Colorado Rockies: 4 things we learned while covering spring training

Make no mistake about it, the young kids can play. The next generation of Rockies is ready to assume their roles as everyday players and big-time contributors. That whole question about whether “draft and develop” would pay off for the Rockies? Well, it has … and it will.

On the surface, in my mind, Ryan McMahon seems to have a slight edge over Garrett Hampson in the battle for the second base starting job. He has shown more consistency at the plate while Hampson has provided (as manager Bud Black likes to call it) “sneaky pop” with his surprising amount of early power. And let’s not forget about Pat Valaika, who seems very focused on putting his horrid 2018 behind him … and is coming through for the Rockies at the dish time and time again.

Colorado Rockies

We focus a lot on the players who are fighting for playing time when we talk about Colorado’s “young players.” However, one player who truly impressed me with his skills yet again is shortstop Trevor Story. Sure, we all know the player that Story was in 2018 and how he was even in the National League MVP talk for a stretch toward the end of last season. However, there is plenty of talk around Rockies camp about how Story has plenty of room to keep growing in his skills and what he can bring on offense and defense.

Story flashed his overall skill set on a series of plays while I was watching the Rockies and Los Angeles Angels at Salt River Fields. Story went down in the zone and, almost on one knee, hit a double to left-center that bounced off the wall. Story then proceeded to swipe third easily.

A combination of power and speed who boasts a Gold Glove-caliber defense is a beautiful thing for a player who often gets overshadowed by Nolan Arenado on the left side of the infield.

Colorado’s future is bright on the offensive side … but how about pitching?

I have said many times that Kyle Freeland will be Colorado’s Opening Day starter when the 2019 season opens on Thursday, March 28, in Miami against the Marlins. After being in camp and watching German Marquez and talking to some other players, I now think Marquez may draw the Opening Day nod.

Trust me, the Rockies are going to fine with either Freeland or Marquez on the mound, even in the house of horrors that Marlins Park has been for the Rockies in recent years. However, I like how Marquez has seemingly grown in his confidence over the winter. He even talked about a Cy Young Award possibility with us after a start … right before dominating with nine strikeouts in a three-inning outing in his next time on the mound. Here’s just how impressive that feat was.

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Freeland and Marquez are going to be very, very good this season. But what about the rest of the rotation?

Jon Gray impressed, both on the mound and in the locker room. He looks stronger physically and I think the new haircut is also an expression that he believes he is a different player. He certainly flashed his abilities against the Angels with five strikeouts and one hit allowed in four innings of work.

I think there are still some questions to be answered when it comes to Tyler Anderson, Chad Bettis and Antonio Senzatela filling in the back of the order … and maybe even what Jeff Hoffman and Peter Lambert can bring in those spots later in the season.

One pitcher I am worried about is Bryan Shaw. What I saw in Arizona gave me little belief that he will turn things around this season. I know it’s spring and I know Shaw has a history of bad springs … but his velocity was down and batters were having their way with him at the plate. That’s not good, no matter the time of year.

I will admit that I haven’t been as high on Raimel Tapia as other media members have been in the past. I’ve seen the defensive miscues and the free-swinging strike zone too much to feel confident in Tapia’s chances to consistently contribute. However, I do believe that Tapia has improved this offseason and will earn the fourth outfielder spot on the Opening Day roster.

While I was in Scottsdale, Tapia did enough at the plate to show that he can come through in situations where contact needs to be made to bring the runner home or move the runner over. A simple RBI groundout after getting into an 0-2 hole against the San Francisco Giants showed that. Now, those first two strikes were on pitches low and outside the zone (as was the third he barely fouled off) so there’s still work to do. However, Tapia has put on some muscle and seems to have reined himself in a bit at the plate when it comes to missing opportunities at the plate. That’s a very good sign.

I think that he and Hampson can both fill in in the outfield when needed and both have the speed to cover the wide expanses of Coors Field. Both also have the ability to be productive at the plate.

With Ian Desmond and Charlie Blackmon both in their 30s, it’s likely Tapia and Hampson will fill in at times for the veterans when needed. In spring, they have shown that they can do just that.

Some other random thoughts on positions and players…

I am worried about Colorado’s catchers. I understand the importance of having catchers who can manage their pitchers and be solid backstops. However, Chris Iannetta, Tony Wolters and Tom Murphy have had few flashes of brilliance on offense this spring. Right now, the eight hole in the lineup is looking like a black hole.

Carlos Estevez could be a guy who surprises at some point this season in the Rockies bullpen. I liked the stuff I saw and I liked his approach with attacking hitters. I talked about it more at length in this article.

Wade Davis and Seunghwan Oh have been used sparingly in the spring but both should be solid again in the back end of Colorado’s bullpen. With Scott Oberg once again showing good stuff, there could be some strong options to replace Ottavino’s production last season and get a close game into the hands of Davis.

One of the things that was mentioned to me several times while in Scottsdale was the “competitive nature” in the Colorado clubhouse, on everything from playing cards to shooting hoops. That competitive nature is helping the players push each other in the weight room and on the field, trying to get better. Nolan Arenado sets the example for that, often being one of the first players in for the day and getting his workouts in early. The guy who just signed a massive contract isn’t sitting back on his past accomplishments and counting his dollars. He’s setting the tone for the young players.

Sure, spring training statistics and results don’t matter. However, a lot of things that happen in spring training set the tone for the season to come. A lot can happen between now and March 28, but these are just a few of the thoughts I brought back with me to Colorado after a week in the Valley of the Sun.