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Colorado Rockies: 18 things we are looking forward to in 2018

By Kevin Henry

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies connects for a two RBI base hit in the bottom of the fourth inning of a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies connects for a two RBI base hit in the bottom of the fourth inning of a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images) /
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Raimel Tapia of the Colorado Rockies
PHOENIX, AZ – JUNE 30: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies breaks his bat as he hits a RBI on a ground ball out during the thirdi inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 30, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Number 9: Young prospects/players getting their chances

Are you ready for more playing time for Ryan McMahon and Raimel Tapia? Get ready, because the young duo is likely to have a big impact on Colorado’s 2018 season.

If the Rockies don’t sign another first baseman, McMahon will likely hold down first base, giving Ian Desmond more versatility to play in the outfield. Tapia, meanwhile, will benefit when Desmond is at first base, likely moving into the right field slot vacated by Carlos Gonzalez.

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Those aren’t the only two youngsters who will likely see time with the Rockies in 2018. Last year, players like Mike Tauchman and Shane Carle made their debuts. Jairo Diaz, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez saw time on the mound.

Colorado has a young and deep farm system and that will be evident again in 2018 as Rockies fans get a deeper taste of what the future might hold at 20th and Blake.

Number 10: Another year of the Carlos Estevez experiment

Speaking of Estevez, the 25-year-old right-hander made Colorado’s Opening Day roster last season but then bounced back and forth between Colorado and Triple-A Albuquerque. He was recalled by the Rockies seven times last season, making it one heck of a back-and-forth campaign.

He went 5-0 with a 5.57 ERA and struck out 31 in 32.1 innings of work. Manager Bud Black and the Colorado administration are all high on the potential that Estevez brings. If he can harness his power and “throw the ball like he is capable,” as Black said in this article, Estevez can make a strong Colorado bullpen even stronger.

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