Colorado Rockies: Will the same formula work in 2018?

2017 was a comeback year for the Colorado Rockies. In 2016, the Rockies finished the season 75-87 but then had a turnaround season, flipping that record to 87-75. There were many things that went into the comeback year for the Rockies … but will it work again?

Looking back on 2017, the Rockies finished in third place in the National League West and second in the NL Wild Card chase. One of the good things about the season was that they did finish above .500. What happened differently in 2017? Well, 2016 was the last year that Walt Weiss would be the Rockies skipper as he resigned from his post at the end of the season.

Enter Bud Black as the new manager of the Rockies. Black played a big factor into how this team would play last year. It’s incredible to see how he turned the whole team around and boosted the emotions of the players as they made it to the Wild Card game.

Another big factor was all the new young guys that were called up last season. The motto for the Rockies should be “next man up,” because these guys really stepped up when they were called on.

The young guys are crucial for the Rockies right now since the front office hasn’t gone after any position players outside of Chris Iannetta at catcher. Due to that, you’ll be seeing guys like David Dahl (if healthy), Mike Tauchman, and Raimel Tapia playing in the outfield.

Along with them, we’ll see Ryan McMahon most likely taking over the reigns at first base, Pat Valaika will be a utility infielder that will get platooned, and I believe Tony Wolters will be the starting catcher before the end of the first half.

Let’s also not forget about one of the Rockies’ (and MLB’s) top prospects in Brendan Rodgers, who could be playing in the Majors this year. With all these guys coming together, the Rockies may have a team that’s fully homegrown in a couple of years.

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So yes, the 2017 season had its ups, but don’t forget it had its downs as well. Very early in the season, the Rockies were actually in first place in the NL West, but the Dodgers were only half a game behind. In those situations, I want to know what will Colorado do in order to stay in that position and ward off the Dodgers.

The Rockies can’t just be content with getting second place in the Wild Card every year. They must set their eyes on winning the division and in order to do that they have to keep up with the Dodgers. This is the year to overtake them and it’s time to pull the trigger.

The Rockies are on the up and up. I’ve said many similar things in my past articles and I’ll keep saying them. This team is good and they have every ability to contend, but when they do, it’s only a matter of time before they’re at a standstill. A standstill that leads them to ask the question, “OK, we made it to the postseason. Now what?”

Here’s your answer and it’s an obvious one…win. I know it’s not as simple as saying those words. I have gone back and rewatched last year’s Wild Card loss over and over again and I’m still confused as to how it unraveled so quickly.

Going back and forth, watching that game and looking over it, I came to the realization that the Rockies are facing a giant. Now, you may think I’m speaking about the Arizona Diamondbacks, but they play those guys all the time. It’s not them. It’s the actual game itself, the fact that this game had more added weight than any game the Rockies had played that whole season. It’s time for them to face the fear of a playoff game and overcome it.

Final Thoughts

2018 will be a monumental year for the Colorado Rockies. They will have incredible wins and hard-fought losses. With the losses, take it in the face and keep on keeping on. That’s one of the best qualities I’ve seen from this Colorado squad. This team is a runaway train and they have no intent on stopping.

Next: Breaking down the Rockies, position by position

Where’s the next stop you ask? The World Series. How will that happen though? Well, perhaps not following the same formula from 2017 will work. The 2017 season was a season of progression. The 2018 season must be a season of unpredictability and breaking new boundaries. As long as they stay on the train tracks and not go off the rails, the Rockies will have solved their equation.