5 Things Colorado Rockies Fans Missed During Spring Training

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Spring Training is a great time of year, because it means the start of Colorado Rockies baseball is right around the corner.

However, few people actually keep up with the news of Spring Training … much less watch the games.

Usually the starting lineup and pitching rotation are set in stone, except for maybe a couple of players duking it out for the starting job or even just a spot on the team.

No matter the situation, Spring Training is a time for players to work on new and different styles or techniques in a game scenario.

Sorry to tell you this, but the player who is hitting .390 in March won’t be hitting anywhere near those numbers come July and August.

The stats players put up in Spring Training tell us very little. For the most part, you have to look past the inflated stats and judge a player based upon how he looks.

For example, is Jon Gray confidently throwing the curveball he wanted to add to his arsenal this offseason? Does Ian Desmond look comfortable at first base?

These are the things that matter. The outcome might not look good, but who cares.

The only thing that matters is improvement.

For all of you out there that missed Spring Training, here are 5 things that happened during March that might affect play come April.

Rockies manager, Bud Black, organized team building exercises. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. You missed multiple team building exercises

At the beginning of Spring Training, the Rockies brought a live s teer to their spring training home in Arizona.

You are probably asking what does a cow have to do with baseball?

Well, in fact, it has nothing to do with baseball.

The Rockies brought the steer to Spring Training as a team building exercise to learn about the origins of different cuts of meat.

In another team building exercise, the Rockies had a shoot off … of the bow and arrow variety.

As a way to break tension and get away from the game, the Rockies new manager, Bud Black, organized an archery tournament.

Apparently, the Rox have some skilled marksman. It was a head to head competition between bullpen coach Darren Holmes, second baseman DJ LeMahieu, catcher Tom Murphy, and pitcher Kyle Freeman.

The players were to shoot targets at varying distances.

The guys had an archery competition yesterday. It was a great time and @KFREE_21 came out on top!#RoxSpring 🏹🌵⚾️ https://t.co/GcxK3ztCtL
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 14, 2017

According to the Rockies twitter account, pitcher Kyle Freeman made an epic comeback in the final round by nailing a target 75 yards away.

These team building exercises are important, because they loosen players up from the usual grind of the game and they build camaraderie within the clubhouse.

2. You missed all the injuries that piled up for the Rockies

The Rockies have been ravaged by injuries before the season has even started.

At the beginning of Spring Training, David Dahl suffered upper back issues that kept him off the field.

The team was optimistic that he would be day-to-day and would return within the week.

Colorado Rockies

However, the news got worse as they found out the back issues were caused by a stress reaction in the sixth rib.

Rockies have said that Dahl will miss Opening Day and most likely the rest of April.

The player that will take his place is Gerardo Parra, who started in left field last season before injuring his ankle.

The second injury that plagued the Rockies was to first baseman Ian Desmond on March 12th.

Desmond was hit by a pitch which struck and broke his left hand. He underwent surgery and will miss some time in April.

Mark Reynolds will replace Desmond as first. Reynolds, a veteran first baseman, was a solid starter for the Rockies last season and should fill in nicely for Desmond.

Two days after Desmond broke his hand, catcher Tom Murphy fractured his right forearm.

Murphy was trying to throw out a stealing baserunner at second, but as he followed through his forearm made contact with Anthony Rizzo‘s bat.

Murphy is predicted to be out four to six weeks. Tony Wolters will be the starter for the Rockies, so when Murphy returns he will most likely be the back-up.

The Injuries that the Rockies have suffered thus far won’t be a great burden, because they have experienced and talented players to back them up.

However, the injury, or should I say discovery, that hurts them the most involves Chad Bettis.

Bettis discovered that his testicular cancer has returned and spread. He is taking baseball off until he has completely rid himself of the cancer.

This most likely means that Bettis will be gone for the rest of the season.

Injuries have been a big story line for the Rockies this Spring Training. Time will only tell if these injuries will have a big impact on their season.

3. You missed Nolan Arenado win the World Baseball Classic

This doesn’t really have to do with Spring Training, but Arenado missed a significant amount of time with the Rockies this March, because he was representing the United States in the WBC.

The United States dominated Puerto Rico, 8-0, to win its first ever World Baseball Classic championship.

However, Arenado had very little to do with the U.S. team’s success.

Arenado struggled in the WBC, hitting .161 with an on base percentage of .212 and 11 strikeouts in only eight games.

It will be interesting to see if his poor performance at the WBC continues into the regular season.

Despite his struggles, many people believe Arenado has a chance to win the NL MVP.

4. You missed the competition for the final two spots in the pitching rotation

Since the Rockies parted ways with Jorge De La Rosa and lost Bettis to testicular cancer for the rest of the season, there are two openings in the starting rotation.

This has created some competition between rookies Jeff Hoffman, German Marquez, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela.

Hoffman finished Spring Training with a 4.76 ERA and four strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Last year he went 6-9 with a 4.02 ERA with the Rockies Triple-A affiliate.

As for Marquez, he finished Spring Training with a 6.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 18 innings. Last year he went 9-6 with a 2.85 ERA with the Rockies Double-A affiliate.

More from Rox Pile

Well lucky for Rox fans, you will have no problem distinguishing the color of the Rockies new uniforms.

The Rox decided to change the jerseys to a lighter purple, so there is no mistaking the color that makes the Rockies so unique.

Also there will be some different tastes coming to Coors Field.

Those with a sweet tooth warning. The Rockies newest food addition is the apple pie nachos. This is a concoction of cinnamon sugar chips, pie filling, whipped cream, and caramel.

Well, Spring Training has finally come to a close.

Although you missed quite a bit, you should be all caught up.

Next: 5 Reasons Why Colorado Will Win the World Series

Now it’s time for the real deal. Opening Day is set to begin.

Grab your hot dog and soda and enjoy a new Rockies season.

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Spring Training is a great time of year, because it means the start of Colorado Rockies baseball is right around the corner.

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