Colorado Rockies: Offense Performing as Expected

This week, Rox Pile’s Aaron Hurt took a look at the roller coaster Rockies season so far. Hurt pointed out that Bud Black has utilized 31 different lineups so far this season. No matter how you arrange those ‘pieces’, should the Rockies’ faithful really have expected anything better? We’ve seen enough games and data up to this point to make a few assessments. So, let’s take a look at how the line up as a whole, along with a few key players, are doing through the first month of the season…

As frustrating as they have been at times, nothing about the Rockies in the offseason or spring had ever alluded to this being a top offensive lineup. The Rox went all in on a blueprint that was completely centered on pitching. This offseason, Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich pushed all the chips to the center of the table with a hand of young, high-upside pitchers and a lock-down bullpen. The Rockies made no effort to improve offensively, though.

They replaced Mark Reynolds by rearranging players they already had. Chris Iannetta wasn’t an upgrade over Jonathan Lucroy, by any stretch. It was a wash, at best. Essentially, the Rockies said Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon will put together enough offense for the pitching staff to hang on and win games.