Colorado Rockies: another possible postseason roster outlook

My co-expert Kevin Henry published an article earlier this afternoon about what the Colorado Rockies postseason roster could look like. However, I think that it could look a bit different.

The Colorado Rockies struggles in the month of August have been well documented but they still have a two game lead on the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild card. So, assuming that the Rockies hang on, Kevin discussed what he thought the Rockies postseason roster would look like. However, I have one specific thing I don’t like and I’ve never been a fan of, in general: having 13 pitchers on a 25-man roster. Rockies manager Bud Black likes having a deep bullpen but a deep, versatile bench, in my opinion, is something that is more of a necessity (especially with playing without the designated hitter). Kevin’s prediction for the postseason roster would have 13 pitchers. And that is our point of departure.

The Wild Card Game roster

Managers can change their rosters between each postseason series and with the Rockies destined to be in the Wild Card Game, they wouldn’t need to carry four or five starters on the roster for one game. Therefore, Bud Black could carry a lot more bench players. Even with a nine man bullpen, he could have a seven man bench. For the roster for that game, I would make it like this.

Starting Pitcher– Jon Gray

If Bud Black works his scheduling well, he can get Jon Gray to start the game.

Bullpen (9)– Greg Holland, Jake McGee, Pat Neshek, Mike Dunn, Adam Ottavino, Chris Rusin, Scott Oberg, Tyler Chatwood, Antonio Senzatela

Catchers (2)– Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Hanigan

Infielders (7)– Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, DJ LeMahieu, Mark Reynolds, Pat Valaika, Alexi Amarista, Ryan McMahon

Outfielders (6)– Ian Desmond, Charlie Blackmon, Carlos Gonzalez, Raimel Tapia, Gerardo Parra, Mike Tauchman

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The roster for the rest of the playoffs

For the rest of the playoffs, Bud Black would only need four starting pitchers. However, I think that the Rockies should either carry Ryan McMahon or Raimel Tapia. 13 position players, 12 pitchers.

McMahon could provide the team with some infield depth and a bench bat. He has only hit .143 in nine games (entering Thursday) at the the major league level but he has drawn four walks in 18 plate appearances. However in 70 games with Triple-A Albuquerque, he went 108-for-289, or a .374 batting average.

Tapia has been with the Rockies much more this season as he has played in 53 games and in those games, he has hit .274. However, his on-base percentage and slugging percentage numbers haven’t been great. In 58 games with Albuquerque, though, he hit .369. It also helps that he has stolen 18 bases this season (between Albuquerque and Colorado) so, late in games, he would be a great pinch-running option. Only Charlie Blackmon and Ian Desmond have more than six stolen bases on the team. As a result, I would say that Tapia would get the nod, for me, over McMahon.

Next: Kevin's postseason roster prediction

Final Thoughts

I would have Kevin’s roster but with Tapia, I would get rid of Scott Oberg. He has been consistently lackluster and since the All-Star break, he has a 5.68 ERA in 14 games. The other potential option to leave off is Adam Ottavino but considering that he has a better track record than Oberg and he has only given up runs in two of his 16 outings since July 26, I would keep him on the roster.