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Colorado Rockies: Roundtable season projections and outlooks

By Kevin Henry

DENVER, CO - APRIL 7: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies takes the field against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day at Coors Field on April 7, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 7: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies takes the field against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day at Coors Field on April 7, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Ian Desmond of the Colorado Rockies
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Ian Desmond #20 of the Colorado Rockies on deck during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 30, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

By Noah Yingling

Some of the projections for the Rockies in 2018 have been low-balling the team, in my opinion. Yesterday, we discussed in this article yesterday that some publications, like ESPN, have the potential record for the Rockies being as low as 67-95, which is preposterous. I understand lowballing the team, to a degree. The National League West, in all likelihood, will be the most competitive division in all of baseball. In my predictions, I actually have four of the five teams that reside in the National League above a .500 record. I only have three teams above .500 in two other divisions (the NL Central and the AL East).

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So, part of their reasoning is that they believe that the D’Backs and Giants are better. The Giants lost 98 games last season after making the playoffs the season prior. I don’t think that they will make the playoffs but they will be much improved.

The biggest loss for D’Backs was the loss of J.D. Martinez. He was the biggest offensive piece in the second half of the season. They also lost a lot of bullpen pieces and, according to Roster Resource, they have two non-roster invitees and a Rule Five pick slated to make their bullpen. On top of that, Zack Greinke may not be ready for Opening Day due to injury and it may linger throughout the season.

The Rockies improved their bullpen a lot and their young starting pitching will have another year of development. My concern is actually the offense. Outside of Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon, it’s a bunch of question marks. Can Trevor Story lead the NL in strikeouts and hit above .250? Will CarGo and Ian Desmond have rebound seasons? I think that they will and, even if they do, the Rockies are the second best team in the NL West.

Prediction: 90-72, 2nd in the NL West, 1st NL Wild Card

Biggest surprise player: Carlos Gonzalez

Biggest disappointment: Adam Ottavino

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