last season. Gray finished the year with 185 strikeouts and a 9.91 K/9 mark. During his first career complete-game shutout against the Padres, Gray struck out 16 batters and walked just four.

The Rockies will rely heavily on Jon Gray in 2017 to be the leader of their young rotation. At just 25 years old, Gray is poised to become a legitimate ace for the club in his second season. A ranking this high is based on high expectations and optimism for the future. If he is able to avoid the dreaded “sophomore slump,” Jon Gray will capitalize on a successful year in 2016 and be even better in 2017.

Oct 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) greets fans following the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 2

Charlie Blackmon: Outfielder Points: 22 Highest Rank: 2 Lowest Rank: 9

Average, power, and speed are all important in the game of baseball. When a player can really develop any of these skills, he is a crucial player. When a player develops all three of these skills and has a serious beard to match? He is Charlie Blackmon.

Chuck Nazty has been a fan-favorite in Denver for years, but he really made a name for himself in 2016 when he exploded for power and average at the top of the Rockies lineup day-in and day-out. He is known for his outgoing personality and clubhouse shenanigans, but anyone around the team knows he is also one of the hardest workers around. He covers center field on a nightly basis in one of the largest outfields in the league, and has also improved his arm over the last few seasons.

Like Carlos Gonzalez, Blackmon’s name has been mentioned in multiple trade rumors this offseason, but the reported asking price was too high for clubs around the league. The Rockies have a pair of promising young center fielders in David Dahl and Raimel Tapia, but it remains unclear when or if they will both see full time action in center.

Blackmon could be a huge factor for the team’s success in 2017, as he could lead off again with power and average to set up an even scarier middle of the order. However, he could also take a very different path if the team does not contend as expected this season.

If Blackmon sticks around and helps the Rockies to their first offseason since 2009, his number two ranking could be well deserved. But if the team falls out of contention and is able to bring in a Tulo-esque haul at the deadline, his value could be much different in 2017.

Sep 5, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Number One

Nolan Arenado: Third Baseman Points: 6 Highest Rank: 1 Lowest Rank: 1

As if anyone needed any convincing, Nolan Arenado receives the top overall ranking from every single member of the Rox Pile team. The ranking system is based on expected impact during the 2017 season, and Nolan is sure to make an even greater impact than last year.

Arenado is hands down the most crucial player when it comes to determining long term success for the Rockies. He has accounted for more than 40 home runs in each of the last two seasons, 130 or more RBIs both years, and has been the recipient of four straight NL Gold Gloves.

It is hard to argue his pure talent and enthusiasm for the game as well. He has an infectious attitude in the clubhouse and motivates the players around him. As the young Rockies team continues to grow and become competitive, Arenado will be expected to lead the way on the field and in the clubhouse.

Nolan could take his game to an even higher level in 2017 if he hits for a greater average. His .294 average is nothing to scoff at, but after leading the league in home runs and RBIs in 2016, Arenado could try for the triple crown in 2017 if he really wanted to cement his legacy as one of the greatest.

Next: Who Ranked 6-10 on our List? Find Out Here.

It is not a matter of how much of an impact Nolan Arenado will make in 2017, but rather if he will garner national attention enough to earn MVP honors as well. With the preseason ranking series wrapped up, it is time to look toward the regular season and see if the expectations were correct or not.

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