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?