Colorado Rockies: 3 players who will improve dramatically in 2018

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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 16: Colorado Rockies fans hold a sign referring to “Rocktober”, or a Rockies playoff run, during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

There is no question that the Colorado Rockies took a giant step forward in the 2017 season, transforming from a 75-87 team in 2016 to reversing those numbers for a 87-75 mark and Wild Card berth last year. There are many reasons for the jump, including continued MVP-type numbers from Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon and the rebirth of Greg Holland in the closer’s role.

However, looking back, there were still a lot of things that didn’t go right for the Rockies last season. Injuries hit some of their key players while others (like Carlos Gonzalez and Trevor Story) each endured horrific slumps that caused many to question if they deserved a spot in the starting lineup.

With 2017 in the rear-view mirror, there is a lot of reason for optimism heading into the 2018 campaign. Many will undoubtedly pick the Rockies to make the postseason next year … and some media pundits may even tab Colorado to go further than just a Wild Card berth like it saw this season.

So what would make the difference between a great 2017 and an even greater 2018? We have some ideas. Let’s take a look at three Colorado Rockies we have identified who will have a better season in 2017 than they did in 2018.

Jon Gray

Starting pitcher

Last season: 10-4, 3.67 ERA, 1.30 WHIP

Career stats: 20-16, 4.40 ERA, 1.32 WHIP

It wasn’t that Gray was not effective last season. You can take a look at his numbers and see that he was when he was on the mound. However, that was the problem in 2017. Gray was not on the mound enough for the Rockies.

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Thanks to a foot fracture suffered in April at the San Francisco Giants, the 25-year-old former third overall pick in the MLB draft missed time between April 13 and June 30 recovering from the injury. He struggled in July to a 6.66 ERA in five starts before rebounding to a 2.30 ERA in August and 2.57 ERA in September. He also went 7-2 during those months in 11 starts.

Had Gray been healthy, it certainly would have changed the Colorado rotation and some of the opportunities that were given to young pitchers like Jeff Hoffman, German Marquez and others. Gray called the injury a “mixed blessing” when I talked to him just before the end of August, meaning it allowed him to be fresher as the season wound down and the Rockies chased the postseason. It could also be that because of the opportunities given to other players who gained valuable experience on the mound.

Do not let his abbreviated performance in the Wild Card game fool you. Gray is vitally important to Colorado’s success and will show that next season. A healthy Gray should translate into bigger things, both personally and for the Rockies, in 2018.

Carlos Estevez

Relief pitcher

Last season: 5-0, 5.57 ERA, 1.64 WHIP

Career stats: 8-7, 5.36 ERA, 1.50 WHIP

If you were looking for wins in your fantasy baseball league last year, you were pretty happy with Carlos Estevez early in the season as he picked up three wins in April alone. If you were looking for help with your ERA, Estevez was not your guy as he posted an 8.71 in April as well.

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The 24-year-old right-hander was in the right spot at the right time early in the season for the Rockies but still struggled. That is one of the reasons why he spent so much of last season bouncing between Denver and Triple-A Albuquerque.

Outside of a spotless August where he pitched four scoreless innings, the best statistical month for Estevez was September when he posted a 4.22 ERA in 10.2 innings pitched.

OK, those are the numbers. While Estevez may not have passed the statistical test last season, there is no question that the appropriately nicknamed Wild Thing is a big part of Colorado’s plans for 2018. Manager Bud Black is high on what he could bring to the table if he irons out his mechanics. With another year under his belt, we believe he will do just that.

Estevez held down the closer job for past of the 2016 season. If Greg Holland does not re-sign with the Rockies, don’t be surprised if Estevez is right in the mix to be Colorado’s ninth-inning guy.

David Dahl

Outfielder

Last season: Did not play in MLB

Career stats: .315/.359/.859, 7 home runs, 24 RBI, 5 stolen bases

One of the biggest blows suffered by the Rockies last season happened when David Dahl was hurt in spring training. What was thought to be a rib injury that could keep him out for a few games turned into an injury that shut him out of any Major League time last year.

Much like Gray’s injury, Dahl’s rib issues allowed Gerardo Parra to grab the starting left field spot. Parra flourished in 2017 after struggling mightily in 2016. It also adjusted Colorado’s outfield depth and would eventually result in more big league time for Raimel Tapia and even the Major League debut of Mike Tauchman.

It was a lost season for Dahl, who made such an impact on the Rockies in just 222 at-bats in 2016. Much was expected of him in 2017 … but it never happened because of the injury. Those same high hopes and expectations will easily transfer over to the 2018 season when Dahl could once again possibly step into a starting role with a strong spring.

With the contract status of Carlos Gonzalez up in the air, Parra could conceivably move over to right in 2018 while Dahl takes over in left and Blackmon holds down the fort in center.

Next: The contracts with the biggest impact on the 2018 Rockies

A returning Dahl could certainly boost Colorado’s offense and allow Ian Desmond to take over first base on a full-time basis.

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