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

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.