Colorado Rockies: 2018 Opening Day roster predictions

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DENVER, CO – APRIL 7: Manager Bud Black of the Colorado Rockies stands on the first base line with rest of the team as the National Anthem plays before taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day at Coors Field on April 7, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 2-1. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The cold and dark months of the offseason are now gone. There now is only the bright days of Spring Training and regular season baseball ahead. Along with Spring Training comes the many competitions for roster spots with this year’s Colorado Rockies.

We have all started to see many of the young Rockies players stand out in an effort to get their name on the coveted 2018 Opening Day roster. For some, it’s a hard task. For others, they have been on this path for many seasons.

Now that it’s finally March, I can go over my predictions on who will be on the Opening Day 25-man roster.

Pitchers (13)

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 20: Relief pitcher Chris Rusin #52 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field on August 20, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Rotation:

Colorado Rockies

Bullpen

Wade Davis, RHP (Closer)

Mike Dunn, LHP

Carlos Estevez, RHP

Jake McGee, LHP

Antonio Senzatela, RHP

Adam Ottavio, RHP

Chris Rusin, LHP

Bryan Shaw, RHP

We already had knowledge that Bud Black was going into the Opening Day roster with 13 pitchers (the same mentality he had last season). In this article, he talks about how he tried to get it down to 12, but it was difficult.

There is also a battle for the fourth and fifth rotation spots so these could all change before the season begins. Even though I put Senzatela in the bullpen, I still have high hopes that he could win the battle for that fifth rotation spot. In my original article about the starting rotation, it’s a bit different because of the guys who have made serious impressions on the Rockies.

Yes, these have been changes in the offseason with Greg Holland (who remains unsigned) and Tyler Chatwood (who signed with the Chicago Cubs) no longer part of the mix. However, the Rockies did a good job replacing Holland and the departed Pat Neshek (now with the Philadelphia Phillies) with Wade Davis and Bryan Shaw. All in all, the super bullpen will be in full effect on Opening Day in Arizona.

Infielders (7)

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 26: Nolan Arenado # 28 and Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies celebrate their win against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on September 26, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Nolan Arenado, 3B

Chris Iannetta, C

DJ LeMaheiu, 2B

Ryan McMahon, 1B

Tony Wolters, C

Trevor Story, SS

Pat Valaika, UTL

With the infielders, you have your mainstays at third, second, and shortstop. Then you have new catcher Chris Iannetta coming back for his second stint in Colorado and Ryan McMahon getting a chance at first. I added Pat Valaika due to the fact that he’s a versatile guy that can play essentially anywhere. Tony Wolters is another addition as well who should be taken seriously. I wrote a more in-depth article about how the Rockies should use Pat Valaika here and one on the catcher situation altogether here.

One name that we don’t see, and may not see the whole season, is Mark Reynolds as he remains unsigned. Reynolds did go ahead and say on the record that Colorado was his first choice. As we get closer and closer to Opening Day, it does appear the McMahon will be taking over at first base.

Outfielders (5)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Outfielders Ian Desmond #20, Charlie Blackmon #19, and Gerado Parra #8 of the Colorado Rockies jump together to celebrate after the final out against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Rockies won 6-5. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Charlie Blackmon, CF

David Dahl, OF

Ian Desmond, LF

Gerardo Parra, RF

Raimel Tapia, OF

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When it comes to the outfield, the Rockies have a lot of options and the best part they all can do some damage. Many people are in love with the bullpen, but in my opinion the outfield is where it’s at.

Blackmon and Parra are the mainstays on the team as Desmond still has to prove last season’s low numbers were a fluke. David Dahl and Raimel Tapia are on track to be breakout stars, and they are vital pieces to an already jam-packed lineup.

Questions are still up in the air about Carlos Gonzalez. If he were to be signed, then someone would not appear on this roster. However, the Rockies seem very content with their current personnel. For now, I would say the Rockies will have Desmond in left, Blackmon in center, and Parra in right as their starting outfield.

Takeaways

DENVER, CO – APRIL 7: The Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies stand on the field before the opening day game at Coors Field on April 7, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

If the Rockies stick to a roster similar to this, the season will be an all-out slugfest for the National League West title and a return to the playoffs. On paper, this team should be primed and ready for Opening Day.

Now, these are predictions, meaning that things are bound to change. There are still plenty of questions that may pop up from now until Opening Day with CarGo or Reynolds or even Greg Holland, but they will all be sorted out. The guys on this roster offer things that can only help the Rockies with their playoff push. Bud Black and the rest of the coaching staff are sitting atop a treasure and they have many avenues they can take.

Next: 4 key Rockies spring training battles we are watching

Despite not being able to put everyone that probably deserve to be on this roster on this roster, these 25 men are who I believe will have a positive impact, not only on Opening Day but throughout the entire season and hopefully postseason as well.

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