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Colorado Rockies: Four big questions and bold predictions

By Kevin Henry

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 10: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies points to the stands and celebrates after hitting a seventh inning go-ahead two-run homerun against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on August 10, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 10: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies points to the stands and celebrates after hitting a seventh inning go-ahead two-run homerun against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on August 10, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Antonio Senzatela of the Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 5: Starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela #49 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 5, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

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.

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