Colorado Rockies: Roundtable season projections and outlooks

By Ben Macaluso

The Colorado Rockies have never been to the playoffs in back-to-back years in franchise history. This is the season that will change that. The Rockies at the very least have the core of the best team they’ve fielded this decade.

The difference that will help them repeat as a playoff team is their bullpen. With the signings of Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw and keeping Jake McGee and Chris Rusin, the Rockies have a incredibly expensive bullpen. While overspending doesn’t always lead to success, it is nice to see the bullpen emphasized. Signing Davis will make losing Greg Holland easier to swallow.

Traditionally, relievers show the most worth in the playoffs because starters often pitch less than they do in the regular season. The Rockies’ starters eat less innings than standard starters. For these young starters to avoid sophomore slumps, they will need to rely heavily on the bullpen. These new additions will help them reach their potential through rest. This will be the best bullpen the Rockies have ever fielded, therefore making the starters well rested to make a run into the playoffs.

The player to be the most surprise will be David Dahl. I don’t think he will make the Opening Day roster but that will only benefit him and the club. Getting every day reps at Triple-A Albuquerque will get him back in the shape he needs after missing 2017. He showed so much potential in 2016 and he will be a great addition, especially with his bat as a fourth outfielder.

The biggest disappointment will be Trevor Story. Not that he will regress this season but it will be hard to emulate his phenomenal rookie season before he went down with a thumb injury. I actually predict he will have a bounce back season but it won’t be enough to fend off the rising star in Brendan Rodgers, who I predict will make his major league debut this season.

While Carlos Gonzalez will continue the hot streak from his August and September last season, ultimately there is probably too many outfielders on this team. The Rockies will need to solidify their starting rotation and will trade for more depth. Unfortunately I think this is the last season we see CarGo in a Rockies uniform and they will be sellers at the trade deadline. I think the club will try to get something for CarGo before they lose him to free agency at the end of the year.

Next: Here is the worst prediction we found for the Rockies in 2018

The division got better especially with the Giants and Padres but I don’t predict that will translate to them reaching the playoffs. The Diamondbacks will regress without J.D. Martinez and the Dodgers are a sure bet to make the playoffs and most likely win the division. I think the Rockies will reach the playoffs as a Wild Card team once again, improving their win total three games with a record of 90-72.