Colorado Rockies: Storylines to watch heading into spring training

Can the starting rotation build off of last season’s success?

In 2018, the Rockies finished the season with 91 wins even though the offense had one of the worst statistical seasons in franchise history. The main reason for the team’s success was the play of the starting rotation led by Kyle Freeland and German Marquez.

Can these two develop into a legitimate one-two punch that can shut down any opposing offense or did they overachieve last season as many national pundits have suggest? Can Tyler Anderson find more consistency over 30 starts? Can Antonio Senzatela/Chad Bettis stay healthy? Most importantly, can Jon Gray forget about his dreadful ’18 performance and live up to the “Gray Wolf” moniker, getting back to being the “ace” of this rotation? If this young rotation can get better instead of regress in ’19, the Rockies could be extremely dangerous.

How long will it take before I write my first scathing article on Ian Desmond?

This is a joke … I think. If last season was any indication, a lot more heat will be on Desmond after he failed again to live up to his large contract. Last spring, it took me until March 7 before I waved the first warning signs of Desmond’s struggles and it carried through the season. The Rockies will need him to have a good season if they plan on making the playoffs for the third straight year.  A successful spring might take enough pressure off Desmond to allow him to relax and put up some solid numbers.

It has been a long and relatively quiet offseason for the Rockies but thankfully, it is finally over. Spring training is about to be in full swing and the countdown to Opening Day in Miami on March 28 is now on.