Colorado Rockies: Four big questions and bold predictions

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 14: Fans follow the action on the baseball diamond between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorodo Rockis during the spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 14, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Like so many of you, I have been counting down the days until the Colorado Rockies once again take the field. Pitchers and catchers reporting and spring training getting underway sounds especially good on chilly days such as these in Denver.

But when the Colorado Rockies gather at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, there will still be plenty of questions to answer as Bud Black welcomes his team back into the fold.

We talked about one of the biggest questions facing Colorado the other day in this article. That rather large question mark is this: Who will replace Adam Ottavino in the Rockies bullpen? A pitcher who was so dominant on so many occasions last season will certainly be missed in late innings and clutch situations in 2019.

Sure, there are players who can step up to fill Ottavino’s role … but will they? That is the question that is nagging so many Colorado fans right now and one of the biggest reasons why there was so much angst when the deal with the New York Yankees was reported.

Of course, we don’t have a crystal ball to know the answer to that question … or some of the other burning questions entering the latter stages of the offseason. However, today, we’re going to take our best guesses. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of those questions and make some bold predictions.

PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 21: Garrett Hampson #7 of the Colorado Rockies warms up on deck during the third inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 21, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Who will replace DJ LeMahieu at second base?

Speaking of departures to the Bronx, Colorado’s former All-Star second baseman (LeMahieu) is joining Ottavino with the Yankees. The hole left behind by LeMahieu will have to be filled, both in the lineup and in the field.

Let’s not forget that the Rockies are not only losing an All-Star defender but also a former batting champion and one of the most familiar faces at the top of the lineup. Whether he was batting second or leadoff, there are plenty of moments in his career where LeMahieu made an impact for the Rockies.

You will hear some talk about Brendan Rodgers and his chances of starting at second base when the 2019 season opens in Miami. Don’t believe them. We talked about the reasons for that in this article as well as when he might be joining the Rockies in 2019.

Who will be the odd man out of the Colorado rotation?

Kyle Freeland. German Marquez. Tyler Anderson. Jon Gray. Chad Bettis. Antonio Senzatela. Entering spring training, those are the six names who will compete for a spot in the Colorado rotation this season. With the Rockies not employing a six-man rotation, someone will find himself in the bullpen.

The first four names on the list are very likely exactly how the rotation will lay out to start the campaign. If Anderson shows in spring training what he showed at the end of last season, he could easily be the third starter with Gray taking a role as the fourth starter as he works to prove himself again after a rough 2018. Meanwhile, Freeland and Marquez can build on what they did in 2018 and form an impressive 1-2 punch, with Freeland likely earning the Opening Day start in Miami.

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So that leaves Bettis and Senzatela to battle for the fifth and final spot. There has been plenty written about how Bettis is likely the odd man out of the rotation. However, let’s remember back to last season when Bettis started so strongly (3-1 with 2.43 ERA in six April starts). Could he show enough in spring training to once again grab the fifth spot?

Our prediction is yes, with Senzatela starting the season in the bullpen. Will it remain that way? It’s unlikely. Colorado has, for the most part, avoided the injury bug in its rotation over the last couple of seasons. Having that happen for a third campaign is unlikely. Luckily, the depth is there for the Rockies if and when something were to occur.

Bold prediction: The season starts with a Freeland-Marquez-Anderson-Gray-Bettis rotation but won’t look that way by the time Memorial Day rolls around.

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) /

Who will be the comeback player of the year for the Rockies in 2019?

Despite making the postseason again last year, there were plenty of players who didn’t live up to expectations for Colorado. Ian Desmond, Bryan Shaw, Jake McGee, Chris Rusin, Tony Wolters, Tom Murphy and Jon Gray are just some of the names who struggled last season.

That is a wide-ranging list of players … and isn’t even a complete list if you really want to stretch it out and say that Charlie Blackmon didn’t match previous years’ numbers and Nolan Arenado struggled after injuring his shoulder.

So who is the player most likely to rebound from last season’s poor performance? I’m putting my bet on Shaw. Yes, the only man to challenge Desmond in terms of boos endured at Coors Field last season will have a better season in 2019.

I know what you’re thinking. It can’t get much worse for Shaw, right? Signing a three-year deal and then not even making the postseason roster after losing your manager’s confidence isn’t exactly the way to endear yourself to the fan base in your debut season. However, there are too many signs from his days with the Cleveland Indians to think he won’t be able to turn his pitching around in 2019.

Bold prediction: With an offseason to work on what didn’t go right in 2018, Shaw will become Bud Black’s seventh-inning guy this season … and succeed in the role. Seunghwan Oh and Scott Oberg will see action in the eighth to set up closer Wade Davis.

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 11: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates hitting a walk-off, three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Colorado won 3-2. (Photo by Joe Mahoney/Getty Images) /

Who will be the breakout player of the year for the Rockies in 2019?

In a season where Colorado has plenty of young options to plug into the lineup and give meaningful innings to (by the way, isn’t that nice to hear, Rockies fans?), there are some solid candidates to explode on the scene for Colorado in 2019. The list includes David Dahl, Ryan McMahon, Garrett Hampson, Raimel Tapia and even Tom Murphy.

Dahl has already shown what he can do when healthy. He’s one of the few players mentioned above who received time in the lineup on a fairly consistent basis last season.

This year, that chance not only goes to Dahl, but also McMahon and Hampson for sure as they battle for time in the infield (as discussed earlier). While I predicted Hampson will win the Opening Day nod at second base, I’m also predicting that it’s McMahon who will shine the brightest among the next generation of Rockies in 2019.

We all remember what McMahon did on a pair of magical nights against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field last season. This season, with more at-bats, McMahon will put together even more moments to remember for the Rockies faithful.

Next. The six Rockies under the most pressure in 2019. dark

Bold prediction: After a slow start, McMahon catches fire at the plate in May and finishes the first half of the season hitting over .300 while nearly topping his previous career high in plate appearances.

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