Colorado Rockies: The 4 biggest takeaways from time at spring training

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Gerardo Parra #8 of the Colorado Rockies poses on photo day during MLB Spring Training at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 22, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Gerardo Parra is more important than you think

There has been a lot of talk about the Rockies outfield in spring training. With David Dahl, Mike Tauchman and Raimel Tapia each pushing for a roster spot, it was one of the key battles we were looking at heading into spring training. However, there was a wrench thrown in the mix when Gerardo Parra underwent hand surgery before spring training and hasn’t made an appearance … yet.

On Thursday, I talked to Parra about his injury and rehab for this article. On Friday morning, Bud Black announced that Parra would be back on the field for Sunday’s game against the Dodgers in Scottsdale. You can believe that the 30-year-old outfielder will get plenty of at-bats in the coming days as he tries to make up for lost time.

For Black, it isn’t just about at-bats with Parra, however. It’s also about his defensive abilities. With the reported return of Carlos Gonzalez, Parra will now be pushing for time in left and right field, likely splitting time with Ian Desmond and CarGo in those spots, as well as the younger outfielders mentioned above.

Left field at Coors Field comes in as an underrated defensive position, but Parra has shined in the past out there, including this gem of a catch during Kyle Freeland’s attempt at a no-hitter last season.

Next: 18 Rockies things to look forward to in 2018

"“Left field, you can make a case, is just as important as center field in our park,” Black told Rox Pile and other media members on Friday morning. “Parra is capable of going back and forth between right and left. He can center if needed, but we have other guys who can cover that. He’s a good defender.”"

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