5 Things Colorado Rockies Fans Missed During Spring Training

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.

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Freeland finished Spring Training with a 3.48 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 20.2 innings. Last season, Freeland went 11-10 with a 3.89 ERA between the Rockies Triple-A and Double-A.

These were the only three pitchers that were in the conversation to compete for the starting rotation, however the strong performance by Senzatela during Spring Training brought him into the mix.

Senzatela finished Spring Training with a 4.61 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 27 innings. Last year he went 4-1 with a 1.82 ERA with the Rockies Double-A affiliate.

The Rockies recently released their 25-man roster. The two pitchers that secured the starting job were Senzatela and Freeland. Marquez was moved to the bullpen.

Hoffman, the key piece in the Tulo trade, will open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The two rookie starters will play a very important role. They will be the X-factor for the Rockies this season.