Colorado Rockies: 4 key spring training battles to watch

We are less than two weeks away from the Colorado Rockies kicking off spring training with pitchers and catchers reporting on February 13 to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona. Just a few days later (February 18), the entire Rockies camp will come together to prepare for the 2018 season.

While we know some things that can be taken for granted and can predict starters at several positions, there are still some question marks surrounding this team. And it doesn’t just involve starters. There will need to be some hard decisions made by Rockies manager Bud Black and his staff regarding depth as well before Colorado opens the season on March 29 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.

We will be covering spring training live from Arizona in the early portion of the Rockies March schedule. During this time, there will be some questions answered and some players will begin to establish themselves as ones who will make a true impact on the 2018 season. We can’t wait to be there and see some of this unfold.

So what will we be watching for during spring training? Here, we will discuss four key position battles that we think will be worth keeping an eye on as spring training evolves. Let’s dive in and discuss each of them.

First base

Ah yes, the question that has haunted Rockies Twitter throughout the offseason. Is Ryan McMahon really ready to take over the position? How much will Ian Desmond play at first base, the position he signed a big, long-term contract to take over last offseason? Will the Rockies sign a free agent to bolster the position? Could it be someone like Mark Reynolds who has experience with the Rockies or someone like Logan Morrison from outside the organization?

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As each day passes, it seems that the Rockies are content to not spend big here and see if the McMahon/Desmond platoon can work. If all goes well this season, it makes sense. McMahon has proven he can hit in the minor leagues and will be out to prove that that success can translate to MLB. Desmond will be out to prove that last year was a fluke, thanks in part to numerous injuries.

McMahon making the Opening Day roster makes sense from a flexibility standpoint as well. He can play first, second or third and the Rockies love versatility. Desmond can play outfield or first or even shortstop if needed, so there is flexibility there as well.

If a late signing doesn’t occur, watch to see if McMahon can solidify his spot with a strong spring. If things go well in the spring for him, it makes Opening Day decisions a lot easier for the Rockies. If not, it could open the door for Desmond to play first base and an outfielder like David Dahl or Raimel Tapia to have a shot at making the Opening Day roster.

Rotation

Yes, you lived long enough to see the Rockies have an enormous amount of young pitching talent. So much so, in fact, that not all of the young pitchers can fit onto the Opening Day roster.

Colorado Rockies

Barring injuries, it is safe to say that Jon Gray and Chad Bettis have secured their spots in the rotation. After a stunning September (3-1, 1.19 ERA) as a fully healthy pitcher, Tyler Anderson has likely locked in his spot as a starter as well. Now, here is where it gets dicey and interesting.

The Rockies will have the luxury of choosing from Kyle Freeland, Jeff Hoffman, Antonio Senzatela and German Marquez for the fourth and potentially fifth starter spot (depending on how Bud Black wants to use his starters this season). All four had their moments last season. All four will be counted on to contribute again in 2018.

Senzatela could likely end up back in the bullpen, a position he found himself in as the 2017 closed out. He and Chris Rusin provide Black with some very good options for long relief if needed.

Colorado also has options past just these names as well. Yency Almonte could contribute in 2018 as could Sam Howard and/or Zach Jemiola. We were surprised last year with some of the names who made big impacts. This season could be no different.

Back-up catcher

Last season, experience ruled behind the plate for Colorado. With Tom Murphy injured to start the season and Tony Wolters or Dustin Garneau unable to produce consistently at the plate, Ryan Hanigan burst onto the scene and proved that a veteran presence at catcher paid dividends with Colorado’s young starters. At the trade deadline, Jonathan Lucroy was brought over from the Texas Rangers to continue that trend. Hanigan and Lucroy became the one-two punch behind the plate while Wolters and Murphy both found themselves in Triple-A trying to work their way back to Denver.

This year, Hanigan and Lucroy are both gone … but another veteran is behind the dish as the Rockies welcomed back Chris Iannetta with a two-year deal. Iannetta, however, isn’t expected to catch more than 100 games this season if recent history is any indicator (he hasn’t appeared in more than 94 games since 2014). That leaves plenty of opportunities for Wolters or Murphy to make their mark.

Murphy has plenty of potential and shook off talk of last season’s struggles during Q&A sessions during the recent Rockies Caravan. Wolters has plenty of big league experience and also adds the versatility of being able to play middle infielder if needed.

Next: 18 things to look forward to with the Rockies in 2018

One of the two young catchers will need to step up in spring training to show why they belong as Iannetta’s counterpart.