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Colorado Rockies: The six players under the most pressure in 2019

ByKevin Henry|
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 17: Bryan Shaw #29 of the Colorado Rockies leaves the mound after pitching against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 17, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 13-12. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 17: Bryan Shaw #29 of the Colorado Rockies leaves the mound after pitching against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 17, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 13-12. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 23: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 23: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Raimel Tapia
2018 stats: .200/.259/.480 (25 at-bats)

The subject of the young outfielder with “mucho swagger “ has been discussed in-depth on our site, including how Tapia was ranked as Colorado’s prize trading chip heading into this offseason.

Why is Tapia so valued as a trade chip? Because many view him as a prospect who has been blocked by veterans and leapfrogged by some of his contemporaries (including David Dahl and Noel Cuevas) on the Colorado depth chart. Can 2019 be the year that Tapia gets increased playing time and the ability to show off his skills.

Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies

We have all seen the flashes (including a huge grand slam in Arizona last season) but we have also seen the mistakes on the bases and in the outfield as well. Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich spoke about Tapia to Rox Pile and other media members in Las Vegas last week. He said he sees the soon-to-be-25-year-old Tapia with the chance to play more next season … if he takes advantage of his time on the field.

"“Some of it has to do with opportunity with play,” Bridich said. “Some of it has to do with relaxing with whatever opportunity you have to play at the Major League level and getting the job done.”"

Tapia is also out of options heading into next season, meaning he will have to be kept on the 25-man roster out of spring training if the Rockies choose to keep him around. Taking up a roster spot on Opening Day means pressure. Can Tapia show more signs for hope than head-scratching decisions?

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