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Colorado Rockies series preview against the Miami Marlins

By Kevin Henry |
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Trevor Richards #63 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Marlins Park on September 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Trevor Richards #63 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Marlins Park on September 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
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Colorado Rockies pitcher
Colorado Rockies pitcher /

On Thursday afternoon, the Colorado Rockies will open the 2019 season in south Florida, taking on the Miami Marlins.

Miami has been a place that has not been kind to the Colorado Rockies in recent seasons. Colorado went 1-2 last season in Miami while scoring just two runs. In 2017 in Miami, all Rockies fans held their breath as Nolan Arenado was hit on the hand by a pitch and Colorado was swept in a three-game series. The season before, Colorado dropped three of four games in Miami.

OK, OK, you get it. You know south Florida is a historically tough place for the Rockies … and you also know this is where the 2019 season begins for the Rockies. Hmmmm.

Kyle Freeland will take the hill for Colorado in Thursday’s season opener, followed by German Marquez, Tyler Anderson and Jon Gray.

So what can you expect from the Marlins in this opening series? I mean, we already know the infamous statue beyond the outfield fence is gone … but what else? What kind of team will Miami field in 2019? To find these questions out (and more), we went straight to our colleagues over at MarlinManiac.com. Site expert Kevin Kraczkowski answered some of our questions as we prepare you for this season-opening four-game series.

Let’s dive in…

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 08: Lewis Brinson #9 of the Miami Marlins flips his bat after striking out in the sixth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 08: Lewis Brinson #9 of the Miami Marlins flips his bat after striking out in the sixth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Rox Pile: What do you expect to be Miami’s strengths and weaknesses this year?

Kraczkowski: It may surprise some outside the scope of Miami Marlins fandom, but the starting rotation is shaping up to be a strength. The projected two, three, and four starting pitchers, in no particular order Trevor Richards, Pablo Lopez, and Caleb Smith, simply wasted Major League level opponents through 2019 Spring Training.

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Richards, who led the Marlins with 130 Ks last year as a rookie, kept opponents to a 0.621 WHIP in five Spring Training starts, striking out 20 in 19.1 innings.

Lopez’ modest 0.5 WAR in only 10 starts last season actually ranked third on the Marlins pitching staff. This spring, he’s gone 3-0 with 16 Ks and only 10 hits allowed in 20 innings. He walked one.

Smith, who is on the tail end of rehab from a torn muscle that has kept him out of action for the past nine months, struck out 13, walked zero, and allowed two hits in nine innings.

Note: Official pitching matchups are Kyle Freeland vs. Jose Urena in the opener, German Marquez vs. Trevor Richards on Friday, Tyler Anderson vs. Pablo Lopez on Saturday, and Jon Gray vs. Sandy Alcantara on Sunday.

As for weaknesses, it’s not hard to find them. The bullpen is largely untested, the offense is going to struggle to hit home runs, and most of the best potential hitters in the organization struggle with the strikeout. Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison, and Peter O’Brien all strike out at a 30 percent clip (or greater).

NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 03: MVP Derek Jeter speaks onstage during the Muscular Dystrophy Association Celebrates 22 Years Of Annual New York Muscle Team Gala With MVP Derek Jeter And More on December 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Muscular Dystrophy Association)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 03: MVP Derek Jeter speaks onstage during the Muscular Dystrophy Association Celebrates 22 Years Of Annual New York Muscle Team Gala With MVP Derek Jeter And More on December 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Muscular Dystrophy Association) /

Rox Pile: What’s your opinion of Derek Jeter and his role in Miami so far?

Kraczkowski: Personally, I’ve been a big fan of Derek Jeter since he took over. Firstly, just based on the fact that he was replacing the worst owner in the history of U.S. organized sports, the despised Jeffrey Loria.

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Locally, and in the court of public opinion, Jeter took his lumps early on. He was criticized for not getting that much in return for Dee Gordon, Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, and Marcell Ozuna. That outlook was prevalent, but largely misguided. When you trade established players for prospects, the jury is out for two-to-five years.

It’s not fair to hold up Yelich and say, “Look at what he did,” while ignoring the fact that the Marlins got four pretty good prospects in return. Lewis Brinson projects to be better this year, Monte Harrison may have a productive 2020 and beyond, Isan Diaz should join the team around July, and Jordan Yamamoto may be one of the best arms in the Marlins’ minor league system.

The public opinion on Jeter seems to be coming around, but you shouldn’t necessarily expect Marlins Park to suddenly start selling out. It’s going to take time, and Jeter’s plan is long-term by design.

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – MARCH 09: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies stretches in the first inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 09, 2019 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – MARCH 09: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies stretches in the first inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 09, 2019 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Rox Pile: The NL East looks to be one of the toughest divisions in baseball this season. Does Miami have a chance to be competitive in 2019?

Kraczkowski: Yeah, it’s tough. All of the other four teams are largely expected to win 80 or more games, while the Marlins will be lucky to win 60.

I mean, they could be competitive. Isn’t that why they play the games?

Realistically though, Miami would have to battle for their lives to just finish fourth in the Thunderdome that is the NL East. The Phillies look spectacular, the Nationals are a complete team, and the Braves are always a threat. The only opening I see for the Marlins to finish “not last” is with the New York Mets … and good luck with that!

Rox Pile: Who is a young player to keep an eye on during the Rockies series and beyond?

Kraczkowski: Aside from the aforementioned 2-3-4 of Richards, Lopez and Smith, be on the lookout for Rule 5 pick, reliever Riley Ferrell. Picked off the Astros’ minor league system, he’s performed well enough through spring to stick with the team.

On the offensive side of the ball, look no further than J.T. Realmuto‘s replacement in the field and in the order, Jorge Alfaro, late of the Phillies. Alfaro had the second fastest home-to-first sprint speed in the majors last season, amongst catchers, second only to Realmuto. Alfaro will swing at anything, and almost never walks, but he does have legitimate power and calls a good game.

Next. Should we be worried about Tyler Anderson and the long ball?. dark

Renowned for his pitch framing abilities and strong arm as well, Alfaro is about the best we could have expected as a replacement for Realmuto, and he’s three years younger as well.

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