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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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Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – JUNE 06: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies hits a 2 RBI home run in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Coors Field on June 6, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

By Lucas Mullins

Biggest surprise player

I think the excitement and relief of being back in the clubhouse with his teammates is only the beginning of a great comeback season for Carlos Gonzalez. As much as I want to see young players like Raimel Tapia and David Dahl get their chance to prove themselves, CarGo has already proven himself in seasons past and I suspect 2018 will look a lot more like those seasons than last year.

It’s true, CarGo is getting older, but looking at the way he finished 2017, it’s clear he still has the ability to torture opposing pitching.

I also want to throw in a shout out to Chris Iannetta. He won’t hit in the middle of the order but after crushing 17 homers for Arizona last season, I think he’s primed to impress Rockies fans in 2018.

Biggest disappointment player  

More from Colorado Rockies News

The biggest reason the Rockies made the playoffs last year was their young pitching staff and they will rely heavily on these arms again in 2018.  Although I expect most of these guys to take a step forward, it is almost certain that someone will take a step back. Antonio Senzatela had a solid rookie campaign in 2017. However, despite his early-season success and some strong outings out of the bullpen, he certainly struggled at times.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Senzatela, but out of all the young guys, I think he’s most likely to deal with the sophomore jinx.

Buyers or sellers?

General Manager Jeff Bridich understands he has a small window to win with the nearing expiration of his star players’ contracts. I think the Rockies will be buying at the deadline, but I don’t see them making any blockbuster moves. Even if they have a worse year than we’d like, I don’t think they will be so far out of it by July 31 that they become sellers.

Season prediction 

89-73. In 2018, I suspect the Rockies starting pitching will continue to improve, posting slightly better numbers than in 2017, the offense will be a serious threat with bounce-back seasons from Gonzalez and Trevor Story, and the bullpen will dominate the late innings, showing why they got so much money this offseason.

I think the Rockies will make the Wild Card game again this year and will see a strong performance from a more matured Jon Gray. I’m not sure they will make it past the NLDS, however, especially if they wind up having to face the Dodgers.

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